Crystal Mill Reviews

So I have seen the picture of this place and I always wonder where it was and wanted to see it in person. I asked around and nobody seems to know. But my recent visit, I was finally able to find it. Ok so its not very easy to get to that's for sure. find the city of Marble Co. from there you can hike or rent a special ATV to see this place. It took us one hour of drive on ATV (driving very slow due to the road and terrain) to get there. Road is narrow and not much room for normal size vehicle, so even with Jeep you might want to reconsider. When you arrive, its all worth it (we enjoyed getting there too on ATV). You can pay attendant little bit more to take more pictures from the river, but you can not enter or get to the other side of the river.

It is not as easy as social media says it is to find the road to the Mill from the town of Marble. There are no obvious signs in town with directions or arrows to guide you. We stopped and asked one of the local residents for exact directions. A lot of folks rented ATV's and Side x Sides and they looked like they were having a lot of fun! A few brave souls attempted mountain bikes - I don't know if they made it or not. We observed that the only vehicles that successfully made it to the top were 4-wheel drive, HIGH CLEARANCE Toyota trucks and 4-Runners, and jeeps. We decided to brave it and hike. Whatever you do, drive PAST Beaver Lake west of town. Note the last chance you have for restrooms are the portable restrooms at Beaver Lake. You CANNOT park at the lake to hike, however. Drive past and around the lake. You will find parking at the bottom of the ascending Crystal Mill Road for maybe 8 cars. There is a vacant house on the left and also across the road. The actual journey starts up the road a bit further and to the LEFT of you that begins with a tough grade and lots of rock. (The first mile is one of the most challenging.) We were told to keep walking/driving until you come to a RED house on the right. Sure enough, there is a RED house. There is also additional parking there for 4-5 cars if you want to hike the rest of the way up. There is a sign where the road forks that reads: "Extra Spicy and Spicy". Select the "spicy" meal on the menu and fork to the RIGHT. Approximately 75 percent of the drive/hike both up and down is ascending. There are smoother more level areas as you go, but a lot of rock and holes in the road. It happened to rain and washed out part of the road two days before our hike which left lakes of water across the road which we either walked around or through. You will see lovely scenery along the road as it follows the Crystal River you miss driving. Stop and listen to the sound of the crystal clear water as it bubbles over the rocks. It's so refreshing! One fellow hiker said they even saw a bear. We saw a few wild flowers and butterflies. You will pass Lizard Lake early into your climb past the RED house. When you do reach the Crystal Mill it will be on the RIGHT side of the road. We thought for sure there would be a sign at the Mill that read "Crystal Mill" or "Congratulations! You Made It!" but no signs. The mill is just there, peeking at you from behind the trees. The only thing you see to indicate you arrived is a picnic table at the edge of the site. Words can't describe how stunning the view is! Take your time and imagine what it would have been like when the existing mill was a power plant with a horizontal moving water wheel that compressed air for miners that worked in the nearby silver mines. You can see the scraps that remain for a 3-stamp mill used for crushing ore adjacent to the mill. It was originally called the Sheep Mountain Power House built in 1893 by promoters of the Sheep Mountain Tunnel and Mining Company. We would rather have viewed the mill when the aspen turned in the fall, but it was a great experience even in the summer. I took several videos to capture the sounds of the Crystal River and cascading waterfall that posted nicely on Facebook and Instagram. It is a challenging hike up and down to say the least, but worth it if you want those photos of the most iconic historic structure in the state! If you HIKE, BE PREPARED! Sturdy, water-proof hiking shoes, hiking poles if you are unsteady descending on loose rock, waterproof sunblock. (Folks don't realize you fry in high altitudes in Colorado especially when it's cloudy. Reapply as needed.) It rains in the Colorado mountains June-October so pack a rain jacket in your pack unless you enjoy getting soaked. If you do, that's cool. Two bottles of water with electrolytes, high energy bars, fruit such as red grapes or apples are good snacks. Yes, the rumors that the Crystal River has been roped off are true. You can no longer walk down to the edge of the river for close-up photos, but you can still get wonderful photos. ( That would not have been necessary had entitled people who have no respect for our state or our historic treasures - not abused it by chipping off pieces of the mill for souvenirs and entering the historic mill. The owner was forced to destroy the trail to the river and barricade the entrance to protect the Mill according to an article in The Denver Post in July 2023). We started our journey at 8:30, ate lunch at the Mill and spent 45 minutes resting and taking photos. We took our time hiking down as going up we concentrated on the road before us and we wanted to enjoy the scenery we missed going up. We got back to our car around 4:30. If you haven't seen the Crystal Mill, add it to your bucket list!

