When I ran this trail in my wife's Honda CRV, I realized that good tires are really important and we should be considerate to hikers and other off roaders. Loved the views!
Back in the '60s my grandparents owned a cabin in Guffey. I remember going to see the Devil's Punch Bowl one summer, but the road didn't seem to be that horrific then. We were kids in my grandfather's Jeep. I just remember the "excitement" about looking for the devil at his punchbowl.
I live in central Colorado and am a veteran offroader. I did Schofield Pass by myself in a full size Power Wagon... NEVER again in a full size. Could never for the life of me figure out why this trail isn't one way. It is easy to make judgments watching this video but being on site on that trail with the FJ hanging off the edge is something else. You have to be properly equipped and know what the hell you are doing to not risk being pulled over the edge with it trying to do a recovery. I have done dangerous hairy recoveries like that. With no trees very hard to anchor the vehicle to the opposite side of the trail or pull it up sideways back onto the trail.
Marble is an awesome place to be from! I went through there doing some kayaking in the 90s. Moving to Marble has always been in back of my mind. You probably don’t want more people anyways 😂
That 16th time will not be mentioned . Yes - it is a great video and now on my bucket list. When I was a student in New Zealand in the 70's a popular wall poster was of that Crsystal mill. It would be fun to visit it. I did Imogene, Black Bear etc a couple years ago - time to head back.
I rescued a silver FJ in the exact same situation this summer up on Poughkeepsie Gulch trail in the San Juans. Used two vehicles one on each end and winched the vehicle up the hill sideways.
I'm AZ we have lot of shelf roads also I have pulled jeeps back up even from the front we usually connect 2 or 3 jeeps in a row so we have 3 times the weight no way for pulling jeeps to get pulled down even if the back end swings down hill. Jeeps we drive are beat up rock crawlers we don't care if they flip over just push them over again keep going. I used to have fancy jeep like these in the video realized no way to keep them looking nice wheeling the rocks.
Agreed. That trail is no joke. Did it in my JT on 37s. Totally a pucker fest. Was up there October 5. Ran from Buen Vista to Marble in a team of 2. Camped at Emerald Lake on friday night the 4th.
Did that trail last year...feel like I know where that particular part of the trail is. Strange how they got in that spot. The stretch next to the punch bowl is far more sketch. Great video. Happy Trails!
I had a Renault 5 that was really good on roads like this. Being narrow has serious advantages. We got around a gate by picking up the rear end and swiveling it around. One important trick is to put your tires on the high spots so you don't get high centered or puncture the oil pan or gas tank. Be super careful pulling out anything hanging over a cliff. You can both end up making an uncontrolled descent.
Remember as a kid in the 70s going over that with my uncle in an early 60s international scout. Yikes I don't think I'll ever forget that trip!! Excellent footage and love the drone coverage :-)
Thanks. I just wouldn't have felt right if we had made things worse for the guy or ended up sending his vehicle all the way over. Had it been my own vehicle, I would have been willing to try...
When our old 4x4 club did scholfield in September 2000, it WAS DESIGNATED one way only. The hikers threw rocks at our vehicles cause they thought they shouldn't have to share the trail. CHEERS from Colorado
Throwing rocks in such a tense situation could reasonably be considered life-threatening, warranting a self-defense response. Those hikers might want to re-think their behavior in the future.
In my 30 years of hiking in Colorado, I've never heard of hikers doing that. You must have had some really bad luck running into some crazies. Whenever I hike on a road, I fully acknowledge and accept that there will be vehicles. If I don't want to see vehicles, I find trail for hiking only. Pretty simple.
A couple of points. First at the beginning you flipped CB and GS. Crested Butte is south and Glenwood Springs is north of Schofield Pass. Also, when ever you pull over for oncoming traffic, always pull over up hill, not down hill. Per colorado law, the vehicle traveling uphill has thr right of way. Not always practical, but it is the safer way to handle traffic on tight mountain trails. Lastly, as we update trail signage, we are including GMRS channel info, but since only one in one humdred trail users actually read those signs, it will take awhile for it to catch on
@@herbbutters4576 I've only ever heard of the uphill traffic having the right of way. It's easy for the downhill traffic to stop, then resume travel, but not always the case for uphill drivers.
Nice job capturing Schofield Pass. My brother and his wife lived in Marble back in "94 for a few years. Whenever we visited, we hiked up to the pass a couple times but not over as it was always early in the year( early March )and we were hiking on many feet of snow. An all day affair. It was so beautiful, nobody else around. Enjoyed the vid!
OUTSTANDING VIDEO!!! You guys are nuts. I rode/pushed my mountain bike from Marble up to Crystal City... and I thought that was tough! I assume you've seen the video of the red Jeep going off the edge on Black Bear Pass, above Telluride.
Looks like it's time to either make this trail One-Way, like part of Black Bear Pass, or make it a dedicated dirt bike, mountain bike, and hiking trail. Great video, thanks for sharing!
there are a lot of places I went in the past with my 1990 Toyota 4x4 that I will never conceive of going again. It was small, light and maneuverable. My current truck is ... 8' wide and weighs 13 ton ... so I've greatly limited myself which probably keeps me out of trouble
I was there when they were trying to recover the guys motorcycle 5 years ago! We met the guy and the locals were trying to fish the motorcycle out. Amazingly, they guy wasn't hurt at all. Definitely a scary trail!
