The
mountain ranges surrounding the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley look like
an artist’s autumn palette, with brushstrokes of gold, orange and
crimson evident at every turn in September and early October.
Known for
the largest, most spectacular aspen grove in the United States, the area
offers eye-popping vistas that well-known travel journalist Peter
Greenberg mentions in his new book “The Best Places for Everything.”
Not
only are there exceptional drives, get surrounded by fall foliage on
foot by hiking one of the outstanding trails off Kebler Pass or Ohio
Pass, mountain biking Trail 401 or one of the area’s other classic
routes, and going on a trail ride through the forests with Fantasy Ranch
Horseback Adventures or Tenderfoot Outfitters. Crested Butte Mountain
Guides and Colorado Backcountry can help you hit the trail on bike or
foot.
If
that’s not enough, festivals, farmers’ markets, a gourmet dining
series, biking and running events and much more are on tap during
“September Splendor in the Rockies,” the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley’s
month-long celebration. For a listing of September Splendor activities
and fall vacation packages in addition to the ones listed below, visit www.septembersplendor.com.
See a list of Fall Drive Routes after the jump!
Ohio Creek Road to Kebler Pass
From just north of Gunnison on Colorado Highway 135, take a left on Ohio Creek Road (look for signs). About 12 miles up the Ohio Creek Valley, near a series of ranch buildings that mark the abandoned site of Castleton, travelers will see the spires of “the Castles.” These are erosion remnants carved out of volcanic debris that erupted from the West Elk Volcano, now extinct. Continuing on, look for a fine view of the Anthracite Range. Near the end of Ohio Creek Road is the intersection with Kebler Pass Road (County Road 12). At that junction, you can head west towards Colorado Highway 133, where southbound goes toward Paonia or northbound to Paonia Dam and Redstone over breathtaking McClure Pass, a popular route to Aspen. Heading east on Kebler Pass Road, you’ll come to Crested Butte, with the eighth largest National Historic District in Colorado. Before heading to Crested Butte, take a short detour and go north to the beautiful Lake Irwin.
From just north of Gunnison on Colorado Highway 135, take a left on Ohio Creek Road (look for signs). About 12 miles up the Ohio Creek Valley, near a series of ranch buildings that mark the abandoned site of Castleton, travelers will see the spires of “the Castles.” These are erosion remnants carved out of volcanic debris that erupted from the West Elk Volcano, now extinct. Continuing on, look for a fine view of the Anthracite Range. Near the end of Ohio Creek Road is the intersection with Kebler Pass Road (County Road 12). At that junction, you can head west towards Colorado Highway 133, where southbound goes toward Paonia or northbound to Paonia Dam and Redstone over breathtaking McClure Pass, a popular route to Aspen. Heading east on Kebler Pass Road, you’ll come to Crested Butte, with the eighth largest National Historic District in Colorado. Before heading to Crested Butte, take a short detour and go north to the beautiful Lake Irwin.
Kebler Pass to Marble & Crystal River Valley
Going north out of Crested Butte on Whiterock Avenue, the road turns into County Road 12, a well-maintained, hard-surface dirt and gravel road. A stop across the road from Horse Ranch Park provides one of the most scenic landscapes of the Anthracite Mountain Range and a predictable pocket of red amongst the expanse of gold and yellow. Continuing on through the West Elk Mountains, which has been called “the closest you can come to a wilderness experience in a passenger car,” you will pass by the scenic vista of the largest aspen grove in the United States. After a total of 30 miles from Crested Butte and at the intersection of Highway 133, go right and travel along the Paonia Reservoir and over McClure Pass. After the right turn onto Highway 133 and another turn on County Road 3, it is approximately 27 miles to Marble, a historic mining town that is like a step back in time.
Going north out of Crested Butte on Whiterock Avenue, the road turns into County Road 12, a well-maintained, hard-surface dirt and gravel road. A stop across the road from Horse Ranch Park provides one of the most scenic landscapes of the Anthracite Mountain Range and a predictable pocket of red amongst the expanse of gold and yellow. Continuing on through the West Elk Mountains, which has been called “the closest you can come to a wilderness experience in a passenger car,” you will pass by the scenic vista of the largest aspen grove in the United States. After a total of 30 miles from Crested Butte and at the intersection of Highway 133, go right and travel along the Paonia Reservoir and over McClure Pass. After the right turn onto Highway 133 and another turn on County Road 3, it is approximately 27 miles to Marble, a historic mining town that is like a step back in time.
West Elk Loop Scenic & Historic Byway
One of the most picturesque drives in Colorado is the West Elk Scenic & Historic Byway, a 204-mile route that includes Crested Butte, Almont, Gunnison, Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Redstone, Carbondale and more. From Gunnison, the byway heads north on Highway 135 to Crested Butte, continues on the gravel Kebler Pass Road (County Road 12) and links with Highway 133 near Paonia Dam. Complete the loop back around to Gunnison by going south on Highway 133 and east on Highway 92 toward Blue Mesa Lake and the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. At Highway 50, go east back to Gunnison through Curecanti National Recreation Area or west to the main entrance of the national park and Monrose.
