Cottonwood Pass is closed for the season

Kebler open to Irwin Y until Thanksgiving

Gunnison County announced Tuesday, October 26 that it has closed Cottonwood Pass “for the winter season due to snow storms, blowing snow and excessive drifting” on the road. The pass road is usually closed by about November 1.

The early-season storm, combined with some tricky topography, made for difficult conditions on Cottonwood that stranded several cars.
“We had cars stuck on the road last night and so did Chaffee County,” said Gunnison County director of public works Marlene Crosby on Tuesday. “Now Chaffee County has decided to close their side of the pass.”
On Kebler Pass, which isn’t as steep or exposed as Cottonwood Pass, cars will have another few weeks of access before the snowmobiles take over.
Prior to last year, Kebler had historically been closed in the middle of November. But at the request of Crested Butte Nordic Council director Keith Bauer, the county agreed to give the skiers access to some of the season’s earliest snow.
Crosby says her department will be plowing to the Irwin Y until Thanksgiving to accommodate the council’s Nordic skiing camp.