Experience Western Colorado’s Rich History, Natural Beauty

Wildlife, meadows, streams, and rivers meander among mountains deserts, and plateaus to make the West Elk Scenic Byway an unforgettable experience. Allow six to eight hours for the 205-mile loop, which contains two designated national historic districts, a major ski area, a national recreation area, two state recreation areas, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and two national forests. The byway is marked by the blue-white columbine signs which designate all of Colorado’s scenic byways.

The West Elks Scenic and Historic Byway begins in Hotchkiss. You can travel on to Paonia and the coal mines of the North Fork. About 12 miles from Paonia you will pass through Somerset, a small mining community. Near Somerset are three working coal mines [2007], Oxbow Mining, Bowie Mine, and West Elk Mine.

East of Somerset you will have to make a decision. Just south of Paonia Reservoir, You’ll find Crystal Meadows Ranch at the intersection of Hwy. 133 and County Road 12. This is the road you’ll take if you want to complete the loop by visiting Crested Butte, Gunnison, and the north rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

The well-graveled Kebler Pass road leads past the trailhead to Dark Canyon Trail (at Erickson Springs Campground), around the Marcellina Mountain and the Ruby Range to the top of Kebler Pass and past the Lost Lake turnoff. The route descends through pine forests and expanses of aspen. In the Fall, the golden display of aspen in this area is considered one of the most spectacular in the Rocky Mountains. During the winter, , Kebler Pass is closed except to snowmobilers.

After the mountains, the broad valley between the towns of Crested Butte and Gunnison is an interesting contract. The open pastures provide ample forage for the cattlem deer, and elk.

Three dams on the Gunnison River have transformed the semi-arid area west of Gunnison into a recreation mecca. The high, dry vistas are now interrupted not only by the Gunnison River’s narrow thread, but also by three lakes, Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal, which provide irrigation water and hydroelectric power.

Shortly after you cross the Lake Fork Bridge, you’ll see a sign marking the turnoff to Hwy. 92 and the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The north rim route along Colo. 92 contains plenty of turnouts and picnic areas, with several trailheads for hikes into the canyon. The last six miles is a graded dirt road leading to sheer canyon walls, which drop 2,000 feet to the river.

As you approach Crawford, you’ll again notice open pastures. Crawford State Park is popular with boaters and fishermen, as well as campers. The town of Crawford still retains an old-west atmosphere. Imaginatively-named landmarks in the area include Saddle Mountain, Sleeping Indian Peak, Needle Rock, and Cathedral Peak. Travel ten miles north of Crawford to Hotchkiss to complete the loop.

This scenic and historic byway circles the West Elk Wilderness Area and is in sight of the Raggeds Wilderness Area. The West Elk Wilderness Area on the Gunnison National Forest is about 176,000 acres ranging from 7,000 to more than 13,000 feet in elevation. More than 200 miles of constructed trails are available for both foot and horse travel through sometimes rugged terrain.

CONTINUING ROUTE

If you’re taking the spur to Carbondale, which does not again connect to the route, continue along Hwy. 133 as it winds along Paonia Reservoir and the Raggeds Wilderness. The highway gradually rises to the 8,755-foot summit of McClure Pass and then quickly drops into the scenic Crystal Valley.

Continuing along Hwy. 133 will take you to historic Redstone, while a right turn takes you to the small town of Marble where marble was quarried for many notable structures including the Colorado State Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hwy. 133 continues to Carbondale where you can head north to Glenwood Springs, or south to Aspen.