Adventures for the Kiddos

by Katherine Nettles

Crested Butte summers are about appreciating the little (and big) things this remarkable corner of the Rockies has to offer. The easy access to trails and open spaces encourages people of all ages to explore at their own pace and spend more time in the moment, appreciating the beauty that surrounds. It would take a lifetime (or more) to experience everything you can do here in paradise, so just find a few adventures your family members might enjoy and allow extra time for magic to be found in a short rainburst mid-hike (followed by a rainbow), a pastel patch of wildflowers or simply riding singletrack on a bike for the first time.

Even a quick playground session warrants bringing water, snacks, sunscreen and extra clothing layers – weather can change fast in the West Elk Mountains!

TRAILS EVERYWHERE

There are trails in almost every direction from town. Most can be satisfying even if you can’t complete them—so go at your own pace and your own distance. Little legs and big imaginations can marvel at a stream crossing or an aspen grove without caring whether they did any real mileage. You can always go farther the next time, but those first experiences on a trail, ride or river adventure offers a sense of discovery that just shouldn’t be rushed.

For quick access from town, consider the recreation path between the town of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte, the Woods Walk and Lower Loop out Peanut Lake Road, or Tony’s Trail.

A quick drive out of town brings you to the Baxter Gulch Trailhead, where aspen forest shades the first mile on sunny days and the views of Crested Butte Mountain are tough to beat. Or go a little farther through Skyland and head to the double-wide Brush Creek trail, which dips in and out of the forest. Out in the Crested Butte South area, the Lower Cement Creek Trail parallels the road and maintains a pretty mellow grade and has multiple access points depending on how far you want to go. Teddy’s Trail is another trail that leaves from the Snodgrass parking area at the top of Gothic Road, and winds through beautiful wetlands, wildflower meadows and aspen forest before revealing a jaw-dropping view of Crested Butte Mountain and town down below.

Several hikes in the Gothic area such as Judd Falls, Copper Creek and the Deer Creek trails offer easy access and are a bit longer and more challenging than the trails mentioned above. Bring bug spray as there are sometimes horse flies in this area.

PARKS/PLAYGROUNDS

For toddlers, Henderson Park at Third and Whiterock Avenue is an easy pocket park to stop at after dining or shopping on Elk Avenue, as is Three Ladies Park on Butte Avenue near First Street.

The larger playgrounds like Pirate Park (on Seventh behind the Center for the Arts), Rainbow Park (at Eighth and Gothic Avenue) or Red Mountain Park (on Teocalli Road in CB South) have adjacent ball fields to keep the older kids entertained as well.

Mt. Crested Butte’s Ted Scheske Park is located north of the ski area on Gothic Road and has a small playground, beautiful gardens and connects right to the rec path.

The Crested Butte Bike Park behind the Crested Butte Community School has a pump track in town with a balance bike loop, graduated jumps and obstacles.

The Big Mine Skate Park on Belleview and Third Street has all the fun features for skateboarding and scootering, and is conveniently across the street from Mikey’s Pizza, where kids love to grab a slice and a soda.

Up on the mountain, Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Adventure Park has gold panning, a climbing wall and a bungee jump trampoline.

LAKE LIFE

Lake Irwin and Lost Lake have room for bigger non-motorized boats and canoes, and have a plethora of one- to five-mile hiking loops. Set up a base camp near the shore, then swim, hike and paddle the day away. Get there early to get a “beach” spot and calmer water before afternoon winds pick up.

*There are river outfitters for half-day or full-day rafting or fishing trip on the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers (see page 56).

INDOOR OPTIONS

The Trailhead Children’s Museum on Elk Avenue is a creative haven with arts and crafts, STEM activities, make-believe areas and more. Drop in or sign your child up for a day camp while you go out on your own adventure.

The Old Rock Library is only a block away from the Trailhead Children’s Museum, and is filled with books, puzzles, games and activity kits kids can check out. The library also hosts summer storytime hours.

The library updates the Storywalk along the Lower Loop each year with a new children’s book and illustrations installed along the trail.

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum has an old-fashioned model train depicting Crested Butte in its early days, exhibits about mining, mountain biking, hunting, skiing and other seasonal themes. There’s also a gift shop featuring a number of locally crafted goods.

The Gunnison Recreation Center offers an aquatics center, a climbing wall, mat room and gymnasium for inclement weather, or as a stop on the way to or from Hartman Rocks Recreation Area.

CAMPS

If you are looking for day camps during your stay, here are a few:  Check out the Trailhead Children’s Museum (trailheadkids.org) for art and outdoor exploration camps or Crested Butte Mountain Resort (skicb.com) for adventures and bike programs for children starting at ages five and up. The Mindful Toolbox (themindfultoolbox.org) offers kids mindfulness classes, camps and yoga parties.