Deer Creek Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Deer creek is a fairly long ride that isn't to be taken lightly. If starting from town it offers up over 3000ft of vertical. While popular in Crested Butte guide books, this trail has a love/hate relationship with many of the locals. For some people it can seemingly have endless uphill while not having a rewarding downhill at the end like many of other nearby rides. While this can deter many people from riding this trail, the wildflowers and views of the east river valley and north face of Mt. Crested Butte can be worth it. If you're looking for a long downhill look elsewhere, but if you're a staunch cross country rider looking to get away from crowds this very well may be a top ride for you.

To ride it from Brush Creek, start in town and ride south on the bike path that parallels highway 135. Turn left on Brush Creek Road (County Road 738) and pass the entrance to Skyland. Keep riding out Brush Creek Road past Farris Creek Road and the Strand Hill rides and start to climb up to a Y intersection. At the "Y", stay left and begin climbing more steeply on West Brush Creek Road. The right takes you up East Brush Creek toward Trail 400 and Pearl Pass. The climb gets a little tougher at this point, then levels out before coming to another split in the road. Take another left onto Deer Creek Road. Right takes you further up West Brush Creek toward the Teocalli Ridge Trail. There are wooden signs at these intersections directing you.

Deer Creek continues to climb up a rough doubletrack. Go through a gate at the top of this climb and continue about 1/4 mile to another split in the road. Go left again and ride steeply down down through some aspens. Follow the doubletrack to its end, where the Deer Creek singletrack begins.

After two creek crossings, the trail starts to climb steadily and steeply. The top is a great place to recover and have bite to eat.

From here, the trail weaves and bobs its way along the flanks of Whiterock Mountain, with several descents and a couple stinger ascents, and plenty of fast rolling singletrack sections.

Toward the end of the singletrack, the trail veers hard left at some private property. There is a sign here, dont miss it! Continue to the left through the meadows, then curve right and down to a doubletrack. Take a right on this rough road and ride out to Gothic Road (the main gravel road). Turn left on Gothic Road and head back to Mt. Crested Butte and into town.