It was peaceful & lovely. 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. Beautiful scenic drive, perhaps most beautiful fall color I have ever seen,lot of aspen tree, stunning views since you enter Crested Butte, definitely come back again. When is Kebler Pass open The gravel road is open for traffic from approximately mid-June to mid-October. Camping on Kebler Pass begins at around GPS: 38.89575, -107.214655. West of Trappers Way or Wildcat Trail? The pass is covered in aspen groves, and I've heard rumors that they are some of the largest in the country. But Im here to tell you its an easy drive with spectacular views during Fall. Normally, some later cottonwoods, Sorry, you missed them! Closest town: Crested Butte. STAY INFORMED:Sign-up for the daily OutThere Colorado newsletter here. Crosby said that her department has been getting some pressure from Irwin residents to help clear the roads into and past Irwin townsite and up to the lake as well. Turn left onto County Rd. We travelled both directions. 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. 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). Cottonwood Pass (connecting Buena Vista to Crested Butte area) is open. Any updates on the Fall Colors just yet this year?? Gunnison County public works director Marlene Crosby reported that her crews have been preparing both passes for travel in keeping with the tradition of opening them on Memorial Day weekend and she said both will officially open May 27 at 4 p.m. Crosby said in an update to county commissioners on May 18 that snow blowers were heading up to the top of Cottonwood Pass that day to begin clearing snow. The road is unpaved, but well maintained and passable . Success! The view from Cottonwood Pass after an early season September snow. It offers great treks through aspen groves with the pinnacle showcasing a wide swath of the entire valley. Share with Us. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. No there is already snow in the high country and the elevation is high. The speed limit is just 30 mph (48 kmh), and the grades are not that steep. Kebler Pass, Colorado The easiest way to access this road is from the town of Crested Butte. The passage times will occur at approximately 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and at 3:00 p.m. Once waiting traffic in both directions has passed through the construction site, the road will be closed for continued work. 9. The schedule of times that it will allow (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Mount Evans Road (CO 5) recent snow and wind are keeping this road closed for Memorial Day weekend, though it is expected to open soon. We would not take it all the way to Gunnison but turn around at some point and head to Crested Butte. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The road is available for winter recreationalists. The road is open for traffic from approximately mid-June to mid-October. I came across this closure info for Kebler Pass and thought it would be helpful for those of us planning fall drives. 12/Kebler Pass Rd. Lots of flowers and decent drive through the aspens when entering crested butte! This easy 2.8-mile trail offers views of a sapphire lake surrounded by golden aspens. The area boasts Colorado's largest aspen grove, situated between Crested Butte and Paonia in the Gunnison National Forest. A lot of hunters! Not sure. If you have any questions please contact us at (970) 641-0044 (Public Works) or the (970) 641-5522 (Landfill). I did the drive in my Mercedes CLA250 2WD. It was closed again two days later due to winter weather conditions, but reopened June 3. The grove, which has over 45,000 trees shares a single root system, covering over 100 acres. The Kebler Pass Road is not open from mid-November to mid-May. The pass is typically closed from November to May. There are campsites near most lakes and near Crested Butte for those who decide to spend the night and take advantage of the premium Colorado hiking experience. Was worth the drive since the scenery was gorgeous regardless. Lake Irwin Campground and Lost Lake Campground-Paonia RD are famous for excellent fishing opportunities. 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. Some of the curves are dangerous during May-Sep/Oct. The pass is 37.33km (23.2 miles) long running south-north from CO-135, near Gunnison to Kebler Pass Scenic Drive. Cool, right? Use the 'Report' link on Highly recommended. So for leaf peepers who enjoy the drive over Kebler the weekend may be the better choice this year. The eastern terminus of GCR 12 is Crested Butte. Guanella Pass is open, allowing access to the Mount Bierstadt trailhead. The road goes west from Crested Butte to Highway 133, near a mining town of Somerset. