Schofield Pass, Colorado

Schofield is incredible and extremely dangerous. Originally built as a wagon route in 1883, this high mountain pass between Marble and Crested Butte, Colorado, is known as a "shelf road" – meaning that the roadbed is formed by blasting areas into solid rock on the side of sheer canyon walls. There is spectacular scenery if you are willing to risk your life to see it!

The most popular route between Crested Butte, Colorado and Marble, Colorado is on Schofield Pass. The route is only twenty-four miles long, but it will take most of one day to complete. It is a popular route for offroad vehicles, ATV's and Jeeps.

This road is a prime example of a "shelf road" – a route that has been formed by blasting a path for a roadway into solid rock on the deep walls of canyons. The walls of the canyon rise up thousands of feet. The various cracks of the canyon walls provide a place for tumbling water to cascade down the sheer rock walls. The rushing sound of the Crystal River can be heard as you bump along. This pristine river makes its way along the bottom of the canyon walls.

This is not a route for the faint of heart. There are no guardrails and very little room for error – including any type of mechanical failure, or trying to avoid another poor driver on the roadway. Open only during the summer months – the road can be closed for snow blockage as late as July or can become closed due to rockslides. Check with local officials before trying this back road of Colorado.