Suds, Chili & Tunes Kick Off Autumn in Mt. Crested Butte

Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, September 6

Get into the spirit of autumn with Mt. Crested Butte’s annual Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-off held at the base of the ski area from noon – 6 p.m. On Sept. 6, heat up by sampling great chili prepared by area cook-off contestants from noon – 2 p.m., then cool off with beers poured by Colorado microbreweries from noon – 4 p.m. Two bands will provide the tunes, with Great American Taxi from noon – 3:30 p.m. and Shurman from 4:30 – 6 p.m.

Help select “Crested Butte’s Favorites” in a range of categories: pale ale, amber/brown ale, dark ale/porter/stout, light lager, amber/dark lager; wheat beer; and specialty beer/strong beer/Belgians. There is no charge to enter the chili cook-off, which features four categories: anything goes, professionals only, vegetarian, and International Chili Society red (no beans or fillers). Cash prizes are awarded for the best chili.

Admission is $10 for chili only, $15 for beer only, and $20 for beer and chili. Admission includes unlimited “tasting samples” and 6 full-size beers. No admission will be charged after 4 p.m.

Transportation is provided to and from Crested Butte to the base area by free Mountain Express buses. There also will be a Safe Ride shuttle to provide transportation to and from Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte and anywhere in between.

The event is presented by the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce and Mt. Crested Butte Town Center Community Association. For more information and to enter the chili cook-off, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (970) 349-6438.

Explore Colors on Stunning Fall Drives in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Nature and the towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte are bursting with spectacular color and a wide range of activities throughout the month of September. Whether blazing trails by foot, mountain bike, horse or automobile, there is something to please adventurers and explorers of all ages.



To share the spectacular scenery and weather, Gunnison and Crested Butte have teamed up to present “September Splendor in the Rockies,” a month-long celebration featuring a full calendar of events. For a listing of September Splendor activities, visit www.septembersplendor.com. Also, consider the following five fall drive ideas to experience Gunnison County bathed in the glory of autumn’s amazing palette.


FALL DRIVE ROUTES

Ohio Creek Road to Kebler Pass

Take a left on Ohio Creek Road in north Gunnison off Highway 135 (look for signs). About 12 miles up the Ohio Creek Valley, near a series of ranch buildings that mark the abandoned site of Castleton, travelers will see the spires of “the Castles.” These are erosion remnants carved out of volcanic debris that erupted from the West Elk Volcano, now extinct. Approximately 15 miles from the Ohio Creek junction are abandoned buildings and sheds of Baldwin, the company town for one of the largest coal mines in the region. Look for a fine view of the Anthracite Range from here. In a short distance, the road will become steep and flatten out again before reaching Ohio Pass, which is about 2 miles from the intersection with Kebler Pass heading west toward Paonia Dam and Kebler Pass Road heading east to Crested Butte. Before heading to Crested Butte, take a short detour and head north to the beautiful Lake Irwin.

West Elk Loop Scenic & Historic Byway

From Gunnison, the byway heads north on Highway 135 to Crested Butte, continues on Kebler Pass Road running west along Coal Creek (turns to gravel) and connects to the 30-mile-long Kebler Pass (also gravel and a popular fair-weather route to Aspen). Kebler Pass links with Highway 133 near Paonia Dam. At this point, travelers can go north on the West Elk Loop Byway over McClure Pass to Marble, Redstone and Carbondale. Going south on Highway 133 takes travelers to Somerset, Bowie, Hotchkiss, Crawford, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Sapinero and Curecanti National Recreation Area before returning to Gunnison. There is an excellent brochure, "Experience the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway," available at Chambers of Commerce along the route.

Kebler Pass

This is just one segment of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway, but is a popular fall drive on its own. The 30-mile Kebler Pass road follows Coal Creek west from Crested Butte and climbs gradually past the old Keystone Mine. The graveled road follows the old Rio Grande Railroad grade toward Kebler Pass and the once booming mining camps of Irwin and Ruby, the lumber camp of Telco, and the coal mining town of Floresta. At the top of the pass, a road forks left toward Ohio Pass and Gunnison and right toward Kebler Pass. Kebler Pass heads into the Anthracite Creek drainage and through incredible Aspen groves, meeting Highway 133 at the Paonia Dam. This is a popular route linking Crested Butte to roadways that travel to Aspen, passing through the charming towns of Redstone and Carbondale along the way.

Crested Butte to Gothic & Schofield Pass

Drive three miles from Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte (where ski resort is located) and continue to Gothic, located on the east bank of the East River at the junction with Copper Creek. Gothic was a mid- to late-1800s boom town that now houses the famed Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The famous Crystal Mill is only 9 miles down the road from Gothic via Schofield Pass. Schofield Pass is not a passenger car road; a 4-wheel drive vehicle is required or hire an outdoor touring company.


Almont to Various Scenic Routes

Between the towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte on Highway 135 is Almont, where the Taylor and East Rivers meet to create the Gunnison River. From Gunnison, go east at Almont on Taylor Canyon Road to Taylor Park Dam and Reservoir. >From here travelers have three choices: 1.) Go east on Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista; 2.) Go north and loop back to Almont on Spring Creek Road; or 3.) Go southeast through one of the richest gold strike areas in Gunnison County traveling through Tincup, over Cumberland Pass, and through Pitkin, Ohio City and Parlin before reaching Gunnison.