Crested Butte Has Been Ruined
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008It had been a long time since I’d been to Crested Butte, but I had really good memories of it years ago. So when I built this website I included a page for the road up from Gunnison, but had no pictures to show what it was like.
Well, this summer I finally got up that way again and I was a bit chagrined. First of all, despite my “memory” the road is no big deal. It’s certainly not worth going out of your way to ride this road when there are so many truly terrific roads in Colorado to ride.
Second, oh my god, what have they done to Crested Butte?! This beautiful, picturesque little town has been engulfed with condos, malls, and everything else from which it was once a refuge. So I can’t even suggest you go to Crested Butte for the town. The old part of town is still there but it is totally touristed out. The mountains are still beautiful, but that’s about it. It’s not worth the trip. Don’t go.
Really, about the only reason to go to Crested Butte now, as far as I can see, is to ride Gunnison County Road 12 over Kebler Pass. This gravel road is in good condition, even good enough for Gold Wings, and comes out onto CO 133 along the south side of McClure Pass.
I’m sorry, all you Chamber of Commerce types in Crested Butte, I just call things the way I see them.
Biker Quote for Today
Life is too short for bad rides.
