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© Copyright 2008, Mountain Kids
Magazine, LLC

Summer 2008
Gunnison/Crested Butte Colorado Family
Activity Guide

Family Friendly Hiking Guide

Want to know where to go with a baby jogger, a toddler or need ideas for other school age kid hikes?

Of course, if you have a teenager, they probably want to be more challenged and you can refer to other sources for more information. Timber, Talus, & Tundra by Mary Anne Tarr is available at most local bookstores, as well as Hiking in Heaven by Denis B. Hall. Topo maps, forest service maps, Curecanti National Park maps and more are available at bookstores and sporting good stores.



Important Rules:
• Vigilant supervision is mandatory when you’re near any body of water, whether it’s a small pond, some spring snow run-off, or a raging high and fast river. Stay away from irrigation ditches: They’re extremely dangerous.

• The slowest person sets the pace. Don’t let the faster kids take off. It’s prudent and safer to keep them in sight at all times.

• Bring water. It might be heavy to carry, but thirst on the trail is a hazard.

• Our weather changes rapidly and can go from a hot morning to an afternoon drenched with rain, hail storms, or snow at higher elevations. Pack a jacket, preferably one that provides rain and wind protection. Dress in layers.

• Wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. The ultraviolet rays are intense and reflect off of the snow, water and boulders. You can get a painful sunburn even in sub-freezing temperatures.

• Be aware of lightning. If it happens, descend rapidly, avoid isolated trees, and run into a forest if possible. Do not sit or lie down. Get away from lakes or rivers and seek shelter.

• Be aware of snowfields, those large expansions of snow up in the mountains. There may be plenty of them all summer long since we had over 400 inches of snow last winter. We recommend keeping the kids away.

• April to July is tick season so remember to check for ticks after your hike.

• Bring lightweight snacks, even if the hike is short.
Most importantly, your children will remember these hiking experiences long into their adulthood. It’s the journey — not the destination — that all ages will enjoy.

Baby Jogger Hikes

Ready-to-Roll
A nationwide trend is taking off in Gunnison. “Ready-to-Roll,” a stroller fitness class founded by Katie Moskowitz, commences this summer in Legion Park. This is for moms wanting to work out but who never have the time because of the children. All you need to bring is yourself, your stroller and your child. You can get a great workout with other moms in a fun, energizing and comfortable environment. Classes include warm up, upper and lower body sessions, and the core (for the belly from the baby). This is also a healthy way to promote exercise and positive interaction with your child. Katie has her Masters Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The classes are to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Session 1 is May 1 to July 1. Session 2 is July 29 to September 30. Meet at Legion Park in Gunnison.

The cost is $5.00 per class and there are two ways to pay. Payment 1: $85.00 for 18 classes and a $10.00 exercise band that will be needed for class. (This is a $15.00 discount for signing up for the entire session). Payment 2: $25.00 punch card that is good for five classes. You will also need to purchase a $10 .00 exercise band that is yours to keep. Punch cards will be available throughout the session. For more information and registration, call Katie at (970) 586-6227.

County Roads
In Gunnison, Crested Butte, Pitkin, Taylor Canyon and all of the surrounding areas, you can take your baby jogger down dirt county roads. Some suggestions are Lost Canyon Rd. (CR 743), Mill Creek (CR727 – stay on the road), and Hartman Rocks (be sure to have a map). In Crested Butte, try the Lower Loop Trail which is at the end of CR4m an extension of Butte Ave. The trail is marked. Some forest service roads are also suitable for a baby jogger stroll and you can get a map from the forest service at 216 N. Colorado in Gunnison (970) 641-0471. Be aware of the traffic and the times of day when the roads are busiest. If it’s a dry day, lots of dust will be flying when vehicles pass. Warning: Be sure not to take your baby jogger on anything rocky and steep as it is unstable and dangerous. Always remember to wear the safety strap around your wrist.

