Getting Oriented
Schofield Pass crosses the divide between the Crystal River and East River drainages in Gunnison County, between Marble (a small artistic mountain town) and Mount Crested Butte (the ski-resort base village). Crystal, a small inhabited mountain settlement on the Marble side, sits at the base of the technical climb. The pass takes its name from B.F. Schofield, an 1879 prospector whose town site at the summit boomed briefly during a silver rush.
Trail Overview
From Marble, the road follows the Crystal River past Lizard Lake, drops into Crystal Canyon, and continues to the village of Crystal at 8,800 feet. Most travelers stop at Crystal; the road from Marble to Crystal is moderate gravel suitable for most high-clearance vehicles. From Crystal, the route turns dramatically harder.
Above Crystal the road climbs into Crystal Canyon proper through the Devil's Punchbowl. The Punchbowl is a narrow shelf cut into a cliff with a sheer drop of up to 300 feet on the downhill side. Drivers must commit; backing out is impossible if you meet oncoming traffic. From the Punchbowl the road continues climbing to the 10,707-foot pass summit and descends past the historic Schofield town site to Gothic Road, which runs south to Crested Butte.
Driving the full pass takes 4 to 6 hours.
Points of Interest
- Crystal Mill. An 1893 wooden powerhouse on the Crystal River, on private land but visible from the road. One of the most-photographed structures in Colorado.
- Crystal village. A small inhabited mountain settlement at 8,800 feet, originally a silver-mining camp.
- Devil's Punchbowl. The technical crux, a narrow shelf above a 300-foot drop.
- Schofield town site. Foundations and tailings from the 1879 silver-rush boomtown at the summit.
- Gothic Road. The descent from the pass to Crested Butte, paralleling the East River.
- Lizard Lake. A small lake midway between Marble and Crystal.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding national forest with the standard 14-day stay limit. There are several Forest Service campgrounds on the Crested Butte side along Gothic Road. Marble has a small commercial campground. No camping in the village of Crystal (private land).
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Travel August through early September. The pass is impassable the rest of the year.
- Most casual visitors should stop at the Crystal Mill viewpoint, not attempt the full pass.
- Inspect brakes, emergency brake, tires, and steering before starting.
- Travel in two or more vehicles. The Punchbowl tolerates no breakdowns.
- Cell coverage is absent.
- Yield to uphill traffic on shelf-road sections. Backing up on a single-lane cliff is dangerous.
- The Crystal Mill is on private property; do not climb on or enter the structure. Photograph from the public road.
- Lightning hits the high pass in summer afternoons. Start early.
- Contact the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests at 970-874-6600 for current conditions.
