Ohio Pass (The Castles Overlook)
A quiet back road off Kebler Pass, with aspen-clad slopes and views toward the volcanic spires of The Castles.
About Ohio Pass
Ohio Pass sits at about 10,065 feet in the Anthracite Range of the West Elk Mountains, about one mile southeast of Kebler Pass. Gunnison County Road 730 leaves Kebler Pass Road west of Crested Butte and crosses the pass on its way south down the Ohio Creek valley toward Gunnison.
The road is unpaved and much quieter than Kebler. It passes trailheads for Lily Lake, Beaver Ponds and Swampy Pass, winds through big aspen stands, and opens up views west toward The Castles, a cluster of rock pillars about 500 feet tall that are the signature landmark of the West Elk Wilderness.
In late September the whole drive turns into a tapestry of gold, orange and green aspen, which is when photographers flock here.
A dirt road over a 10,000-foot gap in the Anthracite Range south of Kebler Pass, best known for the overlook where the pine forest opens and the rock towers called the Castles rise above a huge bowl of aspen. It is a short, easy drive from Crested Butte and one of the best fall-color views in the Gunnison Valley, with no hiking required to reach the main viewpoint. For photographers it is a sunrise spot first: arrive in the dark, set up facing the Castles, and shoot through the alpenglow and the first warm light on the aspens. A wide lens handles the scale, and bracketing helps hold the bright sky and the shadowed ridge together. Midday light still works when the aspens are at peak, and the road is rough enough that a high-clearance vehicle is smart, especially after rain.
History
Before the modern county road, a wagon road crossed Ohio Pass to link the mining camps of Ruby and Irwin to the north with Gunnison to the south. A railroad was planned over the pass but its tracks ended at coal mines about seven miles south.
The Castles, which rise to 12,296 feet, are made of stratified volcanic breccia eroded from debris of the ancient West Elk volcano, roughly 28 million years old. Runoff from them feeds Castle Creek, then Ohio Creek and the Gunnison River.
Photographing Ohio Pass
Best light: The Castles sit west of the Ohio Creek road, so morning light falls on their east-facing walls and the aspen slopes in front of them; at sunset they turn to silhouettes against the western sky. Peak aspen color usually lands in late September.
Shots to look for
- The Castles above layered fall aspens with a 70-200mm to stack the color bands
- Wide views from the pass over the West Elks and the Ohio Creek valley, 24-70mm
- Patterns of white aspen trunks and gold leaves in soft overcast light
- Sunset silhouettes of the spires against a colorful western sky
- Beaver ponds near the road with reflected aspens on calm mornings
Photo tips
- The road is dirt and can be rutted or slick after rain; take it slow and pull fully off the road to shoot
- Fall color weekends bring traffic on Kebler and Ohio Pass; go on weekdays or at dawn
- Overcast days are ideal for aspen detail shots; save big views for clear mornings
- Snow can linger on the pass into early summer; the road has opened as late as late June in big snow years
- Drones are not allowed in the West Elk Wilderness
Know before you go
- County Road 730 is unpaved and closed in winter; opening dates depend on snowpack
- Shoulders are narrow; drop-offs exist and vehicles have gone off the edge, so drive carefully
- Cell coverage is limited; download maps before you go
Prints from Ohio Pass
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ohio Pass paved?
No. County Road 730 over Ohio Pass is a dirt road, generally fine for passenger cars in dry conditions but best driven slowly.
What are The Castles near Crested Butte?
A cluster of volcanic breccia spires about 500 feet tall in the West Elk Wilderness, topping out at 12,296 feet. They're the signature landmark of the wilderness.
When is the best time to see fall colors on Ohio Pass?
Usually late September, though timing shifts by a week or two each year.
Featured in: Best Fall Color Spots in Colorado · Best Sunrise Photography Spots in Colorado
Combine it with
Horse Ranch Park (Kebler Pass Road) · Kebler Pass · Crested Butte · Lost Lake Slough
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · crestedbuttenews.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.