Just visited Crystal Mill in Crystal, Co. today. My Sister and her family of 4 live "nearby", which means something totally different in rural Colorado vs the bulk the East Coast. The town of Marble is super tiny, cool little gateway towards Crystal and a very rough ride to the mill. This is the only reason for 4 stars, as this is, in my opinion, is one of the most gorgeous, scenic areas of Colorado. The road to Crystal reminds me of the drive to Carate in Costa Rica; super duper rugged and ill advised in anything less than a utility vehicle. Even still, it is very bumpy and not at all recommended for those prone to joint pain, unless it's like a bucket list item. Also be prepared for some seriously steep views and crazy narrow spots along the trail. Be sure to look for the old truck that drove off the cliff on the river side about 1mi before the mill. The mill itself and the spot are awesome, and do yourself a favor by driving the extra half mile up to the"town" of Crystal, which is just about 8 or 9 old log cabins. Looks like you could rent one or two of them, but it is REMOTE to say the least.

According to newspaper accounts (Denver Post) July 2023 due to people causing problems, access to this site has been closed. This is unfortunate as all reports indicate this is a wonderful place to experience. Suggest checking with local authorities before traveling to this destination.

You have a couple of choices if you want to see the Crystal Mill. You can walk (I think it's a bit over 5 miles one way from Beaver Lake), you can rent an ATV or UTV, you can take a jeep tour, or you can drive it IF you have a 4WD high clearance vehicle. We drove it in our trail rated Jeep Grand Cherokee and we also came back the next day in a rented UTV.

The first .7 miles is easy. But once you turn on to the 4WD part of the trail it becomes quite narrow in places, very rocky most of the way, and difficult to backup should you meet an oncoming vehicle in any one of the frequent narrow places. The trail seemed to be busier in the afternoon than in the morning.

I think the trail is rated blue up to the Crystal Mill. The Crystal Mill itself is simply gorgeous. This is classic Colorado scenery at its best. There is a reason so many postcards include this scene - it's a treat for the eyes. In the fall it would be even more beautiful. There is a creek that flows around the mill and you can get great photos in several different places. Because the mill is across the large stream you can get shots without people in them.

I would not attempt to go further to the Devil's Punchbowl part of the trail if you do not have an off road vehicle like an ATV or UTV. This part of the trail is rated red and several people have lost their lives when their vehicle careened off the edge. Even on the trail up to Crystal Mill people have lost control of their ATV's, so keep your eyes on the road. There is a facility about 1/4 mile from the start of the trail near Beaver Lake called ATV Rentals that will rent you a new or newer model ATV/UTV. I highly recommend renting from them if you don't own your own.

The difference in driving the trail in our Jeep Grand Cherokee and driving it in a UTV was night and day. I did not have much fun in our Cherokee for a couple of reasons. One, the vehicle is just larger, has a larger wheel base, and I kept worrying that we would go over the edge or cause damage to the undercarriage. This was true even though we have about 11" clearance when we put it in off-road mode. But we had a blast in the UTV.

If you use common sense, exercise caution, and have the right vehicle (or walk), this is a fantastic trail with an iconic old mill at the end of the trail. I highly recommend it!

this is an exelent 4x4 atv or hiking trail for the summer in the marble colorado area, the trail in very rocky. there is a little town / gift shop area just passed the mill.

