Cottonwood is scheduled to open first on Thursday, May 26 at 4 p.m. 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). How difficult would the dirt sections of cottonwood and kebler pass be on a sport touring bike (sprint RS)? The loop is perfect . LIST: Multiple mountain passes open for season in Colorado, Sign-up for the daily OutThere Colorado newsletter here, "Mountain lions are hunting in backyards": Study tracks movement patterns of Colorado mountain lions, Beloved cranes are back in southern Colorado, Crews rescue 8-year-old boy with severe altitude sickness in Colorado, Registration to open at 5 AM for iconic Colorado mountain races, Coroner confirms skier death at Colorado ski resort, Snow hits Colorado, but bigger storm may be on the way. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. The pass is a dirt road and a bit more rugged than Kebler Pass, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Boreas Pass I was driving my 2017 Sprinter. Due to the road repairs on Highway 50 we were thinking about using Kebler Pass to cut over to highway 133. Boy Im glad he did. How far into the pass before you get to the areas you mentioned of dramatic vistas? The eastern terminus of GCR 12 is Crested Butte. Independence Pass - Twin Lakes to Aspen Independence Pass in July. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmug/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD516423. Mostly dirt with some paved sections. Connect with travelers planning a visit to Crested Butte Colorado. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Closure Schedule for 7 September - 14 October Monday-Friday. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. It says it will be open Saturday and Sunday through those dates http://www.gunnisoncounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/4752 Edited: 6 years ago With 50 square miles of golden aspens. If I remember right, late September, there's a lot of cattle on that road. The ideal months to hike from Aspen to Crested Butte are late June to mid-October. This trail is great for scenic driving, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Im super thankful that there are lots of areas that you can pull off and camp without having to be in a designated spot. After that, the second storm of the week will bring snow from late Monday night through Tuesday evening favoring the north and central areas, and then the third storm of the week will . Aspens are done! Will the fall colors still be good in October (11-13)? Perhaps nothing signifies the approach of summer in Colorado more than when winter road closures around the state start getting lifted. The flowers are in bloom and the views are great. If not driving during that time just expect a pretty drive on a road that is fairly well traveled. . The photographic opportunities on the Kebler pass road are quite varied. Holiday Schedule: The Public Works and Landfill will be closed on the following days. It offers great treks through aspen groves with the pinnacle showcasing a wide swath of the entire valley. Photo by: Julia Alexander As the highest paved state highway that passes over the Continental Divide, the 27 miles from the ghost town of Twin Lakes to Aspen's back door, usher you into a world of cinematic beauty. Suggest edits to improve what we show. We made this drive on a fall Sunday afternoon while staying in Crested Butte. Lake Irwin Campground and Lost Lake Campground-Paonia RD are famous for excellent fishing opportunities. 3. Hike up road, then fork left. Sept 17th leaves starting to change. The road is normally open some time between June and October, depending on the weather. Is the drive safe enough for this type of car? Amazing drive from Aspen to Crested Butte! It's closed every winter after the first substantial snowfall, which makes the road impassable. LOCATED: We came from Crested Butte: Travel west on County Road 12, Kebler Pass Road, for approximately 16 miles to the intersection with Forest Service Road #706. A little late as the aspen leaves have started to fall. Talk about Social Distancing!!! At its western terminus, GCR 12 intersects State Highway 133 near the southern end of Paonia State Park. Kebler Pass itself is a beauty and is full of hiking and mountain biking. It's appropriate for . Some reviews had said not to drive it if you have a rent car but we had no problems with our rental SUV. However, you can use them on some of the trails off CR 12. 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.. Does anyone know if there is road construction or delays on Kebler Pass Road? The big question in my mind is how this will affect travel on CR 730, over Ohio Pass, and on to Gunnison. 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. #3. hmadams, May 4, 2008 #4. hmadams Adventurer. It takes longer than the 2 hours because I guarantee youll pull over and take pictures or just take in the views. Trails that wander, campsites to picnic or overnight, views that are ever changing offering the most novice photographer an opportunity for a masterpiece. They have a little more maintenance to do on their side, but we are working with them, she said. said Crosby. 3 Beds. People can look forward to a drive over both Kebler and Cottonwood passes starting Thursday at 4 p.m. thanks to the Gunnison County public works crew that has worked for the past several weeks to make the seasonal openings a success. We went in August to catch an eclipse and the rolling free hills made it a great place to view from. 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. Gunnison County Road 12 thru Kebler Pass is an excellent roadway suitable for even large Motor Homes, with a recommended speed limit of between 25 and 40 mph. The schedule of times that it will allow (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You'll be driving through the lush Gunnison National Forest, famous for its fall foliage and some of the largest aspen groves in the United States. for 31 miles to reach Crested Butte; U.S. Highway 50 Road Closures. Kebler Pass is typically closed from November to May. Easy drive west of Crested Butte. These roads reopen with the spring thaw, usually in mid-May. The road goes west from Crested Butte to Highway 133, near a mining town of Somerset. 2. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The visitor's center is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter. She said it is important to get as much roadway maintenance and repairs done as possible on Kebler before it opens and the inevitable rush of vehicles arrive. Be Nice. The gravel road is open for traffic from approximately mid-June to mid-October. Drove Kebler pass from Paonia State Park to Crested Butte on Sunday, 9/22. Kebler Pass is a terrific high-mountain pass connecting Crested Butte with Paonia to the west. Just a simple road and a dirt road. It says it will be open Saturday and Sunday through those dates, http://www.gunnisoncounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/4752. DELTA/GUNNISON COUNTIES Gunnison County Road 12 at Kebler Pass, located approximately four miles west of Crested Butte, will be closed for two hour periods between 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday from now through mid-October (approximately October 15, 2016). Work sessions, site visits not yet scheduled By Katherine Nettles A large land parcel of . We travelled both directions. First, a few trail facts: The average time for the hike is around six - eight hours and the trail rating is difficult. Closest town: Crested Butte. Success! The first 19.79 km (12.3 miles) are paved, the remainder gravel/dirt but generally in decent shape. Gorgeous this time of year, go down Ohio Pass (off of Kebler) about 3 miles and the views are INCREDIBLE. Here's a look at the status of a few key mountain passes around the state that typically experience closures during the winter: 1. Yield to horses and livestock. Kebler Pass (Gunnison County Road 12): Now open Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (US 34): Opened May 27. 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. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism I think it would be quite safe. She also reported that Chaffee County is in a similar position on their side of Cottonwood Pass. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. 10,007 ft.) is a high mountain pass in Colorado . Any updates on the Fall Colors just yet this year?? Any vehicle can make this trip and it is truly worth it :) please dont miss out on this one! Kebler Pass, 10,007 feet Reopening Date: OPEN Kebler Pass between Crested Butte and the Paonia area is one mountain pass that will be open for travel Memorial Day Weekend. A Saturday closure lasts from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM between Purgatory Ski Resort and Ouray Hot Springs. Make sure to take side trips to Lake Irwin, Lost Lake, and other stops among the aspens. But on the west side of the pass are some grand vistas! Kebler Pass is a beautiful high-mountain pass between Crested Butte and Paonia. The road will probably be closed. Set high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the road is typically closed from November to May. Action Adventures Snowmobile & ATV Tours and Rentals, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours Ski & Snow Tours. The pass is 33 miles long. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Stay up-to-date with weather alerts on the National Weather Service website and find travel alerts on the Colorado Department of Transportation travel map. The classic shot one sees from this area, is an ultrawide angle view, looking up through the canopy formed by the massive aspens that make up this grove. Don't expect a winter weather-related shutdown on this road to hamper summer plans. The diameter of some of the aspen trunks was much larger than many Id ever seen. We busted a few drifts when we could and that has now evolved into an expectation that we will always plow up to and into the townsite, she said. The routes in the area are:# US 285 from Denver to Poncha Springs# US 50 over Monarch Pass and through Gunnison# SR 135 from Gunnison to Crested ButtePhone: (303) 639-1111Web: www.cotrip.org. Will definitely go back a little earlier to catch the Aspens in their full glory. DELTA/GUNNISON COUNTIES Gunnison County Road 12 at Kebler Pass, located approximately four miles west of Crested Butte, will be closed for two hour periods between 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday from now through mid-October (approximately October 15, 2016). Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Want to report conditions for this trail? It was cloudy and rained most of the time I took this drive. Yes, you have to make the turn and take the Ohio pass road and it will take you back to the north edge of Gunnison. It is nestled in a beautiful location, and with it's small boutique size and warm, friendly staff, it feels like a cozy and special getaway location where you can really relax. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It was a lovely Sat morning drive. This route will not accommodate trailers or large trucks. Easily driveable by any vehicle. Kebler Wagon Trail is fairly new and offers up singletrack just past Kebler pass. to a bridge over the East River. Home to Slow Groove'n BBQ, the best eats in the state, Kebler Pass is a popular back route to the town of Crested Butte. Was worth the drive since the scenery was gorgeous regardless. July is the best time of year to see the wildflowers, and late September is ideal for fall foliage. Discover this Crested Butte hideaway just 20 minutes from town, located between Kebler Pass and Ohio Creek Pass. Because the trees are connected, they change colors in the fall at the same time. You will not be disappointed. Don't Threaten. Independence Pass (Highway 82, between Twin Lakes and Aspen) this route is already open, as of May 26, weather permitting. Vehicles fly around on this road. "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.". Drivers accessing the route from 9 AM to 3 PM are required to have a timed-entry reservation. Simply beautiful this time of year with an amazing array of wildflowers and mountain views. We were in a rental vehicle and was not in the least bit nervous to take it on this road. The Fall foliage was gorgeous. With the new trail it also makes for a more enjoyable ride on Dyke Trail Loop if riding from town or riding the loop back up to Lake Irwin. Never a disappointment. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The first 10-15 miles did not have much have color change as of yet. STAY INFORMED:Sign-up for the daily OutThere Colorado newsletter here. Here it is. Mostly well graded dirt road. Kebler Pass Road is officially closed into Crested Butte, Colorado after the first significant snowfall of the Winter. So the 30-mile (40-km) pass requires 2 hours to drive through. Kebler Pass is another favorite spot for fall colors. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. That being said, you'll still want to check the forecast before heading over this one. beautiful and easy drive. From Crested Butte, head west Highway 133, just north of a tiny mining village known as Somerset. Be Proactive. Kebler Pass - open 5. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. The foliage and vistas were amazing. I had wanted to catch the aspens when they were yellow or golden, but I was too early this year (mid-September). It continues on over Kebler Pass and eventually descends to Colorado Highway 133 which is paved near Paonia Reservoir. Road was very dusty. West of Kebler Pass, for about a ten mile stretch, is excellent aspen viewing area (easily one of the best in the state) when the aspen climax does occur! The Kebler Pass Road is not open from mid-November to mid-May. My mustang made it alright. Take a scenic drive on Kebler Pass, a beautiful high-mountain road between Crested Butte and Paonia. Turn right onto CR 12 and continue east for approximately 19 miles. Call 970-586-1222 for current road conditions Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.