West Elk Mountains Scenic Loop

Today Wilma and Mark took us on the 200 mile or so scenic drive around the West Elk Mountains. The high country scenery was magnificent and the occasionally threatening clouds never opened up on us.


Some areas are open range, meaning cattle are grazing there, sometimes right along the road as in this photo in which two bulls were head butting, probably in a turf war.


Kebler Pass was crossed on the dirt road from Paonia to Crested Butte, after we visited the campground up at Lost Lake where I had camped a dozen or more years ago on a trip to this area.

Lunch was in Crested Butte at Paradise Cafe right on main street, where we all enjoyed memorable sandwiches along with the sterling conversation.


The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was also on the route and we stopped at numerous overlooks where we looked down the steep canyon walls to the Gunnison River 2000 feet below.