Slate and Gothic Roads are a great way for beginning ATV riders to get a glimpse of the back country in the Crested Butte area in Colorado. These are easy starter trails and new ATV enthusiasts should be able to navigate them quite nicely.
Both of these ATV trails are well maintained and easy enough to traverse if you have 4-wheel drive.
ATVers should take some time for sightseeing when they reach Paradise Divide. Get off your ATV and walk around and enjoy the views, because they are spectacular. Be advised, ATVs are not allowed off road in the wilderness areas, so only check them out on foot.
The Slate Road ATV trail will take you to Gunsight Pass. This ATV trail is a bit more difficult than Slate, and you have to go through the creek to access the trail. Remember to use extreme caution whenever crossing water on your ATV. Gunsight Pass comes to a dead end pretty quickly, but ATV riders will love the view of Crested Butte.
The Gothic Road ATV trail is generally considered easier than Slate road but the surrounding beauty makes up for the lack of challenge. Eventually ATVers will reach the Town of Gothic. Consider yourself warned ahead of time, there are plenty of speed limit signs posted and you don't want to wind up with a ticket as your only souvenir of the ride. ATVs should stay on Washington Road FR811. When the Slate and Gothic roads come back together they will make a loop and take you back to Crested Butte.
As a general rule, ATV trail users should be aware of the need for trail courtesy. Yield the right of way to bikers and hikers. As ATVing becomes more popular, the trails become more crowded. A few good manners will make your ATV experience a pleasant one.