My husband enjoys taking landscape pictures. This year I went with him to the San Juan area for four days and then traveled northeast to the McClure Pass/Marble/Crystal/carbondale Area. If you are a photographer.. these are the areas we hit before heading to Aspen.

This road was designated as steep but compared to what we drove on in the San Juan area, it wasn't bad. Make sure you are comfortable driving on narrow and rough roads. You definetly need a 4-wheeler to get to this location. It is approximately 5.5 miles after you pass the Lake in Marble, CO

Plan on having lunch at the Slow Groovin BBQ before or after your visit. You will pass right by it when you are heading up. It is open from 11am to 9pm. Try the Briskett Platter or Chili/Pork Mac N Cheese.... Amazing

You will pass Lizard Lake, which is pretty. The drive is gorgeous. Particularly during the last week of September/1st of October. The leaves are bright yellow. If someone is riding with you, have them look back often as the view up the mountains is gorgeous. Waterfalls are beautiful . The mill is worth the drive. I would put it as one of my favorite spots on this trip and I saw many.

We often camped just off of a country road, but there is a great camp site, which is clean and nice just on the road prior to Marble, CO. It was called Bogan Flats.

It takes about an hour to drive the 5.5 miles because the road is rough. We read that the best time to be there is between 2-4 because Marble is low in the mountains so the sun reaches it best during this time. I would highly agree.

If you want, continuing driving on through Redstone and then to Carbondale, which has a cute town.

A rough drive over a rocky road (not gravel) had the driver frazzled, but after getting there it was glorious. A perfect afternoon. We navigated through countless photographers all vying for the perfect angle -- but maybe they're all perfect! Four of us basked in it's faded beauty (the Japanese call this wabi-sabi) and thought up stories ... explored the creek (a few hazardous spots) and made sure we left before we'd be on that road in darkness.

A beautiful, magical place. Once there you can't stop taking pictures! Best if you have 4 wheel drive to get there..

I'm an avid hiker, but next time I'd drive. We went very early so we missed most of the traffic going and saw a moose! But coming back, we stepped aside for lots of vehicles. A little anti-climatic for the most photographed place in CO. For more details and pics visit etbtravelphotography blog

The Crystal Mill is worth the trip. It has been years since we have been there. We were in a Jeep and had no problem reaching the mill. I do not know how the road is now, so do check with the folks in Marble before venturing. This Mill and the Maroon Bells in Aspen are probably among the most famous photographed spots in Colorado.

The roads up the the mill are treacherous, and I wouldn't take anything but a jeep or dirt bike up there. You can hike or bike in, as well. As one of the most photographed places in Colorado, it's neat to see it up close. The country on the way in is astounding.

Back in 2009 we drove part of the road then parked and finished the 4 miles by foot. It was hard but the view of the mill was worth it.
This summer we took an ATV and it was a nice ride at 8.30 am so not a lot of tourists.
We had the mill for ourself and could enjoyed it peacefully.
Then this time we went to the town and I bought a book about the history of the place.
Going back to Marble it was quite crowded because jeeps and ATV or even people with cars were coming.
Don’t be afraid to go there early it’s the best way to enjoy the place.

The rocky drive to the mill is more than worth it. Such an amazing piece of history and a beautiful display of nature at its best. Highly recommend going in the Fall.

Advertised on trip advisor as one of the top 10 items of interest. We drove our own 4 runner to the mill. Sign says spicy drive, 4wd required. What it should have included was also for the not so faint of heart. It was fun and excited, but also terrifying. Glad we came at this time of year as to only have met the Forrest ranger. Rode extremely narrow in places with many small cliffs. Landslide had just occurred and road only recently cleared. Trip would have been great in an ATV as well and less scary. Crystal mill itself is a great picturesque opportunity that does not disappoint. I felt like I was in Moab on the trails minus the red rocks. Add the beautiful mountains, running stream, less humidity.

