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Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadman's Gulch

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.3 (113)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte and Gunnison
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“A Crested Butte classic with 3 distinct uphills and 3 distinct downhills ”

Adam Kagy
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Map Key

18.9

Miles

30.4

KM

75%

Singletrack

11,130' 3,392 m

High

9,447' 2,879 m

Low

3,253' 991 m

Up

3,272' 997 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Technical · Views

Overview

The first segment of Reno road offers up the toughest and longest climb, but you'll be rewarded with some ripping downhill. After that there are only 2 other shorter climbs. Note: There are over 30 switchbacks on the deadman's downhill.

Need to Know

Bring plenty of water and a bite to eat since this ride has over 3000ft of vert. Use caution as this trail system is also used by moto bikes.

The third climb on this ride is heavily impacted by motor bikes. After rain the sand can turn to peanut butter.

The last descent with switchbacks also has moto damage.

Description

From the parking lot, ride up Cement Creek Road, cross over Cement Creek on a large culvert, and switchback up. On the right will be a well worn but unmarked shortcut, take this or continue to the marked junction of Reno Divide Road 759. Go right and climb steadily for about 5 miles to the top of Reno Divide.

At the top of Reno Divide is a good place for lunch. The views to the west are of Teocalli Mountain and Double Top. To the north is Italian Mountain and east is Matchless Mountain and the Spring Creek drainage.

Ride through the gate and straight ahead onto the marked Flag Creek singletrack. CBMBA and the Forest Service recently reworked this smooth section of trail, so get ready for one of the best downhill runs anywhere. After three miles you'll cross a compacted gravel "bridge." Shortly after this you'll enter the dark timber where your next right turn is.

There is a small sign here marking the Bear Creek Trail. If you come to a road crossing, youve gone too far. Take the right trail, cross a creek and climb up another creek drainage. This trail climbs, sometimes steeply, into an open marshy area. Veer right here passing an old closed trail on the left, and climb to the dirt road. GO LEFT on this road. (The singletrack straight ahead leads up to the Reno Ridge trail. Dont be tempted!) Follow the road three quarters of a mile to where it forks, go right and then ride straight ahead and over a dirt berm and across a road onto the signed continuation of the Bear Creek Trail.

Get ready for an awesome downhill! This section has been reworked lately as well and is in the best shape that Ive ever seen it. Plan on minimal brake wear as you rocket down Bear Creek. There are a few rough spots towards the bottom, but mostly its buffed all the way down. About 3 and 1/2 miles down, the Deadmans Gulch trail turns right. This is a good place to refuel for the last climb; take the Deadmans Gulch trail to the right and gear down for a longer than expected climb. Pass the Cement Mountain Trail that comes in from the left and make the last push to the top. The trail gets a bit steeper near the top which can wreak havoc on already tired legs. At the top pass the Reno Ridge Trail coming in from the right.

Go straight through a small barbed-wire fence and begin a newly reworked, switchback-filled descent to Cement Creek. There are over 30 switchbacks here! At the bottom is the cement creek crossing. The forest service recently destroyed the makeshift bridge Crossing Cement creek for liability reasons, so use caution early in the year when water is high.

Contacts

Local Club: Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association

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

Shared By:

Adam Kagy with improvements by Bill Poole and 3 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 113 votes

#4

in Crested Butte and Gunnison

#160

Overall
  4.3 from 113 votes
5 Star
49%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#4

in Crested Butte and Gunn…

#49

in Colorado

#160

Overall
27 Views Last Month
28,495 Since May 8, 2013
Difficult Difficult
1%
0%
17%
7%
75%
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Photos

A full tour ride with aerial drone footage of this route (all 3 descents; Flag, Bear, Deadman's).
Aug 26, 2021 near Crested…, CO
A small part of the incredible Bear Creek descent on RFBD.
Oct 31, 2016 near Crested…, CO
Long climb out to the finish.
Oct 12, 2016 near Crested…, CO
Flowy singletrack.
Oct 12, 2016 near Crested…, CO
Fast, flowy, and the perfect pitch for not touching your brakes for about 3 miles.
Jul 31, 2019 near Crested…, CO
Flag trail downhill
May 8, 2013 near Crested…, CO

8 Comments

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Check-Ins

Sep 21, 2023
Private User
Jul 30, 2023
Sean McKeown
Trail is pretty well trashed by motos. The 2nd and 3rd climbs have a fair bit of hike-a-bike due to sand and ruts. Descents are ok, not worth it.
Jul 30, 2022
Sarah Emilie Boivin
18.9mi — 8h 23m
Jun 21, 2021
david hartford
Sep 4, 2020
Dave Kaplan
Aug 22, 2020
Jillian Jackson
Aug 10, 2020
Celeste Cannon
Very dusty from the motorcycles but super fun! My favorite route in CB so far! 20mi — 3h 30m
Aug 9, 2020
Celeste Cannon
Accidentally went up Deadman to start so ended up going over Reno Ridge for some bonus miles. Very loose and dusty but super fun!! 21mi — 4h 00m

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