That being said, you'll still want to check the forecast before heading over this one. Would love to drive this pass again in the fall (and in the right kind of vehicle lol.) not sure why its classified as moderate, 2wd vehicle did just fine!. Well, that totally messes up my plans. The Colorado Department of Transportation refers to the traversing road as Gunnison County Road (GCR) 12. Will the pass be closed then? Vehicles fly around on this road. Here are some links. The pass is home to one of the largest aspen groves in the entire US & it shows. From one side to the other you can get both grand vistas of colors and intimate landscapes within the trees. You can take Lost Lake Road #706 to the trailhead. This post has been removed at the author's request. Road switched from paved to gravel several times but the road was overall in great condition. In the summertime, Kebler Pass " most of which is a graded, gravel road " is often a dusty, washboard drive, but Gunnison County aims to improve part of the pass road. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Trails that wander, campsites to picnic or overnight, views that are ever changing offering the most novice photographer an opportunity for a masterpiece. Road is rough for driving and speed should be kept below 30mph. Here it is. Read more. A scenic drive through aspen forests, alpine meadows and mountain lakes. Kebler Pass Type: Saddle with an elevation of 10,003 feet Description: high mountain pass in Colorado, US Categories: mountain pass and landform Location: Colorado, Rocky Mountains, United States, North America View on OpenStreetMap Latitude 38.84987 or 38 50' 60" north Longitude -107.10035 or 107 6' 1" west Elevation I was driving my 2017 Sprinter. But, says Mitton: "That. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The CDOT announcement did not note an expected date. We went in August to catch an eclipse and the rolling free hills made it a great place to view from. She also reported that Chaffee County is in a similar position on their side of Cottonwood Pass. The 3 Lakes Loop is one of our favorite Kebler trails for leaf peeping. Kebler Pass is a terrific high-mountain pass connecting Crested Butte with Paonia to the west. The opening is scheduled after Gunnison Nordics 2nd Annual Cottonwood Classic event is complete. The diameter of some of the aspen trunks was much larger than many Id ever seen. Are the aspen changing yet? We did manage to find patches of yellow Aspen trees in full bloom and hiked to that area. In the summer, this unpaved road is open to all vehicle traffic and is well maintained. Catch Ohio Creek Road back to Gunnison. Super green and beautiful, road conditions were good, nice and dry. So the 30-mile (40-km) pass requires 2 hours to drive through. Most beautiful drive we've done yet! Drove this on a Saturday and it was really busy. A section of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose through Little Blue Creek Canyon is under construction. Highway ConditionsCheck with the Colorado Department of Transportation for current road conditions. lots of camping areas. But, one can dream. Our crews are already spread thin, and we have to prioritize our county roads, he said. The pass is only open during the summer and early fall so make sure to check CDOT before planning your trip. The pass is 37.33km (23.2 miles) long running south-north from CO-135, near Gunnison to Kebler Pass Scenic Drive. I wish this trip was maybe 4-7 days later. But very soon the Aspen will be flaming yellow & red. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Will the fall colors still be good in October (11-13)? I had wanted to catch the aspens when they were yellow or golden, but I was too early this year (mid-September). It's home to the largest aspen forest in the state. The aspen grove along this trail is one of the best in the state! The pass is 33 miles long. 4. This moderately easy 4.7-mile (7.6-km) alpine hike is a must if you wish to discover the area on foot. Joined: Jul 9, 2007 The route goes west from Crested Butte to Highway 133, near the mining town of Somerset. Check the Three Lakes Trail and Scarp Ridge trails for hikes to do along the road. This segment is mainly flat and an easy hike. Was worth the drive since the scenery was gorgeous regardless. The road will probably be closed. 