The Crested Butte Area-So Many Choices!
Slate River Road FR 734/Washington Gulch Road FR 811 
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How to get there:
| SH 135/Elk Ave | N38.8697° | W106.9820° |
| SH 135/Slate River | N38.8798° | W106.9763° |
| SH 135/Wash Gulch | N38.8898° | W106.9725° |
| Sl Riv/Poverty Gulch | N38.0158° | W107.0615° |
| Paradise Pass | N38.9887° | W107.0647° |
From the town of Crested Butte, travel on CR 317 towards the ski resort. In about 0.8 of a mile you will come to the turn for Slate River Road. Another mile on CR 317 will take will take you to the turn for the Washington Gulch Road. Both roads are marked with street signs. I would recommend that you travel the loop in a counterclockwise direction by starting on Washington Gulch Road and returning on the Slate River Road.
Photo Ops: 
You should start seeing flowers about 4-5 miles up either road in a cool, wet year with a greater abundance of flowers occurring at the higher elevations, especially in drier years.
Several small ponds with good opportunities for reflections of the surrounding peaks are located near Paradise Pass. Dawn or shortly thereafter would be the best time of day.
Near the top of the Washington Gulch Road, is an icredible view down the Slate River valley with peaks to the south and west. This valley can be fantastically lush and green.
Cascade Mountain 
On the Slate River Road near the town of Pittsburgh, turn westerly on the Poverty Gulch Road, travel about two miles and take the fork to the right and park in the next 100 yards or so. Continue on foot upstream for photo ops of waterfalls and cascades. Afternoon light is best.
Lake Irwin Area
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How to get there:
| CR 12/CR 826 | N38.8575° | W107.0955° |
Trailhead to Robinson Basin |
N38.8865° | W107.1057° |
From SH 135, take Elk Ave. west through Crested Butte. It will turn into CR 12 the Kebler Pass Road. After 6.8 miles or so, turn north on CR 826 towards Lake Irwin. Travel past the lake and explore any of the next three roads one of which leads to Robinson Basin.
Photo Ops:
Robinson Basin is extremely photogenic with lots of flowers, waterfalls, mountain vistas, streams and small ponds. Afternoon light is best.
Kebler Pass Road CR 12 
How to get there:
From SH 135, take Elk Ave. west through Crested Butte. It will turn into CR 12 the Kebler Pass Road which is part of the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. The road continues to SH 133 near the Paonia Reservoir, a distance of about 26 miles. This is a well maintained gravel road and should be easily traversed with a passenger car.
Photo Ops: 
This road travels through a huge aspen forest with several mountain vistas. Very nice. Try a side trip to Lost Lake at a turn to the south at mile 16. Morning and afternoon light work well depending on the location.
Ohio Creek Road CR 730
How to get there:
| CR 12/CR 730 | N38.8523° | W107.0977° |
From SH 135, take Elk Ave. west through Crested Butte. It will turn into CR 12 the Kebler Pass Road. After 7.2 miles take the fork to the left or south. The road is usually passable by ordinary passenger cars although it can be somewhat rough in sections. It will eventually reconnect with SH 135 a few miles north of Gunnison.
Photo Ops:
About two miles from the junction with the Kebler Pass road, there is a gorgeous overlook of a huge aspen forest with The Castle rock formation in the mountain range to the south. Continuing on the road one enters the aspens and several miles later ranchland.
Cement Creek Road
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How to get there:
| SH 135/CR 740 | N38.8043° | W106.8905° |
| Cement Creek Rd ends | N38.9670° | W106.7698° |
| SH 135/CR 742 | N38.6648° | W106.8462° |
| SH 135/Elk Ave | N38.8697° | W106.9820° |
From the intersection of SH 135/CR 742 at Almont, drive northwest 10.5 miles to CR 740, the Cement Creek road and turn northeast. From there it is about 15 miles to the end of the road.
Or drive southeast from the intersection of SH 135/Elk Ave. in Crested Butte 6.8 miles to the Cement Creek road.
Photo Ops:
As you approach timberline and the end of the road, expect to see plenty of wildflowers. Especially along Cement Creek, which at this point is on your left and down in a small ravine.
All maps on this page © 2007 DeLorme (www.delorme.com) TOPO USA®