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.
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.
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.