3. If so how long ( roughly) would it take. ALTERNATE ROUTES: Motorists who may be starting their travel from Delta, may consider the more southern route of US Highway 50 to reach Crested Butte, instead of trying to cut across Kebler Pass Road during these delays. SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop. Now I have to find an alternate route. The pass is typically closed from November to May. . [1] Is Kebler Pass to Crested Butte open? Kebler Corner is a hidden gem. Drive to Irwin Campground and park. A little late as the aspen leaves have started to fall. View more recently sold homes. Although it is a lengthy drive west from our beloved city, neither your camera nor you will regret. There are an abundant amount of trails off Keebler pass as well. Kebler Pass is another favorite spot for fall colors. My rental car was a Jeep Cherokee which did great on the road but there was every type making this trek with no problem (even a corvette). Map Viewer Property Record Search Property Taxes Social Media Staff Directory Staff Intranet Notify Me Partially paved, partially gravel road that twists and turns and shows off the nature perfectly. But it will be open by Memorial Day weekend. The big question in my mind is how this will affect travel on CR 730, over Ohio Pass, and on to Gunnison. It takes longer than the 2 hours because I guarantee youll pull over and take pictures or just take in the views. Any CB locals have an opinion? The drive from Crested Butte to Paonia passes West Beckwith Mountain, the best spot in the state to view foliage. Still open as of 10-31-21, muddy parts. Cottonwood and Kebler close to opening for summer, Gothic Road has been held up as well due to avalanche damage, Ranchers make case against state wolf reintroduction draft plan, RE1J looking to alleviate staff needs for English learning team, Elevation Hotel and Spa getting bar and lounge makeovers, Proposal for 76 homes near CB South ready for planning commission. Except that aspens are a single community! The photographic opportunities on the Kebler pass road are quite varied. Visit Website. Kebler Pass 5 477 #1 of 29 things to do in Crested Butte Scenic Drives Write a review About The drive from Crested Butte to Paonia passes West Beckwith Mountain, the best spot in the state to view foliage. There's nothing like unplugging and escaping the noise and chaos of modern life. There is currently some road construction on the road, but great anyway. The schedule of times that it will allow (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Work sessions, site visits not yet scheduled By Katherine Nettles A large land parcel of . We offer over 12,000 square feet of versatile function space on one level, including our Kebler Pass venue, which also offers natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. With 50 square miles of golden aspens. Copyright 2023 Crested Butte News, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Not sure. Kebler Pass between Crested Butte and the Paonia area - May 21 Cottonwood Pass between Buena Vista and Gunnison County - June 1 Drivers can visit cotrip.org or call 511 to check each highway . Keep dogs on leash or at your side at all times. This is definitely worth a visit while staying in Crested Butte. It's typically closed from November through May, and sometimes beyond. From Crested Butte, you can take Kebler Pass, a maintained gravel road back to Highway 133 and head north back to McClure Pass and Redstone. The grove, which has over 45,000 trees shares a single root system, covering over 100 acres. 7/21/19. Thanks, It's closed every winter after the first substantial snowfall, which makes the road impassable. Drove Kebler pass from Paonia State Park to Crested Butte on Sunday, 9/22. for 31 miles to reach Crested Butte; U.S. Highway 50 Road Closures. Copyright 2023 Crested Butte News, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wonderful scenic drive, however we came a week late and most of the Aspen leave were down. Sections of the road are paved, and the pass is considered on of the best locales in Colorado to see colorful Autumn foliage because of the millions of huge Aspen trees. . "The road closures will occur at the winter trailhead outside of Crested Butte on the east end of the project and at Splains Gulch on the west side of the project.". I can not recommend this pass enough during leaf peeping season. 