Lily Lake Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Views

This bidirectional loop is most commonly enjoyed clockwise and provides great views of Ohio Pass, high alpine meadows and Lily Lake and contains a mix of pavement, doubletrack and singletrack riding. Much of this loop is shaded and holds
snow/ice early and late season.

No restrooms at trailhead. Loop can be ridden both ways, but CW allows you to end on a fun downhill right by your car that would not be nearly as much fun to climb up.

Starting from the Lily Lake trailhead on County Road #730, bike north on CR #730 which will turn into CO Hwy 12 heading back toward Crested Butte. Cruise the road for just over a mile and a half until you see the start of the 4x4 road, Splains Gulch Road #885, on the right. Start up this dirt road and get half of the climbing out of the way before you turn right onto Lily Lake Trail 639.

Once on Lily Lake Trail 639, continue climbing up along the drainage on old mining doubletrack that will eventually level out at the top with views of the Lily Lake meadow with Lily Lake situated on the west end. There are side trails on both ends of the meadow to go explore the lake and its massive lily pads. At 1.9 miles, on the southern side of the loop, the trail does a hairpin right turn, to the left is a defined side trail that leads to an expansive viewpoint of the southern side of Ohio Pass, but this is NOT the trail.

After taking in the views, get back on the original trail and follow the singletrack as it skirts the edge of the forest. Soon after leaving the meadow, you'll be descending a fast and rowdy downhill with several drainage berms to clock some air time on. Before you know it, you'll be back at your car.

Several indications around the lake area of past mining operations.