Pucker factors and traffic... sounds like Ho Chi Mihn City on a good day. I was an independent contractor in the mining industry. Forty-Four years of off-road adventures. Once, alone, thirty miles from the nearest ranch... on top of California's White Mountains. The road beneath my CJ7 slid away... when it stopped only a hard lean to the uphill side, left my Jeep hanging by an invisible thread. i got out, and tied a climbing rope the the rear bumper and a two thousand year old Bristlecone. Using my HiLift Jack, I was able to jack up the Jeep near level. Then, for six hours, I hand laid in a make shift road base under it to be able to back out of trouble. Pucker was tight boy! I have no idea why I didn't roll down that mountain to my certain death... So I know the feeling.
Used to hang out in this area in the late 70s early 80s only been over the pass twice , once in a VW Baja bug the other in a 1966 FJ40 . My wife would dread the ride sometimes getting out and walk even then it’s scary in some places . I’m with you on shelf roads we drove on one trying to get to the town of South Fork 18 miles and kept saying we were glade we didn’t have to come back this way , bingo about a mile from where we were to come out the road sluffed off the mountain and we had to back up for miles before we could get turned around and get out . Life is an adventure go out and enjoy and try not to kill anyone. Thanks for the memories :-)
I completed that route Aug 4th 2024, was my first pass trail. I had a blast and your video captures the route extremely well, nice job. I went on to complete Cinnamon, Black Bear and Imogene passes during my week out in CO. I’m hooked and will return yearly!!
My friend and I camped in Crystal, we had to ditch the Tundra, the trail was too tight, we opted for the mountain bikes with BOB trailers, We had a wonderful time, You guys are Crazy, glad to see that Safety comes first. Loved your Video.
Some of the deaths you mentioned were caused by brake failures while going the opposite direction down the difficult section above the punch bowls. There’s a river crossing at the top of that section. Anyone descending should allow time for their brakes to dry out after crossing the river. This was a problem back in the days of drum brakes on vehicles.
@@advfamily - The 1970 accident when 9 people died was caused by a defect in the transmission of a new GMC Jimmy. GM knew about the problem but told dealers to replace the defective pin only if people complained about it. GM settled out of court for a multi-million dollar payment to the families. I was up there in 2020 with a family member for the 50th anniversary of the accident. We walked it.
Been over it numerous times in an 88 Jeep Cherokee and a 93 Toyota minitruck and mountain bike. The biggest issue is oncoming traffic these days. Once a rockslide trapped is at the bottom of the punch bowl immediately after we passed. Had to winch through 100 yards of snow on the CB side with the rig getting dragged on the sheet metal in early July. Good times!
Beautiful video I did drive to the mill once, but I didn't like that it wasn't one way, so we didn't continue. Not to mention, we watched a rental company drive out a rolled JK! Thanks for sharing.
We did this trail on Mountainbikes, 21 years ago. We did not encounter any vehicles, i think they were not allowed on this trail back then? When we arrived in crested butte, i was really exhausted and tired. But the scenery made it well worth it.
I went down it in my Xterra with an RTT about 4 years ago, but turned around (a 45 point turn) before I got to the rock overhang by the Devil's Punchbowl. It would have put me too close to the edge, with too much off camber for my comfort (would have been okay without the tent), as I would have to get too close to the edge to avoid hitting the overhang with the tent. First time I ever turned around on any Colorado trail. Fortunately, it wasn't a busy day up there, so I didn't have vehicles stacked up behind me or in front of me.
My future wife and I drove her new 86 4Runner (narrow wheelbase) from Marble to Devils Punch bowl in 1988. We were lucky that we were the only riders on the trail that afternoon. We encountered two large boulders on the road. I had to inch our way around them, as I was driving and didn't want to scratch the paint. We had already decided to turn around, but couldn't find a place to turn back. We were hit by a severe thunderstorm just as we reached the bridge below the falls, and figured we could turn back there. We hiked up just above the pool, and decided it was too risky to continue up a road we had no information on, especially with the hard rain. We drove back to the area near Marble and pitched our tent. We drove the long way into Crested Butte, and asked the Chamber of Commerce staff for information on the Pass. "We don't recommend driving on the road, due to the primitive conditions." We were also told there was a discussion on making the road one-way or closing it due to the earlier fatalities. I'm content NOT going back.
@gtit7004 According to what I have learned, the multiple fatality accident occurred during a strong thunder storm! I definitely think it ought to be made one way down hill! There are places where it is impossible to pass!
@@advfamily It was my understanding from the Chamber of Commerce staff that the multiple fatalities that occurred on one crash, happened after the west bound vehicle crossed the stream at some point above the falls, wetting their brakes, but didn't downshift to a low gear. Apparently the driver relied on only brakes instead of taking advantage of the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle's speed.
I rode the Devils Punch Bowl on my DR650 enduro dirt bike without knobby tires, and with less than 1 month of dirt biking experience. I was a student at Western State College in Gunnison at the time.
@@wsimmons4224 I took the DR650 up the Como Lake jeep trail to access Mt Blanca. That was actually rougher than the Devils Punch Bowl. I also rode Black Bear Pass by Telluride on the DR650 that too was more technical on a bike than Schofield.
That appeared to be coming from the Marble side of the Devil's Punch Bowl. Never been that way, always have started in CB, then Gothic, then eventually the Punch Bowl. Just a really awesome place to watch the lichen grow.
