Schofield Pass lies north of Emerald Lake at 10,707 feet. It may be reached from Crested Butte, via Slate River Road; Gothic, via Gothic Road and Marble, via Crystal Canyon. The Crystal Canyon road, Forest Road 317, is generally known as Schofield Pass. It is one of the most dangerous four-wheel drive roads in Colorado. On the Gothic side of the canyon road is a home made sign that warns visitors that several people have died in vehicle accidents on Schofield Pass. In fact, entire families have perished by their vehicles catapulting from the cliffs that line the road. This is not to be taken lightly or driven by the inexperienced. Get out and walk through the Crystal Canyon, it's really beautiful! What makes this stretch of road so treacherous are huge rock steps (three feet tall) that comprise the narrow road bed. On one side of the steps is a rock wall that drops into the South Fork of the Crystal River. The weathering on the canyon is equally beautiful and life threatening.
Directions from Gothic: Travel seven miles north on Gothic Road, passed Emerald Lake.
Directions from Marble: Travel south through Crystal Canyon to Schofield Pass on Forest Road 317 (White River National Forest, Sopris Ranger District).
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