---
template: byway.jade
id: "2120"
name: West Elk Loop
distance: "205"
duration: 6 to 8 hours.
description: "This route travels through the Crystal River Valley, whose well-watered reaches made it a favorite among both Native American and pioneer settlers. Scenic features include views of mountain ranges, fields of alpine wildflowers, farmlands & cattle ranches."
contact: "**Sopris Ranger District**  \r\n 970-963-2266  \r\n [Send E-mail](mailto:ccarlisle@fs.fed.us )  \r\n\r\n"
path: 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@uAQoADgGl@mC@iWwDqFiAwBmAo@m@iGgIcC{BaFeC_B]cB?oAXs@\\eIfHy@ZeC\\iAQo@SmAy@u@y@wHiMqFoJ{@oAeBgAeA[gG_@o@OiCo@aIgCy@OiBMwGJqFCyBU}C_AaAg@eD}BsCsAmBq@k@GyCFgEd@gDK{AU{CyAeCs@wDkB_Cm@{CK{BJaGfAy@J}AEwh@{JoCYoBPyBn@kJ|D{FbBoCh@gGd@wC?m`BeFcEk@eDu@gd@gNwi@aPgGsAyCe@aHe@w{@cA}VQoGRcF^uGjAaFtAgEfB}\\`RcQ~KuNbIsBdByBlE}@bEaA|Ia@rAaA`CgChDcD|CeD`C{GrD"
websites: 
  - url: "http://www.fs.usda.gov/gmug/"
    name: "Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests"
  - url: "http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/page.php?pname=areatour/westelk"
    name: "Gunnison, Colorado"
  - url: "http://www.skiaspencolorado.net"
    name: "Ski Aspen, CO"
  - url: "http://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-west-elk-loop"
    name: West Elk Loop
  - url: "http://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver/"
    name: White River National Forest
designations: 
  - National Forest Scenic Byway
  - Colorado State Scenic Byway
states: 
  - CO
ll: 
  - -107.36280799999997
  - 38.94129200000009
bounds: 
  - - -107.71457700000002
    - 38.45052000000004
  - - -106.84542099999993
    - 39.401112000000126

---

The twin summits of Mount Sopris and the incomparable Black Canyon of the Gunnison anchor the ends of the West Elk Loop. This magnificent landscape has been home to uncounted generations of Native Americans, most recently the Utes.  White settlers originally came in search of minerals and stayed to farm and ranch. The coke ovens at Redstone bear witness to the toil that built the communities of today.  Carbondale, Hotchkiss, Crawford, Gunnison, Crested Butte, and other towns offer a slice of Colorado's rich history, varied lifestyles, and natural beauty. The route gives access to the White River and Gunnison National Forests, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument, Curecanti National Recreational Area, and Crawford and Paonia State Parks.

