Labor Day Weekend in the Elk Mountains

[IntrepidXJ]

I headed the Elk Mountains this weekend. Unfortunately Amanda got sick the day before, so she stayed home this weekend. I met up with XJTodd and his wife from NAXJA and we camped just above Crystal.

We started out Saturday morning in Lead King Basin.

North Fork Crystal River

Lead King Basin

After finishing the Lead King Basin Loop, we headed to Crystal

Of course we stopped at the Lost Horse Mill

 

[IntrepidXJ]

...and made a quick stop in Crystal

Then we made our way up to Schofield Pass.

Trail on the left

Devils Punchbowl

Next we headed down into Paradise Basin

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Last, we took the short side trip up to Gunsight Pass before heading into Crested Butte for some dinner.

Todd crossing the Slate River

Crested Butte in the distance

Remains of the Daisy Mine on the right

Looking down into Redwell Basin

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Sunday, I did a little exploring on my own before I started making my way home.

I had to head up over schofiled Pass again, and since it was early I was able to avoid the traffic this time around

The snow tunnel that was intact the day before had collapsed over night

Better picture of Devils Punchbowl

This time, instead of heading down Paradise Basin, I went down Washington Gulch....unfortuantely it started raining a bit and the sky was cloudy.

When I made it back to CB, I headed up towards Gothic

Lake Emerald

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Then I took the short spur into Rustler Gulch

After heading back down to Crested Butte and gassing up, I headed out of town over Kebler Pass and made my way back home.

I had a great weekend and look forward to heading back and hitting some more of the trails I missed this time

Full gallery can be found here: http://www.myxj.net/g2/v/2008trips/labor_day_elk_mtns

 

[Fergie]

Is the Punchbowl as dangerous and difficult as I have read? Or just a bunch of hoopla?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Is the Punchbowl as dangerous and difficult as I have read? Or just a bunch of hoopla?

Just like Black Bear, it's difficulty is over-rated to the experienced driver. However, it certainly would be difficult/scary to a novice in a stock vehicle.

Here's a picture of the narrowest and most technical section above the punchbowl

The other major issue would be if 2 vehicles met along the long narrow shelf road.....very very few places to pass.

 

[sinuhexavier]

Once again another worthwhile post...


Nice one!