Grin and Bear It - 15K Classic

Race - Jul 13, 2019

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A steep but rewarding journey to a high alpine lake starting in downtown Crested Butte. Enjoy the solitude and the incredible views it affords you at the top.

Start by heading over to the Crested Butte Nordic Center near 2nd Avenue in Town. The course starts behind the building on a doubletrack heading southeast. This eventually leads to a road and the first trail sign directing you to take a right on this road. Just under a half mile later, another sign will direct you to the left and the start of the Green Lake trail singletrack.

The climb starts here and doesn't relent much. Switchback your way up the mountain through the dark timber steeply at times until getting dumped out to another road. A sign directs you to take a right on this road. About 1/2 mile on the road, another sign directs you to get back onto singletrack to your left.

Wind your way up through the dark timber and enjoy the rugged trail on the way. The trail eventually starts opening up, stay straight at the intersection for Trail 436. Once at the lake, marvel in its beauty and get ready to turn around and head back the way you came toward the finish!