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West Elk Loop
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A beautiful day trip, the West Elk Loop makes a full circle around one of Colorado's mountain groups. Along the way, the route passes such beautiful spots as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Blue Mesa, the picturesque mountain town of Crested Butte, and two state parks. There are plenty of places to stop along the way, both for services and to enjoy the view.
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The Basics |
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Location: |
Around the West Elk Mountains in west central Colorado |
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| Setting: |
Mountainous |
| Surface: |
Paved |
| Length: |
205 miles |
| Time to Allow: |
6 to 8 hours |
| Camping Info: |
Lost Lake, Erickson Springs, Almont, Janeway, Avalanche, Redstone, Lake Fork Arm |
| Season: |
Year round (the 31-mile unpaved section west of Crested Butte closes during winter) |
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Directions to Trailhead |
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Take Colorado Highway 133 south from Carbondale to Paonia Reservoir. Follow the loop in either direction: clockwise leads over Kebler Pass to Crested Butte, south on Hwy 135 to Gunnison, west to Sapinero along US 50, northwest along CO Hwy 92 to Hotchkiss, and then northeast back to Paonia Reservoir.
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