Did this last year in a 2nd gen Tundra. Narrow is an understatement! LOL Great video, I regret not getting more content while on the trail. The trail has some great views!
I got the same exact vehicle and you have to know how your rig reacts and moves around off-road before you tackle anything close to this. The 4Runner is capable, but the driver usually isn’t
I used to go up there in the late 70’s and 80’s in a full size Ford pickup, 8’ bed. At the time Schofield Pass was closed unless you wanted to carry your own planks. I would make it to the punch bowl but that was as far as I would go. I was photographing up there when a man came from the other side in a full size Blazer. He offered to loan me his planks, one was cracked. I declined because I was severely 1,000 lbs heavier. I’d also made it in from Crested Butte.
It seems like this trail should be designated as ATV or Side by Side only. And One Way. The scenery is Stunning, but you shouldn’t have to take your life into your hands to experience it!! Safe Travels to all that use this Trail!
Great job on this video. Wow! I was thinking of driving this trail to see the old buildings. It would be a great trail if they would make it one way, like Black Bear.
I went over Schofield Pass in the summer of 1977 in a Toyota Cruiser. One of the scariest things I have ever done in my life. From CB to Marble, yikes. I thought this road was closed.
Did this coming from the south 25 years ago in a TJ. Glad to have the narrower track and no oncoming traffic in the section above the Punchbowl. Wife did get out and walk the scarier part. Can’t blame her as the passenger gets the view into the abyss when going downhill.
Was the dude texting and driving to end up off the road or what? I mean if it was wide enough to go past him something must have distracted him, or maybe just inexperience.
Id like to send you props for completing this trail all while "hating shelf roads." Im afraid of heights and theres no way i wouldve been able to get through that! Altho im a very good driver my mind wouldnt allow me to do it and i wouldve been even worse after seeing that fj on the side of that drop off! Hats off to all the guys that recovered that suv safely
When i was a teenager (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) i hiked Schofield pass. That was scary enough! I recall seeing a dodge 4x4 that had rolled off the road. The cab was flattened leverl with the hood and rear. That was enough.
@@normnhurley We had a friend do the same thing in Death Valley. He almost went off the side of a trail and it was like a 300 yard steep slope. Probably instant death. Come to find out he was fucking with his radio or phone while driving.
they got some good bbq at the left at 0:15. Forget the pork you mate cooked. You should have gotten some bbq there and warm it up in some foil over a fire ......
I went to collage in Gunnison in the late 67, I have done this oass 3 times but it was a much better road . I never saw another off road vehicle on the pass. I fished the crystal river.
I've driven Schofield several times in five-decades of 4-wheeling in the Rockies. I consider it one of the most dangerous 4WD trails in the country. Not only is the trail steep, with much of it on shelf, but the trail surface is loose slide rock. This is one trail where a locking rear differential is almost a necessity because any excessive wheel slip can not only cause the vehicle to slide, it can cause the rock under the wheels to slide, as well. It is also essential to have a low-range first gear that is sufficient to maintain very slow vehicle speed without using the brakes. Driving downhill on the slide rock is very similar to driving on ice--the brakes can almost immediately lock up on even a light brake application. Schofield is not a trail for inexperienced 4-wheelers--it is a trail more than willing to kill you if you let it.
Hi, at the beginning you say you are North of Glenwood Springs and South of Crested Butte. Don't you mean South of Glenwood Springs and North of Crested Butte? We live in CB and Schofield Pass is NW of us. I enjoyed your video by the way.
@@twotwentyswift What a moron! Do you have any common sense? Or do you just like to spew hate everywhere? Learn a little before you comment! You would look less like a fool!
100%. I'm glad the Colorado Buffs fan got him out of there, he acted like he was drunk or stoned. People who don't offroad don't realize how easily a truck can slide in an off camber situation, especially with all that loose gravel. So sketchy!
@twotwentyswift For people who don't four wheel, I understand that you aren't familiar with how vehicles are spotted! Also how vehicles slide sideways on off camber situations as shown in the video! Please use some common sense and learn a little! Don't make a fool of yourself!
Wow, That ride looks pretty technical. so if you had your choice would you ride the worlds scariest roller coaster to this? Thanks for the video. Fine Job!
Not to rag on you. If you are going to install recovery equipment on your vehicle - you should learn how to properly use it. There is no sense having it if it is just for looks. That FJ could have been saved in about a half hour's time with 2 vehicle winches easily and with just 1 winch a little longer time. Learn to use snatch blocks and soft shackle recovery spools. They would have made some good redirects to enable your vehicle with a straight side pull with 1 winch per axle.
Only wheel what u can afford to loose. I have pulled many vehicles out of there in the last 25 years. Walk threw it 1st. Not a hard trail just dumb people over there abilities. In stock rigs.
I am for that too. Did this trail in a driving rain with heavy fog. Chrystal river was overflowing deeply onto the road. Ok, in truth, the road was the river.... no problems like this.... pay attention to the road.
South of Crested Butte and north of Glenwood Springs? That's half right. Also, this pass doesn't come anywhere close to the danger and difficulty of Black Bear, but 9 deaths in one vehicle pushes up the death toll.
The road is an old mining road, which worked fine with older narrow MJ and CJ Jeeps. The newer, longer vehicles with wider wheel bases is pushing the limits, beyond the skills of most drivers. And people fall off.
We did it our 2005 Wrangler TJ we had for two months and it was bone stock. We did not see the bridge, it was covered in snow. The snow was the worst part.
