Walrod Cutoff Trail 418 (Caves Loop)

About

Walrod Cutoff Trail 418, known locally as the Caves Loop, is a difficult 1.62-mile hiking route in Gunnison, Colorado. The trail offers steep climbs and descents with a smooth singletrack tread. It begins on Forest Service Road 740, located approximately six and a half miles south of Crested Butte off Highway 135. Hikers pass the Trail 409 intersection, parking area, and Cement Creek Cabins before turning left onto a flat singletrack marked by a user sign. After roughly 2.3 miles, the path meets Walrod Gulch Road and climbs to an intersection with Trail 409. The route provides views of the Cement Creek drainage and wildflowers before descending via steep switchbacks back to the road. The trail is open year-round, typically takes about one hour to complete, and has parking available at the start.