One of the most picturesque drives in Colorado is the West Elk Scenic & Historic Byway, a 204-mile route that includes Crested Butte, Almont, Gunnison, Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Redstone, Carbondale and more. From Gunnison, the byway heads north on Highway 135 to Crested Butte, continues on the gravel Kebler Pass Road (County Road 12) and links with Highway 133 near Paonia Dam. Complete the loop back around to Gunnison by going south on Highway 133 and east on Highway 92 toward Blue Mesa Lake and the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. At Highway 50, go east back to Gunnison through Curecanti National Recreation Area or west to the main entrance of the national park and Monrose.
AutoWeek
deemed the drive from Hotchkiss to Gunnison and Crested Butte one of
their eight favorite Great American Roads. An “Experience the West Elk
Loop Scenic and Historic Byway” brochure is available at visitor centers
along the route.
Almont to Various Scenic Routes
Between the towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte on Highway 135 is Almont, where the Taylor and East Rivers meet to create the Gunnison River. From Gunnison, go east at Almont on Taylor Canyon Road to Taylor Park Dam and Reservoir. From here travelers have three choices: 1.) Go east on Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista; 2.) Go north and loop back to Almont on Spring Creek Road; or 3.) Go southeast through one of the richest gold strike areas in Gunnison County traveling through Tin Cup, over Cumberland Pass, and through Pitkin, Ohio City and Parlin before reaching Gunnison.
Between the towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte on Highway 135 is Almont, where the Taylor and East Rivers meet to create the Gunnison River. From Gunnison, go east at Almont on Taylor Canyon Road to Taylor Park Dam and Reservoir. From here travelers have three choices: 1.) Go east on Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista; 2.) Go north and loop back to Almont on Spring Creek Road; or 3.) Go southeast through one of the richest gold strike areas in Gunnison County traveling through Tin Cup, over Cumberland Pass, and through Pitkin, Ohio City and Parlin before reaching Gunnison.
Crested Butte to Gothic
Drive three miles from Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte (where ski resort is located) and continue to Gothic, located on the east bank of the East River at the junction with Copper Creek. Gothic was a mid- to late-1800s boom town that now is home to the famed Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, a scientific field station. Camping and hiking and biking trails can be accessed from Gothic.
Drive three miles from Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte (where ski resort is located) and continue to Gothic, located on the east bank of the East River at the junction with Copper Creek. Gothic was a mid- to late-1800s boom town that now is home to the famed Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, a scientific field station. Camping and hiking and biking trails can be accessed from Gothic.
FALL VACATION DEALS
Three Rivers Resort in Almont is offering a third night free in most cabins and off-season rates in premium cabins for Sunday through Thursday night stays during September 2012. This deal is not available Labor Day weekend (Friday – Sunday nights), and taxes and fees may apply. Reservations must be made in advance with mention of this special at the time of booking and is not valid with any other offers. Call (888) 761-3474 and visit www.3riversresort.com.
Three Rivers Resort in Almont is offering a third night free in most cabins and off-season rates in premium cabins for Sunday through Thursday night stays during September 2012. This deal is not available Labor Day weekend (Friday – Sunday nights), and taxes and fees may apply. Reservations must be made in advance with mention of this special at the time of booking and is not valid with any other offers. Call (888) 761-3474 and visit www.3riversresort.com.
During the entire month of September, Save 15% on Lodging at
Crested Butte Mountain Resort properties in Mt. Crested Butte and enjoy
added bonuses on weekends. Plan a stay over a weekend and receive a
free scenic lift ride for each person on the reservation and a free zip
line tour with each zip line tour purchased. Offer is subject to
availability, taxes and fees; valid on new reservations; and cannot be
combined with other offers. Zip line tours may be available midweek for
groups of six of more. Book tours at the same time as lodging to receive
discount. Call (800) 810-7669 and visit www.skicb.com.
VISITOR INFORMATION & PERSONALIZED VACATION PACKAGES
For more information about Gunnison-Crested Butte’s summer calendar of events or to book personalized vacation packages, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/packages or call (800) 814-8893. Find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta. Air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines year-round and American Airlines and Continental Airlines in the winter.
For more information about Gunnison-Crested Butte’s summer calendar of events or to book personalized vacation packages, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/packages or call (800) 814-8893. Find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta. Air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines year-round and American Airlines and Continental Airlines in the winter.
ABOUT GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.
Gunnison,
county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested
Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley
Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State Colorado University, which
offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in liberal arts and sciences and
pre-professional fields. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving
historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining
opportunities.
Recognized
as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado
Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s
“Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, Crested Butte
is 28 miles from Gunnison and the site of rich mining, ranching and
skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Only three miles up the road is the
resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area’s conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.
Marble is
located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and
is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed
mill sites in the country. Marble has seven sites on the National
Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble
Quarry.
In
Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation
Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa
Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest
Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the
Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks. Gunnison County
includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup,
Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known
communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Gunnison
County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic &
Historic Byways.