I would have to agree with using 2 vehicles, one to winch from down the road and one as some sort of snatch block anchor point to the left rear of the FJ to drag the back end back up onto the road. Probably leave the e-brake set on the FJ as it would require minimal drag over gravel and without exceeding winch / system capacity?? It would’ve been interesting to see how they got the FJ out either way.
When I ran this trail in my wife's Honda CRV, I realized that good tires are really important and we should be considerate to hikers and other off roaders. Loved the views!
in a Honday CRV? That is impressive!
Back in the '60s my grandparents owned a cabin in Guffey. I remember going to see the Devil's Punch Bowl one summer, but the road didn't seem to be that horrific then. We were kids in my grandfather's Jeep. I just remember the "excitement" about looking for the devil at his punchbowl.
Great story, thanks for sharing!
I live in central Colorado and am a veteran offroader. I did Schofield Pass by myself in a full size Power Wagon... NEVER again in a full size. Could never for the life of me figure out why this trail isn't one way. It is easy to make judgments watching this video but being on site on that trail with the FJ hanging off the edge is something else. You have to be properly equipped and know what the hell you are doing to not risk being pulled over the edge with it trying to do a recovery. I have done dangerous hairy recoveries like that. With no trees very hard to anchor the vehicle to the opposite side of the trail or pull it up sideways back onto the trail.
I was a 28 year resident of Marble, CO. I have been over this route 15 -17 times. It is treacherous. Great job on this post! Cheers.
Cool, thanks!
Marble is an awesome place to be from! I went through there doing some kayaking in the 90s. Moving to Marble has always been in back of my mind. You probably don’t want more people anyways 😂
That 16th time will not be mentioned . Yes - it is a great video and now on my bucket list. When I was a student in New Zealand in the 70's a popular wall poster was of that Crsystal mill. It would be fun to visit it. I did Imogene, Black Bear etc a couple years ago - time to head back.
@@stephenwilliams681 unfortunately the mill is on private property and some momos vandalized it. it might get shut down permanently.
I lived there in the '80s. Used to ride dirt bikes to 'breasted cutie' for lunch.
I rescued a silver FJ in the exact same situation this summer up on Poughkeepsie Gulch trail in the San Juans. Used two vehicles one on each end and winched the vehicle up the hill sideways.
I'm AZ we have lot of shelf roads also I have pulled jeeps back up even from the front we usually connect 2 or 3 jeeps in a row so we have 3 times the weight no way for pulling jeeps to get pulled down even if the back end swings down hill. Jeeps we drive are beat up rock crawlers we don't care if they flip over just push them over again keep going. I used to have fancy jeep like these in the video realized no way to keep them looking nice wheeling the rocks.
Some guys have understanding, others not!
A lot of dumb ass people have no business on the road like this
On behalf of fj cruisers.... Thank you.
They could make that so much easier by just making it a one way road like Black Bear Pass.
Agreed. That trail is no joke. Did it in my JT on 37s. Totally a pucker fest. Was up there October 5. Ran from Buen Vista to Marble in a team of 2. Camped at Emerald Lake on friday night the 4th.
Great video …from the motorcyclist that went into the punchbowl! Great context to my story :)
Haha .. and just now saw the reference to my fall. I was wondering why my views took a spike over the last month. Cheers
Thanks, but your video is amazing. So glad you were able to walk/swim away from that one!
Did that trail last year...feel like I know where that particular part of the trail is. Strange how they got in that spot. The stretch next to the punch bowl is far more sketch.
Great video.
Happy Trails!
Thank you!
Great video, that trail should be one way. Passing on that portion of the trail is nuts.
It was!
I had a Renault 5 that was really good on roads like this. Being narrow has serious advantages. We got around a gate by picking up the rear end and swiveling it around. One important trick is to put your tires on the high spots so you don't get high centered or puncture the oil pan or gas tank.
Be super careful pulling out anything hanging over a cliff. You can both end up making an uncontrolled descent.
Thanks for sharing. I would love to see an R5 on the trail on day!
Gnarly! I’ve done this on a dirt bike. Wouldn’t think of doing it in my truck!
I recommend a diesel so controlled creeping is a feature not an afterthought!
Nice editing! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Beautiful country.
Thank you!
Remember as a kid in the 70s going over that with my uncle in an early 60s international scout. Yikes I don't think I'll ever forget that trip!! Excellent footage and love the drone coverage :-)
Thanks! Those International Scouts were nice.
Good decision knowing you did not have the skills or the equipment to recover the FJ.
Thanks. I just wouldn't have felt right if we had made things worse for the guy or ended up sending his vehicle all the way over. Had it been my own vehicle, I would have been willing to try...
Call MATT'S OFFROAD RECOVERY, well know on RUclips.
@@j.b.9581 He is great but I think it is pretty far out of his recovery area.
Sometimes just saying the right words is important.
Thanks for sharing good narration and alternate facts about the area.
Glad you enjoyed it
When our old 4x4 club did scholfield in September 2000, it WAS DESIGNATED one way only. The hikers threw rocks at our vehicles cause they thought they shouldn't have to share the trail.
CHEERS from Colorado
Wow!
They are great sport fans also.
I would’ve thrown lead back…
Throwing rocks in such a tense situation could reasonably be considered life-threatening, warranting a self-defense response. Those hikers might want to re-think their behavior in the future.
