Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass

[corpeleven]

Any of you guys done this? Interested in doing a day trip starting from CB side, lunch at top of the chair at Aspen, and then back.

Any info appreciated, specifically on avalanche danger and ability to avoid, can you ride right to the restaurant, how much time to budget, and most of all, is it a good ride/worth doing?

Thanks - Ryan

 

[rhalloran]

Sounds fun, but I would be REALLY surprised if you could ride the sled to within a reasonable walking distance of the top of the ski area - "reasonable" being <1 mile or so.

Dunno, may be wrong - I know you can ride sleds to within feet of the BOTTOM of Mineral Basin at Snowbird (no restaurant), and you can get close to the bottom of a lift here or there, but riding right to the restaurant @ the ski area?

SINCERELY doubt it.

It'd be a really fun trip, don't get me wrong, but sleds anywhere near ski areas is a no-go, IME.

 

[1BIGCAT]

Don't know about Pearl Pass but I know you could do it from Cement Creek to Spring Creek then to Taylor Pass and that will take you right to the restaurant.

 

[rhalloran]

Can you ride right to it?

That's pretty freaking neat, if so.

 

[SSWIM]

A few years ago we rode right to the top of the ski area. Via little Nell. We were able to access all the area above Taylor park. This was probably 7-8 years ago. Accessing it from CB would probably be from cement creek. I'm sure some one has done it.

Sam

 

[Coldfinger]

One summer 15 years ago we rode dirt bikes thru Pearl Pass and it was incredible. A few years ago in the summer we rode atvs down the ski area road to the bottom of the lifts on the edge of town.

I'd maybe check with the restaurant to see how close you can get at the top in winter riding sleds.

Just a thought, but I imagine if the weather is iffy you will not want to be on Pearl because it is high and wide open, as I recall. A whiteout up there wouldn't be fun.

 

[Qreiff]

Never done this although talked about it numerous times with my brother. (Being from Glenwood Springs and jeeping Pearl in the summer)

I do know that Pearl can be a windy, avy prone monster.

I'm all ears because this sounds like a blast if conditions permitted. Let us know what you find out.

 

[corpeleven]

Thanks for the input guys. Of course this trip would be weather and avy condition contingent - goes without saying.

 

[corpeleven]

Just got off the phone with Aspen/Snowmass and yes, you can snowmobile to within 100 yards of the Sunbelt Restaurant. Sweet.

 

[COgirl411]

hot springs?

I've heard from CB locals about a hot springs back there in the woods... i would love to find that spot

 

[Goinboardin]

COgirl, the only hot springs I'm aware of near there is Conundrum hot springs, which is awesome, but in wilderness. Could be others though? When I lived in CB I didn't go out Cement Creek or Brush Creek in the winter.

Some friends of mine did a pre-Grand Traverse route inspection/avy condition evaluation via sleds a couple years ago, rode over Pearl to Aspen, so yes it can definitely be done.

Man, I miss that place!

 

[Hillside]

I would love to go!

I am working until December 15th so I couldn't go until then but could definitely make it out around the 15th-31st. Or after January 28th.

Let me know, love to go. My buddies have ridden from crested butte, fueled up then rode to aspen mtn via taylor pass and it takes you to the restaurant. They rode the gondola down to the town of Aspen, ate lunch then rode the gondola back up the mountain and rode back to Crested butte.

Would love that journey!

 

[MtnDoo]

You can travel from Cement Creek road near CB South to Taylor Park, then go Taylor Pass over and make it up to the SunDeck on top of Aspen. (you could just start from Taylor Trading post too We do that in the summer on dirt bikes, never tried it in the winter. Pearl Pass in the winter would seem fraught with peril IMO. Probably want to check in with the Aspen side to see what's acceptable on the approach to the SunDeck during the winter. I recall some pretty grim politics surrounding Richmond Hill not too long ago. USFS snipers, black helicopters (soy-powered of course), etc...

Google Earth is your friend.

Rgds,

MtnDoo

Just as an FYI - here's the Grande Traverse route.

http://www.elkmountainstraverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/GT_Map.jpg

http://www.elkmountainstraverse.com

 

[deadcat]

Buy a jeep

Summer time fun in a jeep. Winter would be sketchy on Aspen side. Buy a jeep.

 

[GBCB]

Google Earth is your friend. Pearl Pass doesn't go to Aspen Mtn. But if you'd like some pancakes at Buttermilk......
Riding not allowed on Middle Brush. You'd have to go Cement over Crystal Pass, Star pass into upper East Brush up to Pearl. I'll be at the Friends Hut for the solstice (12/20-21). Stop by for a drink. Just kidding- I don't think a Pearl Pass ride is feasible until Spring. If your dead set on Pearl from CB and plan on riding Middle Brush the cops probably won't catch you. But the F.S. cop is known to tazer first and ask questions later (no joke). Besides that a wicked side hill on the CB side and a huge scree field on the back side to where it maybe difficult to even find the road again once your out of the scree. My two cents, start at the Taylor trading post. If you start at Cement Creek you'd best bring gas, that's a long haul.

 

[MD800]

Buena Vista to Aspen Mtn

THe snowmoble club from Colorado Springs has gone to Aspen Mtn a few times. Leave BV fo over Cottonwood Pass. Fuel at Taylor Park then to Spiing Creek and to the ski area. Ate lunch at the top and rode back.

 

[Nychaze]

You can travel from Cement Creek road near CB South to Taylor Park, then go Taylor Pass over and make it up to the SunDeck on top of Aspen. (you could just start from Taylor Trading post too We do that in the summer on dirt bikes, never tried it in the winter. Pearl Pass in the winter would seem fraught with peril IMO. Probably want to check in with the Aspen side to see what's acceptable on the approach to the SunDeck during the winter. I recall some pretty grim politics surrounding Richmond Hill not too long ago. USFS snipers, black helicopters (soy-powered of course), etc...

Google Earth is your friend.

Rgds,

MtnDoo

Just as an FYI - here's the Grande Traverse route.

http://www.elkmountainstraverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/GT_Map.jpg

http://www.elkmountainstraverse.com

WOW. That is one gnarly trek through the mtns.

 

[roscoe1208]

when you make the trip you need to let me know. i lived at the sundeck restaurant for 4 years. its my back yard and where i learned to ride.

 

[corpeleven]

Sounds like Taylor is the way to go. Thanks for ine input!

 

[roscoe1208]

i wouldn't even attempt to tackle pearl pass. huge avalanche valley. the you would have to go threw a forest service lease for cross country skiers, ride 1 mile of paved road. then head up express creek road another high factor avalanche road.
taylor is the way.
keep in mind NO groomed trail on richmond ridge and it whooped out quick.