Well folks after a loooooong winter, Summer is finally here and in full swing in the high country of the Elk Mountains. Despite lots of lingering snow up high still, we have been enjoying warm and sunny days guiding rock-climbing in Taylor Canyon & Cement Creek, and cloudy days have been serving up perfect conditions for shady climbing trips to the impressive walls of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park as well.

All the Spring snow and stormy weather has brought one silver lining…WILDFLOWERS !!!! Lots and lots of wildflowers. Although still too snowy up in the high alpine meadows, closer to town on drier ground, the types, colors, and variety of wildflowers is off the charts this year, and as the snow continues to slowly recede with elevation throughout the summer the carpet of colors will continue to come out late into the summer season.

Daily hiking trips, wildflower tours, and backpacking trips have been blessed with great colors, snow on the peaks, water in the rivers and creeks (sometimes alot !) and pictures, stories, and memories to last the remainder of the summer.

And for the third consecutive year in a row we have started our popular Peak Of The Week Summer Hiking Series…… 8 different local peaks, affordable group price, professional guides, every Friday of the summer from July 8th through August 26, 2011.

Early monsoonal weather to the high country this year has slowed down the ability for some climbing of Colorado’s famous high peaks, but our staff of experienced and professional guides has been able to sneak a few ascents in (between thunderstorms) of the local classic ‘Guides Ridge’ climb with some happy and satisfied guests. This is an alpine adventure not to be missed…varying in difficulties and routes appropriate for the whole family or the seasoned alpinist.

The mountain bike trails continue to dry out and open up daily, and we are currently enjoying great tacky riding conditions on the dry trails, with field and fields of green and wildflowers in every direction. And….our Vehicle Supported Mountain Biking Trips are enjoying awesome reviews of great single track riding, great food, exceptional guides, and unparalleled camping spots and vistas…..our next trip departs July 26-29, 2011……look for pics and a write up to follow soon…or better yet, jump in with us, spots are still available !!!

Looking down the road there is still lots of summer left, and lots of time to enjoy any or all of the above activities, but as we all know too well, summer in the high country of Colorado can be fleeting, and will be gone before we know it…..enjoy it while it lasts !!!

-CBMG Staff

Spring has sprung in the mountains around Crested Butte and this has started the annual thaw of the people, as well as the environment, as we all get excited for the short but incredible summer season amidst the Elk Mountains at 9,000′. April & May have been busy and exciting here at Crested Butte Mountain Guides, with lots of spring Ski Mountaineering trips, another successfulAnnual Haute Route Ski Tour, and the beginnings of rockclimbing, mountain biking, and alpine climbing season here in Colorado.

The late season snow and cold temps have made for one of the finest spring backcountry ski and ski mountaineering season’s in anyone’s recent memory, and looks like some of the more proud lines on the big peaks will last well into June this year ! So if anyone out there is still itching to get some turns in under warm spring temps, or tackle a famous Colorado 14er on skis, now is the time……

Also, warmer temps down low, means the beginning of the rockclimbing season, with our guides venturing out daily to the local crags of Taylor Canyon and Hartman Rocks, as well as the bigger walls farther beyond town to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and sandstone towers of the Utah Desert.

Late Spring & Early Summer is also a great time to get in some of Colorado’s famous 14er’s via alpine climbing routes, ski mountaineering routes, or standard hiking routes. This year’s combination of late season snow and nice Spring weather, mean that these peaks will be an ideal playground for the beginner to expert mountaineer with snow and ice routes being the norm and giving a real big mountain feel to these wonderful high mountain peaks that Colorado is known for.

Summer in Crested Butte this year looks to be an exciting one, and true to the town’s long roots, this will likely be known as the Summer of Cycling 2011 in Crested Butte, CO. So if anyone out there is an avid road cyclist, mountain biker, both, or is thinking about being one, this is the place to be this summer with lots of HUGE cycling events that will showcase why Crested Butte is known as such a mountain biking mecca.

This summer’s events kick off with the Annual Ride The Rockies tour of Colorado, beginning in early June in Crested Butte… followed by the oldest mountain bike festival in the country, the newly re-named (same old feel) Crested Butte Bike Week. CBMG is excited to be partnering this year with the Chamber of Commerce, as we are offering professionally guided rides of single day and multi day overnight rides, with included tickets and passes to all the great festival events, at this year’s festival….visit our website or Crested Butte Bike Week for more info on all the cool happenings or to register.

 Then in late July comes the Crested Butte Alpine Odyssey, a national qualifier for the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Finally in August, comes quite possibly the biggest of all the events,  The USA Pro-Cycling Challenge….if you are a biker this is the place to be this summer ! Of course, no summer season at Crested Butte Mountain Guides would be complete without our partaking in the Annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival as well…leading daily hikes to many of our favorite spots to share why Crested Butte is known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado”.

We are looking forward to another beautiful Summer Guiding Season here in the Elk Mountains and hope you will join us, and let us share our love and intimate knowledge and connection with our favorite backyard…..in the meantime Spring is here which means skiing, climbing, mountain biking, hiking…and sometimes all in the same day !

—Staff of Crested Butte Mountain Guides