In my 30 years of hiking in Colorado, I've never heard of hikers doing that. You must have had some really bad luck running into some crazies. Whenever I hike on a road, I fully acknowledge and accept that there will be vehicles. If I don't want to see vehicles, I find trail for hiking only. Pretty simple.
A couple of points. First at the beginning you flipped CB and GS. Crested Butte is south and Glenwood Springs is north of Schofield Pass. Also, when ever you pull over for oncoming traffic, always pull over up hill, not down hill. Per colorado law, the vehicle traveling uphill has thr right of way. Not always practical, but it is the safer way to handle traffic on tight mountain trails. Lastly, as we update trail signage, we are including GMRS channel info, but since only one in one humdred trail users actually read those signs, it will take awhile for it to catch on
Thanks for the info!
Kinda unusual most forest roads the person going down has the right of way. @@advfamily
@@herbbutters4576disagree, uphill has r o w everywhere I've been, over my most recent 60 years.
@@herbbutters4576 I've only ever heard of the uphill traffic having the right of way. It's easy for the downhill traffic to stop, then resume travel, but not always the case for uphill drivers.
nope@@herbbutters4576
Nice job capturing Schofield Pass. My brother and his wife lived in Marble back in "94 for a few years. Whenever we visited, we hiked up to the pass a couple times but not over as it was always early in the year( early March )and we were hiking on many feet of snow. An all day affair. It was so beautiful, nobody else around. Enjoyed the vid!
Thank you
Thanks for the comprehensive video. I've had my Jeep up to Crystal, but didn't go any further. Will definitely not do this pass alone.
Thanks for watching!
OUTSTANDING VIDEO!!! You guys are nuts. I rode/pushed my mountain bike from Marble up to Crystal City... and I thought that was tough! I assume you've seen the video of the red Jeep going off the edge on Black Bear Pass, above Telluride.
Thanks! And I yes I saw the video of the red Jeep. So crazy!
Looks like it's time to either make this trail One-Way, like part of Black Bear Pass, or make it a dedicated dirt bike, mountain bike, and hiking trail. Great video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
there are a lot of places I went in the past with my 1990 Toyota 4x4 that I will never conceive of going again. It was small, light and maneuverable. My current truck is ... 8' wide and weighs 13 ton ... so I've greatly limited myself which probably keeps me out of trouble
great video. loved the story.
Thanks for watching!
" TRUE ADVENTURE BEGINS WHEN SAFETY IS A DISTANT MEMORY " .
-Thor Hyerdal 1959
Great quote!
I was there when they were trying to recover the guys motorcycle 5 years ago! We met the guy and the locals were trying to fish the motorcycle out. Amazingly, they guy wasn't hurt at all. Definitely a scary trail!
God was definitely watching out for him!
I personally don’t see the thrill of doing that but, more power to those who do.
Been on small portion of that road .. scary !!😮😅
Pucker factors and traffic... sounds like Ho Chi Mihn City on a good day.
I was an independent contractor in the mining industry. Forty-Four years of off-road adventures. Once, alone, thirty miles from the nearest ranch... on top of California's White Mountains. The road beneath my CJ7 slid away... when it stopped only a hard lean to the uphill side, left my Jeep hanging by an invisible thread. i got out, and tied a climbing rope the the rear bumper and a two thousand year old Bristlecone. Using my HiLift Jack, I was able to jack up the Jeep near level. Then, for six hours, I hand laid in a make shift road base under it to be able to back out of trouble. Pucker was tight boy! I have no idea why I didn't roll down that mountain to my certain death... So I know the feeling.
Wow!
Never explored the White Mnts. Always in a hurry to ski Mammoth Mtn!
What a crazy story!!
the white are really beautiful.
Yessiree…been there, done that. HCM CITY, what a place, 67/68.
Used to hang out in this area in the late 70s early 80s only been over the pass twice , once in a VW Baja bug the other in a 1966 FJ40 . My wife would dread the ride sometimes getting out and walk even then it’s scary in some places . I’m with you on shelf roads we drove on one trying to get to the town of South Fork 18 miles and kept saying we were glade we didn’t have to come back this way , bingo about a mile from where we were to come out the road sluffed off the mountain and we had to back up for miles before we could get turned around and get out . Life is an adventure go out and enjoy and try not to kill anyone. Thanks for the memories :-)
Cool, thanks for sharing!
Now with the overpopulation of Colorado and the popularity of side by sides this Trail should be one way!
I completed that route Aug 4th 2024, was my first pass trail. I had a blast and your video captures the route extremely well, nice job. I went on to complete Cinnamon, Black Bear and Imogene passes during my week out in CO. I’m hooked and will return yearly!!
Glad you enjoyed it! I think Black Bear and Imogene are my favorites.
My friend and I camped in Crystal, we had to ditch the Tundra, the trail was too tight, we opted for the mountain bikes with BOB trailers, We had a wonderful time, You guys are Crazy, glad to see that Safety comes first. Loved your Video.
I think Mountain bikes would be sketchy too! thanks for watching.
Some of the deaths you mentioned were caused by brake failures while going the opposite direction down the difficult section above the punch bowls. There’s a river crossing at the top of that section. Anyone descending should allow time for their brakes to dry out after crossing the river. This was a problem back in the days of drum brakes on vehicles.
Thanks for the info!
