Schofield Pass via FS-317
5.0 mi
Distance
2 hrs 26 min
Time
terrain
1,776 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail to Schofield Pass in White River National Forest.
This trail goes by Devil’s Punch Bowl, Not Devil’s Punch Bowl, Schofield Park Parking, and West Maroon Trailhead.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Public Tracks
Schofield Pass - © Trails Offroad
Schofield Pass is a popular 4.5-mile straight-through connector used in conjunction with several other road options to connect Marble and Crested Butte. This iconic 4-wheel-drive trail can be driven in either direction. It is best to drive from north to south, giving you the uphill right-of-way for the entire trail. Schofield Pass is extremely rocky and bumpy, making for slow progress. Although there are no major rock obstacles, this trail should not be taken lightly. The first 1.7 miles are continuously narrow, following an extremely steep, exposed rocky shelf for most of the way with very limited passing opportunities. This trail is best traveled by small groups due to the limited passing opportunities and high probability of hitting oncoming traffic. At times, the trail is so narrow that the dropoff can be only a few inches from the tires, and it is not uncommon to hear your tires pushing rocks off the edge.
At 1.5 miles, you reach the infamous Devil's Punchbowl, a waterfall you drive next to, where the trail becomes unnervingly off-camber, slightly leaning towards the canyon bottom as you make your way over jagged, rib-like rocks. The trail continues following a narrow shelf road where rock slides and washouts are common after harsh winters and during monsoon periods. Once out of Crystal Canyon, the road mellows out substantially and enters into lush forest and scenic meadows.
Although the seasonal closure lifts at the end of May, the canyon can easily hold snow well into summer, keeping the entire trail from being passable until July.
This trail is not a beginner trail. Previous offroad experience is needed to travel this trail safely. Knowing the exact width of your vehicle and where your tires are precisely at all times ensures your journey through Schofield Pass is problem-free. Although an experienced driver could navigate the trail in a stock high clearance 4x4, aggressive offroad tires, skidplates, and recovery equipment are highly recommended.
Schofield Pass
<html xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format" xmlns:msxsl="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xslt">
<head>
<META http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
</head>
<body style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;overflow:auto;background:#FFFFFF;">
<table style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Times;font-size:12px;text-align:left;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;padding:3px 3px 3px 3px">
<tr style="text-align:center;font-weight:bold;background:#9CBCE2">
<td>Schofield Pass</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<table style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Times;font-size:12px;text-align:left;width:100%;border-spacing:0px; padding:3px 3px 3px 3px">
<tr>
<td>OBJECTID_1</td>
<td>232</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#D4E4F3">
<td>Trail</td>
<td>Schofield Pass</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHAPE_Leng</td>
<td>7430.695333</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#D4E4F3">
<td>Rating_Avg</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>
Devil's Punchbowl 2.5
Devil's Punchbowl is a beautiful pool at the base of a waterfall. Very nice spot. The challenge is to get to it and away from it.
Devil's Punchbowl 2.5
Devil's Punchbowl is a beautiful pool at the base of a waterfall. Very nice spot. The challenge is to get to it and away from it.
Devil's Punchbowl 2.5
Devil's Punchbowl is a beautiful pool at the base of a waterfall. Very nice spot. The challenge is to get to it and away from it.
