Washington Gulch

In 1999, 1% for Open Space granted the Crested Butte Land Trust $35,000 for the purchase of 53 acres of land in Washington Gulch. Washington Gulch is one of the five drainages surrounding the town of Crested Butte. Washington Gulch is located north of Crested Butte between the Slate River Valley and the Gothic/East River Valley. The 53 acres of land is located near the end of Washinton Gulch before the switchbacks to the trailhead for 403. The property is situated under a large home that sits to the west side of the forest service road.

1% for Open Space was thrilled to be a part of preserving this property in this mostly undeveloped drainage of the Gunnison Valley. In preserving these 53 acres, the ecosystem and watershed integrity of the area are also preserved. The creek running through Washington Gulch is a tributary to the Slate River, which is a tributary to the Gunnison River which eventually leads to the mighty Colorado River. The property is also made up of wetlands, forest and high alpine meadows. It is surrounded by National Forest and therefore increases the uninterrupted open space in the gulch. The property was bought at an important time as it could have been sold and developed.