The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Weather the prime indicator
[ By Mark Reaman ]
This is the time of year when everyone wonders when the two secondary mountain pass roads in and out of the valley will close. We touched base with Gunnison County Public Works director Marlene Crosby about the state of Kebler and Cottonwood passes.
“We have a cooperative agreement with Chaffee County on Cottonwood. The road is not closed, but there is no plowing after October 31,” Crosby explained. “We will not close the gates on either side, until weather makes it unsafe or impassable.
“Kebler always depends on the weather,” Crosby continued. “We try to keep it open until Thanksgiving, but that can change if we need the personnel and equipment on school bus routes.”
So looking at the weather forecast for the area that calls for a little snow on Sunday, it appears the passes will stay good to use at least to the upcoming weekend and probably a bit beyond. But we all know someone who tried to push the envelope and left a car near the top of the pass. Be aware and understand the concept of personal responsibility.
