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The One & Only

Trail 401

Rustler's Gulch to Judd Falls

Distance
11.8 mi
Climbing
2,174 ft
High Point
11,313 ft
Ride Time
3–5 hours
Difficulty
Advanced

Get The Track

Download GPX File

Free. No email required. Works with every major navigation app.

How To Open It

  1. Download the file to your computer.
  2. Upload it to your route app of choice (Strava, Ride with GPS, Komoot, Garmin Connect).
  3. Sync to your phone or GPS head unit before you ride.

Shortcuts

Already have one of these installed? Skip the download.

Using Strava, Komoot, Ride with GPS, or Garmin? Download the file above, then import it from within that app — they each handle GPX a little differently.

Start & Finish

SHUTTLE REQUIRED — this ride does not return to where it starts. Plan for two vehicles or a shuttle before you head up.
Start

Rustler's Gulch Trailhead

From Crested Butte, take Gothic Road (CR 317) north past Mt. Crested Butte and through the town of Gothic. Continue about 3 miles past Gothic on dirt; the Rustler's Gulch turnoff and parking area are on the right. High clearance is helpful on the last stretch.

Parking: Dirt pullout, no fee, no facilities. Fills early on summer weekends.

Drive Me There →
Finish

Judd Falls Trailhead

Leave a second vehicle here, or arrange a shuttle. Judd Falls sits just past Gothic on Gothic Road, roughly 2 miles below the start — a short car shuttle.

Directions To Finish →

The Beta

The postcard ride, done as a point-to-point. Climb out of Rustler's Gulch to the 401 high point at 11,300 feet, then descend through chest-high wildflowers with the Maroon Bells filling the horizon, finishing at Judd Falls. It is a rite of passage, and on a clear morning in mid-July there may be no better trail in Colorado.

  • This is a point-to-point, not a loop. You will need two vehicles or a shuttle — the finish is roughly 2 miles down Gothic Road from the start.
  • The climb is the price of admission — about 2,170 feet before the singletrack payoff.
  • Altitude is real here. The high point is 11,313 feet. If you flew in yesterday, give yourself an extra day.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm in July and August. Be off the ridge by noon.
  • Wildflowers peak mid-July. Expect to share the trail — it is popular for good reason.
  • The descent is loose in spots and has exposed sections. It rides best with a dropper and some gravity experience.

Season: Typically mid-July through September

Ride Smart

This track is provided as a convenience and is not a substitute for your own judgment, a real map, or current conditions. Trails change, snow lingers, storms build fast, and cell service is unreliable or absent for most of this ride. Carry water, food, a layer, tools, and a way to fix a flat. Tell someone your plan. Know your limits and turn around when you need to. You ride at your own risk.

Need A Bike For It?

We have been outfitting riders for this trail since 2006. Full-suspension rentals, dialed and trail-ready — plus honest advice about whether today is the day for it.