Kebler Pass Is A Magical Place In Colorado That You Thought Only Existed In Your Dreams
By Christy Articola|Published June 06, 2023
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Christy Articola
Author
Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
Colorado is magical in general, but some places are even more magical than others. In fact, some places in our great state are downright dreamy, and almost don’t seem real even when you’re right in the middle of the beauty all around you. One of the dreamiest places in The Centennial State is Kebler Pass near Crested Butte. The scenic drive over Kebler Pass in Colorado is something that you’ll never forget.
The road that goes over Kebler Pass is called Gunnison County Route 12 by the Colorado Department of Transportation, but most people just call it Kebler Pass. It's about 33 miles long.
This road starts in Crested Butte and heads west over the West Elk Mountains.
It's one of the most beautiful drives in the state. Even if you've seen countless other pretty places in Colorado, this drive will make you feel like you're in some sort of a dream.
Most of this route is gravel, which is why it has to be closed in winter. The snow just gets too deep to be passable. However, in the summer months, this road is accessible for all passenger vehicles.
Kebler Pass Road, aka GCR 12, ends when it intersects State Highway 133 near Paonia State Park and Somerset. Even though the route is much shorter than it would be going back through Gunnison to get to Paonia, you won’t really save much time going this way. The main reason to take Kebler Pass in Colorado is the beauty, so plan at least two and a half hours to get over the pass – it’s worth the trip!
If you’re looking for a pass that’s even more thrilling, but in a totally different way, Red Mountain Pass is perhaps the most dangerous mountain pass in the state!
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