The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Full roadway connectivity achieved for the Gunnison Valley
By Katherine Nettles
After some delays associated with lingering snow and Kebler Pass roadway repairs, Ohio Pass opened for the summer season on Tuesday, June 27.
According to Gunnison County public works director Martin Schmidt, crews had better success than anticipated with a sudden meltout over the past few days that enabled them to plow and allow Ohio Pass Road (County Road 730) to dry.
The Gunnison Ranger District worked with the county to get the road open since it travels through the Gunnison National Forest accessing the trailheads for Lily Lake, Beaver Ponds and Swampy Pass. The pass climbs to an elevation of 10,066 feet and still held deep snow that had to be plowed out for the road to dry and harden.
County crews could not focus on Ohio Pass Road, which turns southeast off Kebler Road, until repairs were finished on Kebler.
Acting Gunnison District ranger Chris Olson told the Crested Butte News earlier this week that a Gunnison District engineer was working with the county to assess Ohio Pass.
Schmidt updated the News once the work had been finished on Tuesday evening.
“We have magnesium chloride [applications] scheduled for Kebler on the 28th, 29th and 30th,” said Schmidt.
