Visitors and residents alike are captivated by the beauty of Crested Butte and its rich and diverse landscape that includes rivers and mountain streams, rolling hay meadows, and towering peaks blanketed by alpine forests.
The Crested Butte Land Trust strives to keep this valley unique, as too many of Colorado’s ski area valleys have lost their ranches, vistas and wildlife habitat. CBLT believes open space has the unique ability to benefit everyone, and provides an economic value for the community which is far reaching and long lasting.
The more than 4,000 acres CBLT has preserved protect crucial wetlands, wildlife habitats, unrivaled views, recreational opportunities and the valley’s ranching heritage. CBLT celebrates the following accomplishments:
1. The Lower Loop Trail connects recreationalists directly from Town to Wilderness in five pristine miles. Lush with wildlife and wildflowers, one can wind through the aspen and spruce forests of the Slate River Valley and the wilderness beyond. This user friendly accessible trail is enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities and interest groups. Over 500 hikers and bikers enjoy the trail on any given sunny, summer day.
2. The Slate River Wetlands Preserve borders the north edge of the Town of Crested Butte, and contains very high quality wetlands and an elk migration route. CBLT has preserved 1,000 acres in this pristine area, which is one of the major river valleys located in central Colorado between the Elk Mountains and the West Elk Mountains. The Slate River eventually flows into the Gunnison River, nourishing the ranchlands of the valley floor.