Cement Mountain East Ridge

About

The Cement Mountain East Ridge hike is a 14.1 to 14.5-mile loop near Crested Butte, Colorado, on the Western Slope. The trail starts at the Deadman Gulch trailhead, located slightly past standard GPS coordinates in a shaded forest. It is classified as moderate and typically takes about 8 hours to complete with approximately 3,400 feet of elevation gain. The route reaches a summit elevation of roughly 12,207 feet. The path follows singletrack uphill through woods before opening into sloping meadows where elk and deer are visible. After the meadows, the trail re-enters forested areas and can be mucky after rain. Hikers encounter junctions at approximately 2.5 miles, turning right to descend slightly before re-ascending toward the ridge. The easiest access to the East Ridge is early, near a cluster of trees, avoiding bushwhacking required if staying on the main Cement Mountain Trail longer. Once on the ridge, a faint path with occasional cairns leads to the summit cairn at 12,207 feet. The summit offers views of the Raggeds Wilderness, Gothic quadrangle, Oh-Be-Joyful quadrangle, and the Ruby Range. Weather changes quickly on the exposed ridge. Parking is available at the trailhead, and the trail is accessible year-round.