COMMENTS: This is a great high mountain ride. Be prepared for elevations over 10,000 feet and unpredictable mountain weather. Watch out for the mosquitos. They can get pretty thick. The Upper Crag Crest trail is not open to mountain bikes, but is well worth a hike onto the ridge midway through the ride..

The Crag Crest Trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1978. The trail was established for recreational enjoyment, because it offers many scenic vistas and a unique display of geological history. Views from this ridge extend in all directions. Hikers will enjoy views of landmarks such as, Book Cliffs, Battlement Mesa, the West Elk and San Juan Mountains. Only foot travel is allowed on the crest portion between the east trailhead and Cottonwood Lakes Trail. Mountain bikes may use the lower loop and the crest portions between the west trailhead and Cottonwood Lakes Trail junction.

Combine this ride with "Lake of the Woods" for an extended shuttle or loop back along the paved road. The ride can also be shortened by starting at West Crag Crest Trailhed.

Note: The trail listed on most maps near Wolverine Lake is incorrect. The map blelow is accurate.

STARTING POINT: East Crag Crest Trailhead:

RIDE TYPE: SHUTTLE OR OUT AND BACK

TRAIL TYPE: SINGLE TRACK 100%

ELEVATION CHANGE: 1238 feet gain -1334 feet loss = -96 feet

DISTANCE: 7.4 miles

APPROXIMATE RIDE TIME: 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: Moderate with a few long hills and technical sections

KEY WAYPOINTS FOR GPS:

East Crag Crest Trailhead	0 miles	39º 02.924' N	108º 56.205' W
Lower Crag Crest Trail cutoff	0.15 miles	39º 03.042' N	108º 56.156' W
Hotel Lake jeep road crossing	1.7 miles	39º 02.978' N	108º 57.450' W
Visitor Center trail	3.7 miles	39º 02.700' N	108º 59.563' W
West Crag Crest Trail	3.8 miles	39º 02.762' N	108º 59.540' W
Crag Crest ridge trail	4.8 miles	39º 03.372' N	108º 58.940' W
Lake of the Woods trail cutoff	6.3 miles	39º 04.349' N	108º 59.080' W
Cottonwood Lake parking	7.4 miles	39º 04.540' N	108º 58.029' W

RIDE DESCRIPTION: Start at East Crag Crest Trailhead. Head up the obvious trail for about 0.2 miles. You will meet the intersection with the Lower Crag Crest Trail. Turn left. Continue salong the trail until you meet the jeep road to Hotel Lake at mile 1.7. Climib up to the ridge and meet the trail from the Visitor Center at mile 3.7. Turn right and climb to mile 3.8 and mee the West Crag Crest Trail. Turn right and begin the climb up to the ridge. After you crest the ridge you will meet the Crag Crest Trail ridge cutoff at mile 4.8. You cannot bike the ridge trail, but the views are well worth a hike up the trail. Continue across the ridge and descent the singletrack. After crossing a creek you enter a meadow. Midway through the meadow, Lake of the Woods trail cuts off at mile 6.3 to the west. If you are riding out Lake of the Woods, take the left. Otherwise, continue down jeep roads to Cottoonwood Lake. Cross the dam and arrive at the parking lot at mile 7.4.

MAP OF RIDE: [HIGH RESOLUTION MAP]