Schofield Pass (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Schofield Pass |
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 Schofield Pass
Location in Colorado
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| Elevation | 10,707 ft (3,263 m) |
| Traversed by | Unimproved road |
| Location | Gunnison County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | Sawatch Range |
| Coordinates | 39°00′54″N 107°02′48″W / 39.01500°N 107.04667°W |
| Topo map | USGS Snowmass Mountain |
Schofield Pass is a mountain pass located in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. A mountain pass is like a low spot or a gap between mountains, making it easier to travel from one side to another. This pass is very high up, reaching about 10,707 ft (3,263 m) above sea level.
Schofield Pass is the highest point on the road that connects two towns: Marble and Crested Butte. Because of its high elevation, the pass is usually covered in snow or mud for most of the year. It is typically open for travel only for a short time, usually one or two months in the late summer.
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Exploring Schofield Pass
Schofield Pass offers different experiences depending on which direction you are coming from. The road over the pass is not a smooth, paved highway. It is an unimproved road, meaning it is not regularly maintained and can be rough.
Traveling from Crested Butte
If you are traveling from Crested Butte, the road leading up to the townsite of Schofield is generally okay for a regular car. However, your car should have a bit of extra space between its bottom and the ground. This is called "moderate clearance" and helps prevent the car from scraping on rocks or bumps.
The Road to Crystal
The most challenging part of the road is between the townsite of Schofield and the town of Crystal. This section is much rougher and is only recommended for special vehicles like Jeeps or ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles). These vehicles are built to handle very difficult terrain.
What is Devil's Punchbowl Canyon?
As the road goes down into an area called Devil's Punchbowl Canyon, it becomes very narrow and rocky. It's like a shelf road, meaning it's carved into the side of a steep mountain. This part of the road can be a bit scary because it's exposed, with steep drops on one side.
Traveling from Marble
If you are coming from the northwest, starting from the town of Marble, you can also reach Crystal. For this route, you will need vehicles with "high clearance." This means vehicles that sit very high off the ground, like Jeeps, to avoid damage from large rocks and uneven surfaces. There are two different ways to get there from Marble.
Who Was Schofield Pass Named After?
Schofield Pass was named after a person named B. F. Schofield. He was a silver miner, someone who worked to find and dig up silver from the ground. Many places in the old mining areas of Colorado were named after the people who explored or worked there.
