Colorful Fall Ride on 401 (19 Sept 2014)
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We’ve done 401 before. We’ve ridden it, written about it, and have had a few different trip reports featuring Crested Butte’s most popular trail. So, what makes this one different? It’s a fall ride on 401 and the colors were so spectacularly surreal we just had to share.
We began our ride on Gothic Road. We travel this road regularly throughout the year. But, this time, we had to stop and grab a few photos to capture the peaking aspen leaves.
We climbed the road, enjoying the scenes the entire way. Baldy was as beautiful as it gets – well, except for winter.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Emerald Lake glowing this much.
We climbed the singletrack to the top and enjoyed the westward views towards the Raggeds.
I love this spot.
Frank rode “the black hole”.
Tall foliage still surrounded the trail.
Instead of the typical yellow and red hues of the aspens, the alpine terrain shined with tones of lime and magenta.
Neon green in September? Yep.
I didn’t know my shirt would blend in with the landscape so much.
I could not get over the surreality of it all.
I always thought the most beautiful time to ride 401 was in the summer, with head-high skunk cabbage and wildflowers covering the trail. But, on this ride, I was proven wrong. This was quite possibly the most beautiful 401 ride yet.
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