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Doctor Park

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.6 (271)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Almont
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“A local favorite with a tough grind of a climb, then fast, flowy singletrack as a reward. ”

Michael Ahnemann
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Map Key

20.1

Miles

32.3

KM

40%

Singletrack

10,913' 3,326 m

High

8,335' 2,540 m

Low

2,734' 833 m

Up

2,719' 829 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Views

Generally, open from June - October. Closed in the Winter/Spring until the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend for Big Horn Sheep habitat. One Way Only: This is designated as a directional trail.

Overview

Many riders familiar with the Crested Butte area call this one of their favorite rides. Although the ride starts with a slow grind of a climb up a jeep road, there are a few great views along the way. Once the climbing is done and the trail turns to singletrack, riders are rewarded with five miles of fast descent - it's technical and rocky at first, then smooth and flowy before turning technical and challenging again towards the bottom.

Need to Know

This ride can be done as a loop, starting and finishing in the North Bank Campground, or it can be shuttled. If you choose to ride from the campground, get ready for an 8 mile slog up the dirt road (Spring Creek Road). If you shuttle, you should be able to find plenty of space to park along the road as you near the turnoff for Doctor Gulch trail (554).

Description

One-way is not required, but highly recommended. After climbing up Spring Creek Road, either on your bike or in the car, the true ride starts at the turnoff for Doctor Gulch trail (554) and almost immediately crosses a river (Spring Creek). The river crossing could be rideable when the river is low, but beware - it's at least 20 feet across, the water can easily be above your hubs in places, and it can run quickly enough to knock you off your bike. It's easiest to take your shoes off to keep them dry, and walk across a series of flat rocks, carrying your bike.

Once you've crossed the river, it's a bit of a grind as you head up the 4wd road. The first mile is relatively gradual climbing. At the 1 mile point, look for a right turn to stay on 554, and here the road gets steep. It's granny gear climbing at times as you gain altitude to get on top of the ridge. As you climb, start looking off to the right and you'll eventually see some expansive views of the valley looking back across Spring Creek Road.

After a quick rest to take in the scenery towards the top of the ridge, you'll climb a bit further and enter thick forest. Here the ground is almost always damp, sometimes extremely muddy, with plenty of slimy roots to slip you up. After winding through the mostly flat trail through the forest for about a mile, you'll emerge into a grassy meadow. This is where the true Doctor's Park experience starts as the trail heads downhill.

The descent starts on narrow, smooth singletrack, then gets more technical with some steep sections and many rocks and small steps to drop over. Eventually the trail smooths out, and rewards riders with 3 miles of smooth, fast riding that will make you want to descend forever.

The final part of the descent gets technical again, and the trail surface turns from smooth, tacky dirt to loose, dry sand. The final 1/2 mile has some very steep sections with rocks to drop down, and lots of rock lining both sides of the trail. Your brakes will be hot as you negotiate the final few turns and emerge back into the North Bank Campground.

Contacts

Local Club: Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association

Land Manager: USFS - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison Nat. Forests

Shared By:

Michael Ahnemann with improvements by San Juanderer and 3 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 271 votes

#1

in Almont

#43

Overall
  4.6 from 271 votes
5 Star
72%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Almont

#10

in Colorado

#43

Overall
47 Views Last Month
71,182 Since Nov 14, 2012
Difficult Difficult
0%
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5%
3%
89%
3%
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Photos

Aspen awesomeness!
Oct 17, 2013 near Crested…, CO
The Jedi Woods section of Doctor Park might be the most fun you can have on two wheels.
Oct 2, 2017 near Crested…, CO
Halfway through the Jedi Woods section of Doctor Park.
Oct 31, 2016 near Crested…, CO
Summertime on the Jedi Woods section of Doctor Park is just as good as the fall!
Jul 31, 2019 near Crested…, CO
Diving down into the aspens
Sep 21, 2017 near Crested…, CO
The scenery improves the enjoyment of the tough climb
Sep 21, 2017 near Crested…, CO

11 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 76 days ago
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Check-Ins

Oct 11, 2024
Keith R
Road is currently closed to people, bikes, UTV and vehicles. Sign present about 1 mile from the state highway road.
Aug 30, 2024
Dylan Walker
Aug 20, 2024
Jordan Heinrichs
Spring creek road is closed for bridge rebuilding as of 8/4/24 I was there 8/20/24. I dont see an open date so check before you go. It is not possible 3mi
Aug 12, 2024
Nathan Broom
Was still open as of August 12, but could be closed any day because two bridges are being fixed on Spring Creek Rd.
Aug 4, 2024
Amanda Deen
20mi
Jul 28, 2024
Drew Redfern
Jul 27, 2024
Jeremy Kenny
Jul 27, 2024
Rebecca Whiteman

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Stewarded by Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association
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