The views from Paradise Divide Pass are some of the best in all of Colorado. Located at the end of the valley, this glacial zone is expansive, as seen in the panoramic photo. Which encompasses the short version of our go to loop. After explore here, we recommend our customers go check out Emerald Lake, located past the townsite of Gothic. These are hands down my two favorite spots in the Crested Butte zone and in all of the Gunnison National Forest.
We all have been waiting for this moment when we all can start living life again like we used too before the pandemic. Well that day has finally come, as Gunnison County’s corona meter has lowered to the green level which means masks are not needed in most situations. We have kicked off another season with a new member to the family named Maxine. She has brand new Bilstein shocks and 35” tires, making her a very capable Jeep. We love this time of year, as the grass and trees are turning green and the trails are opening up. Allowing for days of fun to be had in the Gunnison National Forest while renting a specialized Jeep.
Taking Gothic Road outside of the Town of Crested Butte will lead you up to the ski area or Mt. Crested Butte. From here you’ll continue through Mt. CB to the old town site of Gothic. Gothic has a unique vibe with the Rocky Mountain Biological Institute, which has been established since the late 1920’s, and conducts a slew of scientific studies on the bio-diversity which makes this area special and world famous for the abundancy of wildflowers.
As you pass through Gothic the road becomes more rough, muddy and tight in some places. Go past the Rustler’s Gulch trail, which is another great option, until you reach the snow pile. There is an area just before Emerald lake where two avalanche paths meet and usually piles up with snow and debris. Due to having a big snow year last season, this area is still not safe to pass on top of with a Jeep. Therefore we recommend parking the vehicle and walking the less then a mile to the lake.
Often times, especially in the winter months, we deliver customers a nice specialized Jeep right to their doorstep. Usually dropping the Jeep off at the customers hotel or the FBO at the Gunnison Airport, allows for a very smooth and quick transaction. Many of our customers arrive here and find that they want to also adventure to the surrounding resorts and/or hot springs. However, many just need a vehicle to safely traverse the piles of snow and ice in town. Yes there is free public transportation, but having your own lifted Jeep allows you the freedom to run errands or transport your group to another magical spot in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Schofield Pass sits within the Sawatch Range of the Elk Mountains between Crested Butte and Aspen. The pass tops out at an elevation of 10,707 between the town sites of Gothic and Marble. Once the snow melts, many of our renters travel what we call the big loop which encompasses Slate River Road, Paradise Divide, Paradise Basin, Schofield Pass and ending with the town site of Gothic before heading back to Crested Butte. Timing wise this usually puts you back in town for a late lunch or to re-supply before heading back out for more off-road adventures.
Schofield Pass continues beyond the point imaged in the photo, where a large sign warns drivers of the ensuing danger of The Devil’s Punchbowl. For safety purposes our vehicles do Not go beyond this point.
This area is world renowned for its wildflowers and there is a reason why we have an entire festival dedicated to the flowers. If you’ve ever dreamed of being surrounded by wildflowers in a high alpine meadow, like in the movie ‘Sound of Music,’ then this is your spot! Hikers have many options to choose from as well, if it’s the infamous 401 trail, hiking to Judd Falls, the 403 trail, Rustlers Gulch, Deer Creek, Copper Trail, the many offerings in the Snodgrass area or even the West Maroon Creek Trail to Aspen.
Roughly six miles south out of Crested Butte is Cement Creek Road, which accesses Crested Butte South. Cement Creek is a dirt road, providing miles of fun Jeeping, especially this time of year when we are waiting for the snow to fully melt. I enjoyed a quick adventure up the road yesterday, easily making it to the beaver pond meadow. The road becomes very narrow (as seen in the photo below) so you’ll want to go slow as there are many blind corners and oncoming traffic.
This route also accesses the Reno Divide Pass trail, which is a common route for those on multi-day rentals. Customers are more and more renting for their entire trip length and as we have multiple zones of adventure we can keep them busy the entire time during the summer and fall. In May we are still poking around, but there is a lot of fun to be had in paradise any time of year.
Every year I make the trip up Washington Gulch Rd. located in between the Town of Crested Butte and Mt. CB. This mellow road turns into more of a trail just prior to entering the town site of Elkton. Wandering up this jeep trail gives you a quick gain in elevation making for a steep section with switchback turns leading to the ridge line. Many stop here to hike the trail up Mt. Baldy, but with a lifted Jeep is where it starts to get a little “sporty.” Continue on and the road verges into Slate River Rd. (734) traveling through a drop off section to Paradise Divide or where the trail tops out at. This beautiful and amazingly scenic viewing point of the Paradise Mountain Range, Slate River Valley, Paradise Basin and so much more is one of my favorites in the world.
Well it has surely been a wet and wacky spring up here in the high country. Luckily warm weather and plenty of sunshine, just what we’re used to this time of year, has arrived. Access too many of the amazing hiking and mtn. biking trails is open and specifically access to the Paradise Divide and Schofield Pass is open on the Crested Butte side to Jeeps. Oh yeah and the wildflowers have just starting to pop, making our little piece of paradise open for business.
According to the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce and the Gunnison County Public Works, as long as “everything holds (today) and we do not have any more issues due to saturated soils we will open Kebler at 4:00 PM. Cottonwood will open at 4:00 PM as well.” McClure Pass will be closed today between 11:30am and 3:00 pm. Which means the fast and easy route to Aspen is open and the short cut to Denver is a go!