@@advfamily - The 1970 accident when 9 people died was caused by a defect in the transmission of a new GMC Jimmy. GM knew about the problem but told dealers to replace the defective pin only if people complained about it. GM settled out of court for a multi-million dollar payment to the families. I was up there in 2020 with a family member for the 50th anniversary of the accident. We walked it.
@@gailtonnesenwow, thanks for sharing. My heart breaks for the friends and family members of those who died.
Thanks for the post. Makes me want to move back to Gunnie.
Thank you for watching!
Gunny ain't gotten any warmer in the winter. That's guaranteed 😅
That's an awesome trip don't blame you for not hooking to that FJ although from the couch here I think I would have 😂
Thanks😂
0:48 double check that map lol
Beautiful scenery and video.
Thanks and nice job! I was wondering if anyone was going to catch the fact that I got my north and souths wrong!
Been over it numerous times in an 88 Jeep Cherokee and a 93 Toyota minitruck and mountain bike. The biggest issue is oncoming traffic these days. Once a rockslide trapped is at the bottom of the punch bowl immediately after we passed. Had to winch through 100 yards of snow on the CB side with the rig getting dragged on the sheet metal in early July. Good times!
Sounds like it! Thanks for sharing
@@advfamilynice driving. I’d say encountering another broken down vehicle or some circumstance other than the trail itself is typical on that run.
@@970RADOwow, thanks!
Beautiful video I did drive to the mill once, but I didn't like that it wasn't one way, so we didn't continue. Not to mention, we watched a rental company drive out a rolled JK! Thanks for sharing.
We did this trail on Mountainbikes, 21 years ago. We did not encounter any vehicles, i think they were not allowed on this trail back then? When we arrived in crested butte, i was really exhausted and tired. But the scenery made it well worth it.
I went down it in my Xterra with an RTT about 4 years ago, but turned around (a 45 point turn) before I got to the rock overhang by the Devil's Punchbowl. It would have put me too close to the edge, with too much off camber for my comfort (would have been okay without the tent), as I would have to get too close to the edge to avoid hitting the overhang with the tent. First time I ever turned around on any Colorado trail. Fortunately, it wasn't a busy day up there, so I didn't have vehicles stacked up behind me or in front of me.
Wow, hopefully you had a good spotter! that sounds just as scary!
My future wife and I drove her new 86 4Runner (narrow wheelbase) from Marble to Devils Punch bowl in 1988. We were lucky that we were the only riders on the trail that afternoon. We encountered two large boulders on the road. I had to inch our way around them, as I was driving and didn't want to scratch the paint. We had already decided to turn around, but couldn't find a place to turn back. We were hit by a severe thunderstorm just as we reached the bridge below the falls, and figured we could turn back there. We hiked up just above the pool, and decided it was too risky to continue up a road we had no information on, especially with the hard rain. We drove back to the area near Marble and pitched our tent. We drove the long way into Crested Butte, and asked the Chamber of Commerce staff for information on the Pass. "We don't recommend driving on the road, due to the primitive conditions." We were also told there was a discussion on making the road one-way or closing it due to the earlier fatalities. I'm content NOT going back.
sounds like an epic adventure!
@gtit7004
According to what I have learned, the multiple fatality accident occurred during a strong thunder storm!
I definitely think it ought to be made one way down hill! There are places where it is impossible to pass!
@@mahbriggsinteresting, thanks for sharing.
@@advfamily It was my understanding from the Chamber of Commerce staff that the multiple fatalities that occurred on one crash, happened after the west bound vehicle crossed the stream at some point above the falls, wetting their brakes, but didn't downshift to a low gear. Apparently the driver relied on only brakes instead of taking advantage of the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle's speed.
@@gtit7004interesting, thanks for sharing.
I rode the Devils Punch Bowl on my DR650 enduro dirt bike without knobby tires, and with less than 1 month of dirt biking experience. I was a student at Western State College in Gunnison at the time.
That is crazy! I had a KLR 650 and there is no way I would have taken it over the pass.
@@wsimmons4224 I took the DR650 up the Como Lake jeep trail to access Mt Blanca. That was actually rougher than the Devils Punch Bowl. I also rode Black Bear Pass by Telluride on the DR650 that too was more technical on a bike than Schofield.
That appeared to be coming from the Marble side of the Devil's Punch Bowl. Never been that way, always have started in CB, then Gothic, then eventually the Punch Bowl. Just a really awesome place to watch the lichen grow.
Great job on the video.
Thank you very much!
Did this last year in a 2nd gen Tundra. Narrow is an understatement! LOL Great video, I regret not getting more content while on the trail. The trail has some great views!
Right on!
In a tundra?? I don’t know if that makes you good or stupid!! 😂😂 just razzin ya, it’s impressive either way
@ryanm4013 I was beginning to wonder that myself not far into it! LOL
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing! I want to get my '21 4WD T4R off road soon, but I am not ready for this! lol
I love the 4Runners but this is definitely a trail you want to work up to!
I got the same exact vehicle and you have to know how your rig reacts and moves around off-road before you tackle anything close to this. The 4Runner is capable, but the driver usually isn’t
@@ryanm4013 That's a wise way to put it. 👍
@@ryanm4013 My vehicle is even more capable, but the driver(me) isn't. Thanks, but I "pass" on Schofield. ;-)
-- BR
I used to go up there in the late 70’s and 80’s in a full size Ford pickup, 8’ bed. At the time Schofield Pass was closed unless you wanted to carry your own planks. I would make it to the punch bowl but that was as far as I would go. I was photographing up there when a man came from the other side in a full size Blazer. He offered to loan me his planks, one was cracked. I declined because I was severely 1,000 lbs heavier. I’d also made it in from Crested Butte.
