Schofield Pass Devil’s Punchbowl Crystal Mill

Hi all,

Saturday, after the FCT, Akoller, Cj3bmutt, and I wheeled Schofield Pass from Crested Butte, CO to The Crystal Mill.



I think this is my new favorite trail. It is mostly narrow shelf roads which are my favorite trails. For those who have done Black Bear Road, think of the “Steps”, but imagine they go on for a quarter mile with multiple “Adios Curves” and large rocks in the way. After this there are miles of narrow shelf road. The drop offs are intimidating but also make it easy to see the beautiful landscape:







Devil’s Punchbowl:



.... but what is more amazing than that is the payoff at the end. Crystal Mill:





Here is the video. It’s long but worth it:



I will absolutely be back. Thanks to Alan and Kris for wheeling with me!



Edited by jpet - 25 Sep. 2019 at 1:01pm

Wow, what an epic trail. Thanks for posting.

The week before we were there a motorcycle rider from Texas went over the edge, landed in the Punchbowl, and survived:



Check our the 5:20 mark of this video.

That was a fun day. I'm am glad it worked out to go run this trail with you my friend. It was definitely a highlight of my trip. That was my 3rd time on the trail and it just doesn't get old. It to is one of my favorites. The scenery is second to none.

First crossed Schofield Pass in 1961, it has become rougher over the years. I have always gone from the Marble/Chrystal side.

Jpet you rock.  I am new to the flat fender jeeps but not to off roading.   I live in Michigan and dream of the day I can get away from work and do some trails like this.  Hopefully we will meet up one day.  I appreciate your always posting videos and pics of your adventures.  Rock on brother.  

JeepFever wrote: jpet wrote: I think this is my new favorite trail.   Rub it in . .   I could have been there.   . . and wheeled with Akoller . . fellow SM420 buddy.   Seriously though,  if I would have gone west, I would have missed some good family activities.   Nice photos,  need to check out the video.

Honestly Ron, when Jeff mentioned several weeks ago that there was the possibility of you joining us I was pretty excited to finally meet you in person. We have interacted back in forth through the page for a while now and a lot of what I have done on Thumper was motivated by what has worked so well on Wilson. When Jeff showed up to Colorado without you I was disappointed. Oh well.... I imagine it won't be long before we do have the opportunity to do some wheeling together. You could always run out here to Kansas next month to do the run at Tuttle! It can't be more than a 20 hour drive each way.