Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Course

Race - Sep 1, 2019

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

The Grand Traverse Mountain Bike race will start at 7:00 a.m. at Ajax Park, located at 1001 S Ute Ave. This is a neutral mass start, rolling out on pavement for approximately 2 1/2 blocks until intersecting the junction of the gravel surfaced Summer Road (CR -14).

Riders will launch directly into a sustained 3,208 ft. climb over 5 miles, ascending to the summit of Aspen Mountain. From here, riders depart the Aspen Mountain Ski Area boundary and set off over the rolling traverse of Richmond Ridge Road (CR-15E).

No water crossings until Upper West Brush Creek.

The Mountain Bike start is 7:00 a.m. at Ajax Park, located at 1001 S, Ute Ave, in Aspen.

Riders roll out from a neutral start for approximately three blocks before making a left turn onto the Aspen Mountain Summer Road (CR -14), where upon encountering dirt, the race begins, with riders launching into a sustained 3,300 ft. climb over 5 miles, ascending to the summit of Aspen Mountain. AID #1 will be distributed here, as well as, an enforced 9:00 AM CUT-OFF.

Departing the Ski Area boundary riders set off over a rolling traverse on Richmond Ridge Road (CR-15E).

At mile 9.5, riders begin their second sustained climb of 1,292 ft. over 3.4 miles. After an intervening 300 ft. descent, leading back into a 300 ft. climb, followed by another 300 ft. descent, racers arrive at AID #2 (mile 16.8) and the Taylor Pass Checkpoint. A 11:30 a.m. CUT-OFF will be imposed.

Riders continue on a moderate doubletrack descent for 4.5 miles. At mile 18.3, the route begins an alpine ascent to the top of Star Pass, and the doubletrack transforms into singletrack at mile 20.5. Once over Star Pass, riders embark on a relentless 11.4 mile descent down the Brush Creek drainage.

Singletrack turns back into doubletrack at mile 23.4 (FS Road 738.2B). Continuing to mile 28.5, riders will divert off the jeep road, forking to the south (LEFT) onto the Death Pass singletrack traverse, a narrow off camber section skirting a steep escarpment. Take caution on this exposed section! Arriving on the opposite end of the singletrack, riders continue STRAIGHT, regaining the doubletrack road (FS Road 738.2B)

The road descends briefly, crossing a cattle guard, soon leading to the wide, West Brush Creek crossing. Immediately after the water crossing, the road gently climbs on a cross slope trajectory. The top of this climb opens into a meadowed area with numerous dispersed campsites. CAUTION - vehicular traffic becomes a hazard from here until AID #3. The route continues onto a sustained descent to the valley floor where doubletrack transitions to dirt grated Country Road 738. The course continues down valley on level road surface, until crossing over the East River bridge, the road begins a 0.25 miles climb up to AID #3 (Mile 35.8) Riders unable to depart this check point by 2:30 p.m. will be CUT-OFF and asked to ride themselves into the Town of Crested Butte via Brush Creek Road to Hwy 135.

Departing AID #3, the route returns to singletrack (FS Trail 435.1 - "Upper Upper Trail"), presenting racers a 470 ft. stinger over 0.5 miles. After twisting descents through the "bridges" section of the Upper Upper trail, riders will continue on to their last climb, ascending through a technical rock section. This last 700 ft. climb over 1.4 miles tops out at Hunter Hill Road.

Intersecting pavement, racers bare to the RIGHT, following course marking to the San Moritz condo parking lot connecting to the San Moritz singletrack trail. This trail propels racers on to a descending finish at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Historic Grand Travers Ski race heads in the reverse direction.