Epic! Thanks for sharing.
1 suddenly realized that I had been holding my breath watching you pass the blue car. I would NEVER consider going on that road!
I think that is a smart decision!
Beautiful, but nuts.
I will never understand the enjoyment to that type of trip
Adventure isn't on your couch.
@@ronaldjensen8927 how on Earth could you assume that I'm on my couch all the time because of my comment?
Watching on a drone camera is sufficient for me.
@@ronaldjensen8927 There is adventure and there is stupid....Stupid has a much higher cost factor..
It seems like this trail should be designated as ATV or Side by Side only. And One Way.
The scenery is Stunning, but you shouldn’t have to take your life into your hands to experience it!!
Safe Travels to all that use this Trail!
Deadliest pass is the Schofield pass. A trail named after my last name..I need to try it 😅
Maybe you are related to silver miner B. F. Schofield who it was named after!
Nice vid guys!
Thank you!
Great job on this video. Wow! I was thinking of driving this trail to see the old buildings. It would be a great trail if they would make it one way, like Black Bear.
Thanks!
Definitely on my bucket list
Enjoy but be careful!
Not into scaring myself that much and this from a guy who jumps out of perfectly good airplanes...
Just in case, put it at the bottom of the bucket list.
I hiked that with gf in the 90's, took a dip in the punchbowl.
Nice!
Cant imagine leaving my vehicle stuck like that for a week hoping ir doesnt slide off or someone bumps it 😂
Yeah you think someone would tip it just for fun.
@@slalomking lol I would hope not!
Put an air tag in it, and get notified when it rolls. 🤣🤣
I went over Schofield Pass in the summer of 1977 in a Toyota Cruiser. One of the scariest things I have ever done in my life. From CB to Marble, yikes. I thought this road was closed.
Did this coming from the south 25 years ago in a TJ. Glad to have the narrower track and no oncoming traffic in the section above the Punchbowl. Wife did get out and walk the scarier part. Can’t blame her as the passenger gets the view into the abyss when going downhill.
Nice!
Great video, my friend
Thank you very much
Was the dude texting and driving to end up off the road or what? I mean if it was wide enough to go past him something must have distracted him, or maybe just inexperience.
I drove from Crested Butte to Marble in my Tundra. And I rode my 01 BMW R1100 GS motorcycle from Marble to Crystal. I used to have a house in Marble.
Nice!
that opening scene is pretty far for the Schofield pass. Looks like Utah near Price ?
Nice pick up! That was on my route from Idaho to Colorado.
Id like to send you props for completing this trail all while "hating shelf roads." Im afraid of heights and theres no way i wouldve been able to get through that! Altho im a very good driver my mind wouldnt allow me to do it and i wouldve been even worse after seeing that fj on the side of that drop off! Hats off to all the guys that recovered that suv safely
Thanks!
When i was a teenager (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) i hiked Schofield pass. That was scary enough! I recall seeing a dodge 4x4 that had rolled off the road. The cab was flattened leverl with the hood and rear.
That was enough.
Wow, that would have done it for me too!
South of crested Butte, north of Glenwood Springs? I need to look at a map.
clearly I am the one who needed to look at a map! lol
How did those guys go off the road like that??
1 of 2 possibilites. 1. Alcohol or drugs, or 2. Not paying attention.
I work with the FJ driver. He said, “the road just gave way”! But none of us are buying that excuse🤪. Distraction and/or inexperience for sure.
@@normnhurley We had a friend do the same thing in Death Valley. He almost went off the side of a trail and it was like a 300 yard steep slope. Probably instant death. Come to find out he was fucking with his radio or phone while driving.
@@normnhurley - the road clearly did not give way. There's no indication of a slide except for the rocks he dragged with him.
they got some good bbq at the left at 0:15. Forget the pork you mate cooked. You should have gotten some bbq there and warm it up in some foil over a fire ......
It smelled great as we drove by. Next time!
Looks like a fun place to take my sxs.
*What we all came for starts @ **12:00*
I went to collage in Gunnison in the late 67, I have done this oass 3 times but it was a much better road . I never saw another off road vehicle on the pass. I fished the crystal river.
Nice!
A collage of photos, flowers, rocks...What type of colla.... Oh, COLLEGE. My bad.
I did this pass two years ago, that is enough for me
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
Lizard lake - I have camp[ed in that exact spot several times. If not there, I go up to Lead King Basin - Just past Paul's cabin.
I've driven Schofield several times in five-decades of 4-wheeling in the Rockies. I consider it one of the most dangerous 4WD trails in the country. Not only is the trail steep, with much of it on shelf, but the trail surface is loose slide rock. This is one trail where a locking rear differential is almost a necessity because any excessive wheel slip can not only cause the vehicle to slide, it can cause the rock under the wheels to slide, as well. It is also essential to have a low-range first gear that is sufficient to maintain very slow vehicle speed without using the brakes. Driving downhill on the slide rock is very similar to driving on ice--the brakes can almost immediately lock up on even a light brake application. Schofield is not a trail for inexperienced 4-wheelers--it is a trail more than willing to kill you if you let it.
Perfect description!
Was that Tin Cup at the beginning of the trail?
