Featured Hike #10: Judd Falls
Enjoy a relaxing hike to Judd Falls that the whole family can embark on. As you walk along the trail, you will get an up close and personal view of Gothic Mountain on your right with the lush green Mt. Crested Butte appearing in the distance. You’ll be awe inspired and left speechless as you soak in these euphoric views. Are you feeling inspired to camp? If so, there are multiple designated camping sites along the road that leads up to the Judd Falls trailhead. How fun right? Not only can you enjoy an epic hike on this easy trail, but you can also catch amazing sunsets and sunrises as they fade above Mt. Crested Butte and Gothic Mountain. Lets get going as we explore this mellow trail.
To get to the Judd Falls traildead, make your way to the old mining town of Gothic. From the town of Crested Butte, drive 5 miles north on Gothic Road before arriving in the town of Gothic. Be sure to obey the speed limit as there are families and small children exploring the small town. Continue on past Gothic for a quarter of a mile before reaching the turn off that leads to the Judd Falls trailhead.
From the turn off to Judd Falls you have a few different options. The first option you can do is to park in the designated parking area located next the trailhead bathrooms. From there, start your hike up the dirt road for a half mile before reaching the Judd Falls trailhead. The second option is to drive up the dirt road until your reach the trailhead. Please note that this does depend on road conditions and it is recommended to have a vehicle that is all wheel drive.
Once you make it to the trailhead, take your time and enjoy this beautiful hike. The hike is short and easy and offers some amazing views of the waterfall, Gothic Mountain and Mt. Crested Butte. Take some pictures and/or have a picnic before heading back to the parking lot. For the adventurous spirited person, continue on the trail for another 5 miles before you reach the beautiful Copper Lake.
The Judd Falls trail offers a ton of variety as it connects to a number a different trails such as Copper Creek, Rustler’s Gulch, and even to the infamous 401 bike trail. Enjoy your fun and exciting adventure as you make your way to Judd Falls