Purple People Eater Canyon

Purple People Eater is a canyon located close to Crested Butte. It exists within the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County. Its drainage basin is formed on the east side of Purple Mountain on an elevated shelf that eventually becomes a tributary to the larger, nearby Slate River. Purple People Eater features a gorgeous technical section with back-to-back drops from start to finish. Best Practices

From Crested Butte, drive north out of town on Gothic Rd till you shortly reach Slate River Road. Take Slate River Road up about 10.2 miles up to some campsites along the Slate River, just before the road steeply switchbacks up towards the Paradise Divide. Parking can be found near the campsites at the end of the road. The Slate River Road is paved for the initial portion but turns into a graded dirt road as it enters national forest. In its current condition, a high clearance 2WD vehicle would be suitable for reaching the trailhead. A passenger vehicle could make it with careful driving. On Foot: From your parking spot, start hiking towards the Slate River and cross it where appropriate. Just south of the dry falls exists a faint trail that switchbacks up. Follow this trail up as it crosses by the dry falls, slowly working your way up to the large bench above the Slate river. Once on the bench, follow social trails north, passing by two smaller lakes (Peeler Lakes), until you reach a larger tributary to the Slate River, originating in the large basin to the East Purple Mountain. A large fanned out waterfall indicates that you’ve arrived at R1 and the start of the canyon.

R1: 95' from a small tree on Canyon Right R2: 100' from a small tree on Canyon Right R3: 150' from a rock in Canyon Center set a ways back from the edge R4: 170' from a rock on Canyon Center R5: 50' from a rock pinch in Canyon Center 10' Downclimb or optional (R6): 30' from a rock pinch in Canyon Center R7: 170' from a rock on Canyon Left final three tiers, 30' rappel, shelf, 30' rappel, then smaller ledges below