Hi, at the beginning you say you are North of Glenwood Springs and South of Crested Butte. Don't you mean South of Glenwood Springs and North of Crested Butte? We live in CB and Schofield Pass is NW of us. I enjoyed your video by the way.
Yes! Thank you!
You were South of Glenwood Springs.
The guy standing between the 2 vehicles has zero common sense. I'm guessing he was the guy who drove off the road.
He was safe! He was spotting the other guys! If the Toyota had rolled off, it wouldn't have hit him.
@@mahbriggs Yeah....right...😆 Do you work for MSNBC or CNN by chance. "Don't believe what you see, believe what we tell you" 🤣
@@twotwentyswift
What a moron! Do you have any common sense? Or do you just like to spew hate everywhere? Learn a little before you comment! You would look less like a fool!
100%. I'm glad the Colorado Buffs fan got him out of there, he acted like he was drunk or stoned. People who don't offroad don't realize how easily a truck can slide in an off camber situation, especially with all that loose gravel. So sketchy!
@twotwentyswift
For people who don't four wheel, I understand that you aren't familiar with how vehicles are spotted! Also how vehicles slide sideways on off camber situations as shown in the video!
Please use some common sense and learn a little! Don't make a fool of yourself!
North of Glenwood Springs but South of Crested Butte? 🤔
How did it even happen?
Wow, That ride looks pretty technical. so if you had your choice would you ride the worlds scariest
roller coaster to this? Thanks for the video. Fine Job!
Interesting question Ody! I think I would do this because at least I have a little sense of control…
Not to rag on you. If you are going to install recovery equipment on your vehicle - you should learn how to properly use it. There is no sense having it if it is just for looks. That FJ could have been saved in about a half hour's time with 2 vehicle winches easily and with just 1 winch a little longer time. Learn to use snatch blocks and soft shackle recovery spools. They would have made some good redirects to enable your vehicle with a straight side pull with 1 winch per axle.
It all looks good in the super market parking lot though.
Only wheel what u can afford to loose. I have pulled many vehicles out of there in the last 25 years. Walk threw it 1st. Not a hard trail just dumb people over there abilities. In stock rigs.
Exactly.
I'm surprised that FJ was alone. Not very smart to wheel a trail that difficult on your own......
Cosplay Fauxverlanders! Ditch Lights! As if you want to be riding in a ditch. RotoPax, as if there's not a gas station every 25 miles in USA!
I’d like to pan for gold up there! But not a chance I would drive or ride on that road!
Panning would be cool!
I’ve ridden that many times on a dirt bike. Al way came from the Cressted Butte side. Was the BBQ joint in Marbel open?
It was open and very busy!
On maneuvering around the FJ, why was that guy between both vehicles?
It seems that he was the driver of the FJ. Since he drove off the road, it's safe to assume he's an idiot.
South of Crested Butte, North of Glenwood Springs? I think you better flip your map over!
You are right! Thanks for catching that.
Damn, this trail should be designated as only one way, either going up or down. So dangerous 🤣
That would certainly make it easier!
I am for that too. Did this trail in a driving rain with heavy fog. Chrystal river was overflowing deeply onto the road. Ok, in truth, the road was the river.... no problems like this.... pay attention to the road.
That sounds crazy!
Yup!!! I've been on it and agree 10000%
You would think, but that makes too much sense.
The stress would take all the fun out of it! Seems like a week or two with chain saws, rock breakers, shovels to make a wide spot or two?
I think the stress added a little fun to it though not at the time! 😂
Is your truck an automatic? Tried this years ago in a Dodge Durango 5.9 and had to retreat.
Yes it is and that made it a lot easier!
I did this pass from the Crested Butte side in 1973 with my Jeep Commando. Tad bit hairy, 2 buddies riding along. Cheers
That is cool!
Dang, how did that FJ end up sliding off edge like that?
South of Crested Butte and north of Glenwood Springs? That's half right. Also, this pass doesn't come anywhere close to the danger and difficulty of Black Bear, but 9 deaths in one vehicle pushes up the death toll.
I agree with you.
Always thought Black Bear was worse.
What roads did you take to your camp site? Great video
The camp site is on unnamed spur off Crystal River near Lizard Lake. It barely fit 2 vehicles and no room for a ground tent.
I drive my Prius on roads like that
Nice!
Does anyone know how the FJ got in that situation? Seems like he might have been texting.
The road is an old mining road, which worked fine with older narrow MJ and CJ Jeeps. The newer, longer vehicles with wider wheel bases is pushing the limits, beyond the skills of most drivers. And people fall off.
Why dont they make it a 1 way road to make traffic flow better?
I've done Black Bear pass 4 times. But I'm not sure i wanna do this one.
Black Bear is very challenging too but at least it is designated one way.
We did it our 2005 Wrangler TJ we had for two months and it was bone stock. We did not see the bridge, it was covered in snow. The snow was the worst part.
I can't imagine having to deal with snow as well... crazy!
We were there in August of 2005. The creek was running under the snow.
Did that guy just decide to drive his FJ off the road? How do you even end up that situation?
I would have to agree with using 2 vehicles, one to winch from down the road and one as some sort of snatch block anchor point to the left rear of the FJ to drag the back end back up onto the road. Probably leave the e-brake set on the FJ as it would require minimal drag over gravel and without exceeding winch / system capacity?? It would’ve been interesting to see how they got the FJ out either way.