![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2019/i-HKmx6N2/0/b3a66875/L/14Jul19_2-L.jpg)
Crested Butte
Hi folks! Recently, Snowcatcher and I visited one of our favorite haunts. Crested Butte sits at the base of the West Elk Mountains on the west, the Elk Mountains to the north, and the Sawatch Mountains to the east.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2019/i-7Lh33Fp/0/17dbe6ce/L/14Jul19_1-L.jpg)
We arrived midday and had a beautiful afternoon ride. It was crystal clear all afternoon — no wind, no thunderstorms, dry trails, and lots of wildflowers. The following pics were shot from the Upper Lower Loop trail.
Crested Butte is considered by many to be the wildflower capitol of Colorado. Perhaps. Several hours to the southwest, in the San Juan Mountains, are some pretty awesome wildflower beds as well. Nonetheless, Crested Butte’s flowers are spectacular.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2019/i-HXj5JWn/0/051a541c/M/14Jul19_8-M.jpg)
Below is Mount Crested Butte from the Slate River. We were riding the Lower Lower Loop trail, which begins in town and heads toward the snow. We didn’t have the time to ride to the snow, but it was close. Mount Crested Butte touches the sky at 12,162 feet.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2019/i-XG5RHdd/0/a97e33b3/L/14Jul19_4-L.jpg)
In the background and several ridges over is Gothic Mountain, rising to 12,625 feet. It towers over the Rocky Mountain Biological Research station and the East River.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2019/i-8f8Mgp5/0/ef51c574/M/14Jul19_9-M.jpg)
Thanks for reading.
Adios