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Strand Hill Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.4 (129)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte and Gunnison
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“One of the best rides in the valley. ”

Adam Kagy
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Map Key

7.5

Miles

12.0

KM

80%

Singletrack

9,749' 2,972 m

High

8,917' 2,718 m

Low

864' 263 m

Up

864' 263 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Views

One Way Only: This is designated as a directional trail.

Overview

One of the best bang for your buck flowy downhills that doesn't receive much traffic compared to the popular 401 trail.

Need to Know

The canal can be a bit high during early summer so bikes may have to be walked through when exiting via the canal trail. Always close the cattle guards behind you.

PARKING:
Large parking lot at Brush Creek Trail with ~1 mile of perfectly flat road to the start of Farris Road (nice stretch before the immediate uphill climb).
Limited parking at obvious off-road pull-offs between Farris and Canal Trail.
Parking on the shoulder/road is subject to tickets.

Description

3 1/2 miles out Brush Creek Road from its intersection with Hwy 135, Farris Creek Road climbs up a hill to the right. The big climb starts here.

Approx 3/4 mi into the dirt road climb you'll come to a trail intersection which should be signed. You'll want to take a left to keep climbing up to Strand. Another 1/2 mile after this you'll come to another intersection which is also signed. Left will take you on the Strand Bonus trail, but you'll want to take a right to stay on the road climbing higher.

Eventually you'll go through a cattle guard and the road will flatten and turn into singletrack where there's a meadow. Rest here, as the downhill fun is about to begin. After a wonderful downhill romp in the aspens, the trail drops between some tight aspens and over a short rocky section, makes a hard right turn and climbs a short steep hill. Not far after this you'll come to an intersection with the Canal Trail, take a left here.

The next intersection comes not too far up the trail, stay straight here to finish off with more downhill back to the canal crossing.

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 Andy Librande and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 129 votes

#3

in Crested Butte and Gunnison

#129

Overall
  4.4 from 129 votes
5 Star
54%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Crested Butte and Gunn…

#40

in Colorado

#129

Overall
12 Views Last Month
26,044 Since May 8, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
57%
15%
28%
0%
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Photos

It doesn't get much better in the fall than Strand Hill
Sep 25, 2017 near Crested…, CO
Wildflowers...are you kidding me!
Sep 22, 2015 near Crested…, CO
Follow the leader, with Teocalli looming in the distance on the Canal Trail.
Jul 26, 2017 near Crested…, CO
Strand Hill in the fall.... one of the best in the Crested Butte area
Sep 26, 2019 near Crested…, CO
The singletrack on Strand Hill is truly amazing - a must ride in CB!
Jul 26, 2017 near Crested…, CO
Riding a short technical section lined with rocks & roots!
Oct 18, 2017 near Crested…, CO

6 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 74 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 21, 2024
Jeremy Kenny
Jun 13, 2024
Marielle Galanto
6/7/24 - steep and long uphill to start, fun and flowly downhill. Technical and rocky some downhill parts. FUN!
Sep 11, 2023
Beck M
Aug 31, 2023
Tyler Conquest
Jul 18, 2023
Carter Young
really gorgeous!! 7.5mi
Jul 7, 2023
TC MJ
So much fun with the whole family — 2h 54m
Sep 26, 2022
Private User
Sep 20, 2022
Quang Huynh

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