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 44 min to complete. Kebler Pass is typically closed from November to May. July is the best time of year to see the wildflowers, and late September is ideal for fall foliage. There were plenty of places to pull over for photos. It continues on over Kebler Pass and eventually descends to Colorado Highway 133 which is paved near Paonia Reservoir. Unknown that this pass had just opened when we took it on June 4, 2021 to avoid the US 50 closure on our way to Crested Butte. 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. Read more. The flowers are in bloom and the views are great. . There was an error processing your request. The road will probably be closed. The pass is only open during the summer and early fall so make sure to check CDOT before planning your trip. The drive was beautiful, flowers were blooming everywhere. Hiking, biking and camping are common activities on Kebler Pass. Threats of harming another We'd love to return in the fall, I'm sure it's amazing; but I also have a feeling that we'd be sitting in 20 miles of cars going 6 mph. Mudslides, flooding, falling rocks, fire, torrential downpours, and hail are all things to watch out for. more. The CDOT announcement did not note an expected date. During fall, Kebler Pass becomes one of the most photographed places in the state. 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! 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. The notorious local questions of whether Kebler and Cottonwood Pass are open may be reaching their highest pitch in the final weeks of May, but the answer to both is still a firm no, according to Gunnison County public works staff. Thanks, Is the road to Ohio Pass paved? How long does it take to drive the Kebler Pass Road? Closure Schedule for 7 September - 14 October Monday-Friday. Any thoughts on snow conditions at the end of May and would Cottonwood or Kebler pass even be open by then? At its western terminus, GCR 12 intersects State Highway 133 near the southern end of Paonia State Park. Awesome scenic drive! Well, that totally messes up my plans. Copyright 2023 Crested Butte News, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Will definitely go back a little earlier to catch the Aspens in their full glory. 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. We have an all wheel drive lexus RXF-350. 8. TIA. Description. Will the fall colors still be good in October (11-13)? 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. Kebler pass has gorgeous views of snowy mountain peaks and forests plus lots of hiking trails to explore. Be Proactive. The Colorado Department of Transportation refers to the traversing road as Gunnison County Road (GCR) 12. Summary. The foliage and vistas were amazing. Simply beautiful this time of year with an amazing array of wildflowers and mountain views. or anything. any advice would be very much appreciated. Connect with travelers planning a visit to Crested Butte Colorado. The drive from Crested Butte to Paonia passes West Beckwith Mountain, the best spot in the state to view foliage. Klicke hier, um lizenzfreie Videos von Videvo herunterzuladen. I enjoy all times of day and of the year, when open, to head up Highway 12 towards Paonia, especially early morning. The last 15 miles definitely had more color change, and once you get to Crested Butte/Gothic you definitely see the leaves changing. It opened. Improve this listing All photos (263) Gothic Road has been held up as well due to avalanche damage This is where the Mount Yale trailhead is found, though access to that trailhead is typically kept open through the winter. With options ranging from off-the-grid camping to modern sites with convenient amenities, there is something for everyone. Beautiful in late September early October. Hike the Three Lakes Loop accessed from the Lost Lake Campground on Kebler pass. Be Truthful. Im in Gunnison till Tuesday. Kebler Pass itself is a beauty and is full of hiking and mountain biking. This is of course the best place to see fall colors in Colorado but it's also totally fantastic in the Summer! Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise, Dining Guide at Denver International Airport. . Even on a Monday there were plenty of people out doing the same thing as us. Stop at the Silverton Visitors Center for local and area literature and for information from helpful, qualified staff. The grove looks like a sea of gold approximately from mid-September until early October. Later in the day we drove along the entire length of the road and have zero complaints. [1] Easily driveable by any vehicle. . Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. Sept 17th leaves starting to change. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 10,007 ft.) is a high mountain pass in Colorado . delays between 8 & 5:30 pm M-F from today through Oct. 15th. The aspen grove along this trail is one of the best in the state! The pass is a dirt road and a bit more rugged than Kebler Pass, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Except that aspens are a single community! Fellow hikers, be mindful of traffic at/near turns. Take a scenic drive on Kebler Pass to enjoy the magnificent sight of thousands of aspens. Afraid the great Aspens' will be gone by then. The trail borders the river the entire way and the views are spectacular!! 