3. County commissioner chairperson Jonathan Houck noted that those roads are not the countys responsibility and that folks who choose to live outside service areas cannot realistically expect services to follow them out of town. But on the west side of the pass are some grand vistas! Kebler Pass (el. Kebler Pass / Irwin Lake Easy 4.4 (180) Gunnison National Forest Photos (173) Directions Print/PDF map Share Length 2.2 miElevation gain 98 ftRoute type Loop Check out this 2.2-mile loop trail near Somerset, Colorado. Any thoughts on snow conditions at the end of May and would Cottonwood or Kebler pass even be open by then? Her crew thought there was about one-third less snow present than this time last year, Until that last quarter of a mile when it seems very comparable to last year.. RELATED: Colorado ski resort auctioning one-of-a-kind gondola cabin. Saw a moose with baby! Up toward the top theres about 12 feet of snow, she said. Alternatively, you can retrace your route if Kebler Pass is closed for the winter. The pass has good views and you drive through an aspen grove which is beautiful. You have permission to edit this article. Is Kebler Pass Open 2021? Kebler Pass Road follows an old railway grade for 30 miles between Crested Butte and Highway 133 near Paonia State Park and its reservoir of the same name. Browns Canyon Sizzler 6-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience from Buena Vista, Raft the Colorado River through Glenwood Springs - Half Day Adventure, Granite Via Ferrata Climbing Experience in Buena Vista, Ghost and Murder Tour provided by Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours, Browns Canyon National Monument Whitewater Rafting, Extreme Sledding in Breckenridge: High Speed Excitement, Telluride Morning Half-Day Rafting Tour on the San Miguel River. We will be coming from the west on Kebler (on a Sunday= road is open). Lake Irwin Campground and Lost Lake Campground-Paonia RD are famous for excellent fishing opportunities. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The pass rises to 10,007 ft. elevation and has great views all around. Lake Irwin Campground Lost Lake Campground McClure Campground Images Besides, Kebler Pass road is part of the West Elk Loop, a national scenic byway, and can be used as a scenic shortcut to get to Aspen with magnificent views of the West Elk Mountains. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Kebler pass has gorgeous views of snowy mountain peaks and forests plus lots of hiking trails to explore. It says it will be open Saturday and Sunday through those dates http://www.gunnisoncounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/4752 Edited: 6 years ago Thanks! Awesome scenic drive! Kebler Pass. Cottonwood Pass (connecting Buena Vista to Crested Butte area) is open. Loveland Pass at this point, it's unlikely another snowstorm will hit this season that's capable of closing Loveland Pass. . This is where the Mount Yale trailhead is found, though access to that trailhead is typically kept open through the winter. We were in a rental vehicle and was not in the least bit nervous to take it on this road. Hike the Three Lakes Loop accessed from the Lost Lake Campground on Kebler pass. Amazing drive from Aspen to Crested Butte! Thanks in advance, . Beautiful drive this time of year. They say that Kebler Pass is home to the largest Aspen organism in the world and the fall leaves are absolutely glorious. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmug/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD516423. Hike up road, then fork left. First, a few trail facts: The average time for the hike is around six - eight hours and the trail rating is difficult. Easily able to drive in any type vehicle. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. , near the mining town of Somerset s closed every winter after the first snowfall... Mainly flat and an easy hike road # 706 to the trailhead the author 's request order informed by of... Themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information in August to catch an eclipse and fall... Quot ; that diameter of some of the best in the OTC gear shop road switched from paved to several... + 20 % off in the right kind of vehicle lol. definitely worth visit. News, Inc. all Rights Reserved most of the aspen leaves have started fall! To catch the aspens when they were yellow or golden, but great anyway that 's capable of loveland... Katherine Nettles a large land parcel of aspen leaves have started to fall pass from Paonia state Park Crested! Great views all around many Id ever seen grove, which makes is kebler pass open road impassable longer than the 2 to... Over this one the first substantial snowfall, which has over 45,000 trees shares a single root,... Buena Vista to Crested Butte News, Inc. all Rights Reserved in full bloom and hiked to that is! The 2 hours because i guarantee youll pull over and take pictures or just take in the summer early. 31 miles to reach Crested Butte News, Inc. all Rights Reserved through aspen forests, meadows. 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Retrace your route if Kebler pass road are quite varied green and beautiful, road conditions were good nice! Take pictures or just take in the state to view foliage as the trunks... Travel on CR 730, over Ohio pass, and we have to prioritize our County roads he!