Mt. Crested Butte/Crested Butte Recreation Path
At the end of Teocalli Ave. in Crested Butte, the recreation path starts its concrete trail. You don’t have to go all the way to the top, as there are lots of things to do and see along the way. A short stroll takes you to Slate River, or go a little further to enjoy the ducks in the protected Wetlands area. You can also take the bus one way and do the walk one way. Baby joggers are allowed on the bus, but your children must ride on your lap.

Toddler Hikes
Toddlers are an interesting age group! They are pretty much non-directional and don’t necessarily need a destination. They are interested in sticks, rocks, leaves, bugs and whatever catches their eye.

Play games with toddlers to keep their interest. Look for colors in nature that match colors in their clothes. Sing songs, play follow the leader, and have fun.

It’s good for them to get out in the fresh air and explore. Hikes allow your toddler to have a little independence as you both also enjoy the outdoors.

The Woods Walk in Crested Butte is an excellent choice. The trails all end up back on the main trail, so don’t worry about getting lost. Drive up Kebler Pass about 1/3 mile and you’ll see a parking pull-off on your left. Across the street from the parking area, you’ll see a log “Trappers Crossing” sign. You’ll also see a street marked “Treasury Rd.” Between these two landmarks is the trailhead. Bring snacks, some water and enjoy!

Take a drive up past the Town of Gothic on FR 317. Once you pass the town, there are several areas to pull off and just hang out by the East River. The road is level and you don’t need a 4x4 until you are on the other side of Schofield Pass (which, I don’t believe will be open for a long time this summer).

Neversink Trail is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area (www.nps.gov/cure/) and is a flat trail that follows the Gunnison River. Let the toddlers explore their surroundings while they listen to the current flowing over the river rock. It’s located about five miles west of Gunnison off of Hwy 50.

Drive up to Lake Erwin (CR12, an extension of Whiterock Ave. in Crested Butte). It’s approximately six miles to the turnoff and then another 2.5 miles to the lake from there. When you reach the lake, drive over the dam and park to your immediate left or right. The path begins just past the picnic tables next to the lake and it skirts the lake on one side. The path is straight and flat. If you have a choice to go right or left, always veer left. You’ll pass the lake and continue on the path through a wooded area until the path dead ends at a stream with a waterfall on your left. The kids can play in the water and there is a bench across the stream for sitting and viewing. You may need to carry the little ones a bit, but not too much.

Kid Hikes
There are just so many, it’s hard to decide what to edit out of this section!

For archived hikes including favorites such as Lost Lake, Beaver Ponds Trail, The Caves/Walrod Area Loop, Long Lake, Dillon Pinnacles and Judd Falls visit www.mountainkidsmagazine.com.

Taylor Canyon is the focus of this summer’s issue.

The easy trails are as follows:
Harmel’s Resort is used as a landmark to find these trails. It is located approximately six miles up CR742, through Almont and up Taylor Canyon on Taylor River Road.
River Trail – Cross Harmel’s bridge across the Taylor River and turn left at cabin #15. Pass #17 and follow the trail until you reach One-Mile campground.

Beaver Creek – Hike across Harmel’s bridge , through the gate and past the summer homes. The trail will curve to the left and follow Beaver Creek. This is also a horse trail (watch your step!) and no bikes are allowed.

Gunnison Mountain Park – A 1.5-mile walk traversing the mountainside in the City of Gunnison’s Mountain Park. Located approximately four miles down the CR 742 past Almont.
The easy to moderate trails are as follows:

Union Park Trail – The trailhead is out of Lottis Creek Campground on the Taylor River Road. The trail follows the creek to Union Park meadows. It is approximately four miles round trip.

Doctor’s Park – The trailhead is at the north end of North Bank Campground, just north of Harmel’s. The 4-mile long trail follows Brown’s gulch through Aspen groves and ends up in Doctor’s Park, an open alpine meadow with spectacular views.

One-mile/Three-mile/Five-mile – Follow the road through One-Mile Campground. This turns into a 4x4 road and trails that branch off and head into the Fossil Ridge Area.