Basics
- Location:
- Crested Butte, Aspen
- Length:
- 40 miles
- Aerobic Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Time To Allow:
- 1 - 2 days
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 8925 feet
- Season:
- July-September
Description
Pearl Pass is a classic ride for bikers in both the Crested Butte and Aspen areas. A dirt roadway, Pearl Pass road is a forty mile one way trip, connecting the two towns and climbing to 12,100 feet above sea level.
A two-day ride on Pearl Pass is a fun way to explore the mountains between Crested Butte and Aspen. Typically riders ride one way, stay overnight in whichever town as at the other end of the roadway and then ride back in the morning. Many riders decide to only go one way and have a car shuttle waiting on the other side.
From Crested Butte the climb to Pearl Pass is a grunt, gaining almost 4000 vertical in fifteen miles of riding. From Aspen it is a bit easier. There are 4x4 vehicles allowed on the roadway and riders should plan accordingly. In addition, the ride downhill can be quite brisk at such high elevation and extra layers do come in mighty handy.
Details
Location:
Length:
Car shuttle or two day trip
Difficulty:
Aerobic Difficulty:
Time To Allow:
1 day if one-way. 2 days if ridden out and back.
Trailhead Elevation:
High elevation riding
Season:
Additional Details:
While riding any trail system it is a great idea to include a repair kit and first aid kit. Pearl Pass is a multi-use trail and hikers, horseback riders, vehicles and other trail users may be seen along the way. Please be considerate on the trails and understand right of way protocol. Pearl Pass is very remote and is located in high elevation mountains. This area can experience sudden weather shifts, so riders should bring appropriate warm layers in anticipation of this.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Crusted Butte take 135 south to Brush Creek Road. Head north on Brush Creek Road FS 748 and just keep going till you hit Aspen.
