Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
I was out this last Saturday and did my Denver-Aspen via Independence Pass and then Aspen-Crested Butte via Taylor Pass anuual trip.
West of Crested Butte-and east of the Crystal Mill-is the famed Devil's Punchbowl area of Schofield Pass. I had made about 3 previous attempts over the years to climb the Devil's Punchbowl-from the west side to the east side, and never had success.
This time I traveled west out of Crested Butte to the Paradise Divide region and followed the road down the hill to Schofield Park and then the pass. From the Paradise Divide area you can connect back to the Gothic Road which in turn will lead back to Mt. Crested Butte (and ski area) and the town of Crested Butte.
This is one of the most rewarding off road adventures I had ever been on. In essence the Schofield Park area is the back side of the Maroon Bells -a pretty nice place to be with the fall colors or any time of the year for that matter....
yes I have pictures. If you care to see them just say so and send a real email address. I find this whole photo hosting thing to be tedious guys....works great until the account goes away....
Body damage descending into the Taylor Creek riverbed (legal to follow the creek in this area)-scraped up my rock sliders sliding into a boulder-saved my rear quarter panels from the damage.
Other than that incident the whole trip was peaceful and calm-didn't take my dog this time-and just gorgeous colors.
If you know the area you know it is a hotbed for all sorts of fun and adventure.
I am just so stoked I had to share.
:biggrin2:
West of Crested Butte-and east of the Crystal Mill-is the famed Devil's Punchbowl area of Schofield Pass. I had made about 3 previous attempts over the years to climb the Devil's Punchbowl-from the west side to the east side, and never had success.
This time I traveled west out of Crested Butte to the Paradise Divide region and followed the road down the hill to Schofield Park and then the pass. From the Paradise Divide area you can connect back to the Gothic Road which in turn will lead back to Mt. Crested Butte (and ski area) and the town of Crested Butte.
This is one of the most rewarding off road adventures I had ever been on. In essence the Schofield Park area is the back side of the Maroon Bells -a pretty nice place to be with the fall colors or any time of the year for that matter....
yes I have pictures. If you care to see them just say so and send a real email address. I find this whole photo hosting thing to be tedious guys....works great until the account goes away....
Body damage descending into the Taylor Creek riverbed (legal to follow the creek in this area)-scraped up my rock sliders sliding into a boulder-saved my rear quarter panels from the damage.
Other than that incident the whole trip was peaceful and calm-didn't take my dog this time-and just gorgeous colors.
If you know the area you know it is a hotbed for all sorts of fun and adventure.
I am just so stoked I had to share.
:biggrin2:
