Kebler Pass

In 2000, 1% for Open Space finished granting $36,125 to the Crested Butte Land Trust for the purchase of 320 acres of land near Kebler Pass. This swath of land at Kebler Pass is located on the south side of County Road 12 (aka Kebler Pass) which takes off from the west side of the town of Crested Butte. The land encompasses much of the Kebler Pass Wagon Trail and terminates by the top of the actual pass. The reason for the purchase of this land is to create/improve the Old Wagon Trail offering recreationalists a way to ride on the West Elk Scenic Byway without being on the dirt road. Kebler Pass is a dirt road that connects Crested Butte to Highway 133 with access to Carbondale or Paonia. The road is part of the West Elk Scenic Byway.

1% for Open Space felt strongly about supporting this effort by the Crested Butte Land Trust because it aligns with our mission in many ways. First and foremost it improves access to recreational opportunities and improves the recreational experience by keeping people off dusty dirt roads. The Old Wagon Trail is a connection to The Dyke Trail, to Lake Irwin, to Horse Ranch Park and on to Erickson Springs. The Old Wagon Trail also offers its users beautiful views of the Ruby Range. On top of that, this project is an effort to protect the 50 acres of wetlands that are part of this property and run adjacent to the road. Because there are wetlands next to the road the use of Mag Chloride is prohibited making the roads more dusty therefore creating a real need for a trail off the road. This is what the purchase of the Kebler Pass property accomplishes. 1% for Open Space, The Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Board, the Town of Crested Butte, Gunnison County, State Trails and the Crested Butte Land Trust all helped make this project possible.