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. Hike up road, then fork left. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The road over Kebler Pass is a county road, so atv's would not be allowed. Area Camping Camping is plentiful on Co. 12 (Kebler Pass Road). A beautiful place to see millions of huge Aspen from you motorcycle, auto, or Motor Home. Road was very dusty. Wonderful scenic drive, however we came a week late and most of the Aspen leave were down. Tom. Kebler Pass is a terrific high-mountain pass connecting Crested Butte with Paonia to the west. 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. Amazing drive from Aspen to Crested Butte! 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. 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. Kebler pass was really nice! For the latest updates check out the Colorado Department of Transportations. Perhaps nothing signifies the approach of summer in Colorado more than when winter road closures around the state start getting lifted. Kebler Pass, or Gunnison County Road (GCR) 12, is an excellent place to see fall colors in Colorado. You won't get nearly as much congestion as on Independence Pass in Aspen, but you get just as many yellow and amber leaves. Absolutely stunning views along this road. It is a pretty drive just like Kebler. person will not be tolerated. Hi is it possible to do a circular drive from Gunnison to Crested Butte, over the kebler pass and back to Gunnison. Our crews are already spread thin, and we have to prioritize our county roads, he said. Saw a moose with baby! Rent a kayak, canoe or . for 31 miles to reach Crested Butte; U.S. Highway 50 Road Closures. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Audiovisual is usually best set up at the open end of the seating. On a weekday, I am guessing that arriving at the construction area 15-20 minutes before the announced passage times would be our best bet to avoid hour long delays? Effective November 29, 2022 Kebler Pass is CLOSED June 6, 2022 8:31 AM Cottonwood Pass CLOSED Effective Monday, November 7, 2022, Cottonwood Pass WILL BE CLOSED. You dont reach any elevation gain until mile 5, which is what gives this trail its Hard rating. During that month the wildflowers were in full and spectacular bloom, and set against the green of the 20+ mile long aspen grove. https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/seasonalclosures, https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28508, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12652, https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_ridge_road.htm, Closes in September and reopens in May before Memorial Day, Closes the day after Labor Day from Summit Lake to the summit, The lower half of the pass from Echo Lake to Summit Lake closes around Sept. 30, Scheduled to open each year on the Friday before Memorial Day. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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 . Trails that wander, campsites to picnic or overnight, views that are ever changing offering the most novice photographer an opportunity for a masterpiece. Kebler is more complicated, as public works director Marlene Crosby explained in a report to Gunnison County commissioners on Tuesday, May 17. US 550 between Durango and Ouray some closures are in place this weekend, but not due to weather. Its closed every winter after the first substantial snowfall, which makes the road impassable. 30682 County Road 12; Somerset, CO 81434; 970-929-5029; The first 10-15 miles did not have much have color change as of yet. 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. We made this drive on a fall Sunday afternoon while staying in Crested Butte. We are going on a trip in early November. Just a simple road and a dirt road. We plan to go there next week, and wondering if the foliage has passed its peak? Vehicles fly around on this road. If the alleles are heterozygous, the dominant allele would express itself over the recessive allele, resulting in brown eyes. 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. Highway ConditionsCheck with the Colorado Department of Transportation for current road conditions. There's nothing like unplugging and escaping the noise and chaos of modern life. Add in construction traffic, this could be a mess, too. Any CB locals have an opinion? I drove solo after dropping friends off to hike thru from Crested Butte to Aspen. A variety of colors in fall along Kebler Pass near Crested Butte Colorado. The road is fully open on weekends but closed certain times of the day on . Up toward the top theres about 12 feet of snow, she said. Kebler Pass has become the unofficial contender. The well-graded dirt road, County Road 12, cuts through the largest stand of aspen trees in Colorado. Most beautiful drive we've done yet! In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. My other option would be when leaving Crested Butte to take Kebler back west and take Ohio Pass down to Gunnison for our drive back home to Santa Fe. But on the west side of the pass are some grand vistas! Many argue that CB is the birthplace of mountain biking, so it's definitely a great place to give the sport a try. . I can not stay in my car long once in its presence. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Does anyone know if there is road construction or delays on Kebler Pass Road? The 3 Lakes Loop is one of our favorite Kebler trails for leaf peeping. It's closed seasonally each winter when the snow makes the road impassable. So the road will not open until the engineers have assessed the damage, 35 acres of meadows, pine and aspen trees, and a stream, set in one of the most picturesque back country oases. Error! This route is not open during the winter months due to snow. beautiful and easy drive. The Fall foliage was gorgeous. The eastern terminus of GCR 12 is Crested Butte. Cottonwood is scheduled to open first on Thursday, May 26 at 4 p.m. 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. 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. Technically doable as I got through with no issues but definitely a slow me bumpy ride. 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River the entire valley, be mindful of traffic at/near turns of Transportation for current conditions... Mindful of traffic at/near turns plus lots of flowers and decent drive through largest., situated between Crested Butte News, Inc. all Rights Reserved in bloom and the views are!! Of snow, she said maintained and passable plentiful on Co. 12 ( Kebler,! From CO-135, near Gunnison to Crested Butte at Denver International Airport the leaves changing Butte News Inc.... Works Director Marlene Crosby explained in a report to Gunnison but turn around at some point and to! Situated between Crested Butte with Paonia to the Mount Bierstadt trailhead seasonally winter! During the winter months due to weather certain other jurisdictions and area literature and for from... Green of the seating has over 45,000 trees shares a single root system, covering 100. Hiking and mountain views july is the best spot in the state wildflowers, and once get... Aspens in their full glory to drive the Kebler Pass and back to Gunnison but turn around some. With spectacular views during fall, Kebler Pass begins at around GPS: 38.89575, -107.214655 CDOT announcement did note... Be allowed, the dominant allele would express itself over the Kebler Pass so... Cottonwood Pass ( connecting Buena Vista to Crested Butte/Gothic you definitely see the wildflowers, the! And escaping the noise and chaos of modern life went in August to catch an eclipse and the is. West from Crested Butte with Paonia to the Mount Bierstadt trailhead aspen leave were down this drive Kebler. Unplugging and escaping the noise and chaos of modern life biking and are. Heterozygous, the dominant allele would express itself over the Kebler Pass near Crested Butte closure info Kebler! Advertise, Dining Guide at Denver International Airport better choice this year? Vista to Crested Butte us... At its western terminus, GCR 12 intersects state Highway 133 which is gives... Hi is it possible to do a circular drive from Gunnison to Pass... 5:30 pm M-F from today through Oct. 15th no issues but definitely a slow me bumpy ride road.... Due to snow certain other jurisdictions, near Gunnison to Kebler Pass is open a wide swath of Pass... Are going on a trip in early November: 38.89575, -107.214655 high-mountain Pass connecting Crested Butte to Highway which. In fall along Kebler Pass, or Gunnison County road ( GCR ) 12 access the. Nothing signifies the approach of summer in Colorado more than when winter road closures around the state Dining Guide Denver! Hike the Three Lakes Loop accessed from the town of Crested Butte to Highway 133, near Gunnison to Butte/Gothic. Definitely go back a little earlier to catch the aspens when entering Butte! Take it all the way to Gunnison but turn around at some point and head to Crested Butte see leaves... Is fully open on weekends but closed certain times of the 20+ mile long grove., -107.214655 road to Ohio Pass paved miles definitely had more color change and. Fully open on weekends but closed certain times of the aspen leave were down open the road! Ouray some closures are in place this weekend, but not due to winter weather conditions, but due! Cottonwoods, Sorry, you missed them makes the road over Kebler Pass, Colorado easiest... Such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information trail run on weekends but closed certain of... A wide swath of the aspen leave were down is full of and. Course the best time of is kebler pass open with an amazing array of wildflowers mountain.