Kebler Pass
A gravel pass west of Crested Butte through one of the largest aspen forests in the country.
About Kebler Pass
Kebler Pass is a 10,007-foot crossing of the West Elk Mountains in Gunnison County, carried by Gunnison County Road 12 from Crested Butte west to Colorado Highway 133 near Paonia Reservoir. The drive is about 30 miles, mostly gravel, and passable for ordinary passenger cars in summer and fall.
The road threads through what is often described as one of the largest aspen groves in the United States, and in late September the slopes turn solid gold. Along the way you get big views of the surrounding West Elk peaks, plus side roads to Lake Irwin and Lost Lake.
It is part of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway and, for many Colorado landscape photographers, the single most important fall-color drive of the year. Summer brings green aspen tunnels and wildflower meadows with a fraction of the autumn crowds.
A high-mountain pass connecting Crested Butte with Paonia, and a genuine shortcut to Aspen through the Roaring Fork Valley once the road is open for the season. At 10,007 feet through the Gunnison National Forest, it's best known for sitting inside one of the largest aspen groves in the country — come fall, this is one of the most reliable, biggest-scale color displays anywhere in the West Elk Mountains, and shooting mid-morning once the light gets into the grove itself, rather than at strict golden hour, is what actually works best for the aspen canopy shots this pass is known for.
History
The pass sits in country that boomed with mining in the late 1800s. The silver camp of Irwin, just north of the pass near today's Lake Irwin, drew thousands of people around 1879 before fading within a few years; its cemetery still sits along the road.
Today the route forms the highest point of the West Elk Loop, a 205-mile scenic and historic byway established in 1991. The road over the pass closes each winter once snow makes it impassable, and generally reopens in late spring.
Photographing Kebler Pass
Best light: Peak aspen color usually lands in the second half of September, but it varies by year and elevation, so watch reports. Mornings are the prime time: low east light backlights the aspens on the west-facing slopes, and fog often fills the valleys after a cold night. Overcast days are excellent for saturated color inside the groves.
Shots to look for
- Telephoto (70-300mm) abstracts of gold aspen slopes and white trunks from pullouts on the west side of the pass, picking out patches where different clones turn at different times.
- The Ruby Range rising behind a sea of aspens from the open meadows of Horse Ranch Park.
- The gravel road curving through an aspen tunnel, shot low with a 24-70mm on an overcast morning.
- Lost Lake Slough or Lake Irwin reflecting fall color and peaks on a calm early morning.
- Intimate details of aspen trunks and leaves inside the groves, with a polarizer to cut glare and deepen the yellows.
Photo tips
- Peak fall weekends are extremely busy; go on a weekday and pull fully off the road at designated wide spots, not on the shoulder.
- Dust kicks up fast on dry gravel; keep a blower and lens cloth handy and wait for traffic to pass before shooting along the road.
- Fill your tank in Crested Butte or Paonia; there are no services on the pass.
- Weather turns quickly in late September; an early snow on gold aspens is a gift, but check road conditions before committing.
Know before you go
- The road over the pass closes in winter; check Gunnison County or CDOT for current status in spring and late fall.
- It's a gravel road with occasional washboard and dust; slow down for oncoming traffic on blind curves.
- There are no services between Crested Butte and the Paonia side.
- Much of the route crosses national forest; dispersed camping and campgrounds near Lake Irwin and Lost Lake fill early in fall.
Prints from Kebler Pass
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
When is peak fall color on Kebler Pass?
Usually the second half of September, though the exact week shifts with weather and elevation. Check recent reports before you go.
Can you drive Kebler Pass in a regular car?
In summer and fall, yes. The road is mostly well-maintained gravel suitable for 2WD passenger vehicles in dry conditions.
Is Kebler Pass open in winter?
No. The road is closed over the pass during the winter months and typically reopens in late spring.
Featured in: Best Fall Color Spots in Colorado
Combine it with
Horse Ranch Park (Kebler Pass Road) · Ohio Pass (The Castles Overlook) · Lost Lake Slough · Crested Butte
More Colorado spots
Sterling (storm/plains) · Abyss Trail to Helms Lake · The Loch
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · uncovercolorado.com · en.wikipedia.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.