Devil's Punchbowl

Total Miles
10.6

Elevation

3,268.34 ft

Duration

2 Hours

Technical Rating

5

Difficult

Best Time

Spring, Fall

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Devil's Punchbowl 6

Trail Overview

This route takes you over Schofield Pass. You're sure to run into some tourists around Crystal Mill, which is a very popular tourist destination. The run through Crystal Canyon will take you to Devil's Punchbowl, a swimming pool of water underneath a majestic waterfall.

Photos of Devil's Punchbowl

Devil's Punchbowl
Devil's Punchbowl

Difficulty

Difficult. First portion of trail to the Crystal Mill is rocky. East of Crystal, the road becomes extremely narrow as it climbs steeply along the daunting vertical walls of Crystal Canyon. Dangerous backing required to pass. Rock slides and lingering snow can close the trail at any time. Novice drivers should avoid section between Wpts. 03 and 04. Although not recommended for stock SUVs, experienced drivers can reach the town of Crystal but should not continue. Low-range, skid plates are a must.

History

Crystal, a silver mining camp in the 1880s, served many mines in the area and once had a population of more than 400. Silver was mined from crystalline quartz, after which the town was named. Several historic buildings still remain. Several fatal accidents have occurred on this trail, including the worst in Colorado history. In July 1970, nine tourists died when their vehicle plummeted off the ledge above the Devil's Punchbowl.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Doug Simpson
Jul 24, 2024
2020 Nissan Frontier
Obstructed
Just to let anyone who is planning to do Schofield Pass, if your doing it in anything larger then a S x S the road just above the Devils waterfall /bridge is inpassable/narrow with rock obstacle. At the rock obstacle there is two 90 degree turn with a vertical cliff on the inside and a near vertical drop into the river on the outside. At that bend in the corner, the slope has eroded away to were your rear tire will drop off the trail. Talked to a group with a small S x S and a motorcycle said they negotiated the obstacle going down and up and they barely made it. A larger vehicle probably cannot make the turns. Also about a 1/2 mile down from the bridge there is a spot where the trail is covered over from a small slide that is tricky but is doable.
Will W
Jul 14, 2024
2017 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Normal
Muddy/Wet
Water crossing high but not impassable, stock 5th gen 4Runners made the crossing.
Ryan Switzer
Jul 13, 2024
2018 Lexus GX
Obstructed
Impassable Water Crossing
Water crossing at Crystal River Waterfall is still deep (>2').
Jan K Laird
Jul 02, 2024
4x4
Obstructed

Access Description

From Glenwood Springs: Take Highways 82 and 133 south past Redstone. Follow signs east to Marble on F.S. 314 before McClure Pass. Zigzag through Marble on 314 until you reach the parking area (not staging) next to Beaver Lake. From Crested Butte: Follow directions for Paradise Divide, Trail #28, and turn left on F.S. 317 at Schofield Pass.

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