Crystal Mill is a perfect fall hike from Mid-Sept to Early Oct for maximum fall color. Getting there can be a little tricky, so do your research ahead of time. We actually drove the entire way to mill in a All-Wheel Drive Nissan Rogue...however, I wouldn't recommend it. We had to pick our route and go slow to avoid bottoming out. Wasn't as enjoyable. Take 4x4 or hike it. There are no trailhead signs or mileage markers. You'll be simply hiking down a jeep trail all the way to the mill and into the town of Crystal just beyond the mill. Not a tradition "trail" like you would see in National or State Park.

Getting There: You should have no problem getting the odd but interesting town of Marble from Glennwood Springs. You'll stay on the paved road (hwy3) through the town of Mable. You'll read about a group of mailboxes just outside of town on your lefthand side and parking area. Starting your hike here makes for a longer hike. If you get there early enough, skip this small lot and take the left turn, staying on highway 3, now going on an uphill incline that is no longer paved. You'll get to the top part where there is a sign telling you about the road to Crystal and you should only proceed with a 4x4. Park somewhere here and start your hike on a downhill run instead. An SUV can make it down to Lizard Lake where there is couple of parking areas. Beyond Lizard, I did see some half size trucks, Subarus, Pathfinder, etc...so again its do-able if you take your time, but honestly not worth the stress as there are few pull off areas on (for the most part) a one lane road. Reversing down a cliffside rocky road to let someone pass isn't fun.

The mill is a beautiful site, but don't forget to go up a little further into the small town of Crystal with just a few cabins and even a bookstore. Enjoy!

BEWARE: While Crystal Mill is beautiful, there are numerous people who regularly hang out there who purport to be owners or representatives of the owners but who do not carry or show any credentials and who warn visitors that they are trespassing and unwelcome unless they pay a $10 fee and sign a waiver of liability. I was personally accosted by 4-5 of these people who all claimed they owned the property -- including the road -- and who threatened me violently until my disabled son and I were forced to leave. We never left the parking area and never crossed the rope barrier that had been erected along the side of the road to keep people from going down to the river. I simply suggested to one of the persons who had just accosted another visitor that he should show some form of documentation when he confronts someone. I was then told to leave the property and, when I suggested that the sheriff be called to verify their authority, the group became very antagonistic and got in my face, making threatening gestures numerous times (without wearing face masks). In fact, two of the individuals followed us most of the way back to Marble. A beautiful day was spoiled and I was simply suggesting that they might have more cooperation if they displayed some form of identity. Beware as these are not friendly people and there is NO law enforcement within miles.

A longtime subject of postcards and calendar covers, the Crystal Mill may the consummate picture of Colorado's rustic past. Also known as the Sheep Mountain Powerhouse or Lost Horse Mill, the photogenic building was constructed in 1893 by promoters of the Sheep Mountain Mining Company. Its waterwheel on the Crystal River generated compressed air that miners used to power silver ore extraction machinery. In the late 19th century, the nearby town of Crystal had an average population of 500. But after the Sheep Mountain Mine closed in 1917 the mine fell into disrepair and fewer than 10 people remained. Today, part-time residents help maintain the mill, a jewel on the National Register of Historic Places as of 1985. They use Crystal's cabins as base camps for touring the spectacular outdoor recreational opportunities of the Elk Range. But mapping a trip to Crystal requires care. It is located in the Elk Mountains along a four-wheel-drive road, Gunnison County Road 3, six miles east of Marble and 20 miles northwest of Crested Butte. Crystal, also known as Crystal City, was established in 1880 after prospectors discovered promising deposits of silver near the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork of the Crystal River. At its height in the mid-1880s, Crystal had over 500 residents, a post office, a newspaper, a pool hall, a popular and exclusive men's club called the Crystal Club, a barber shop, saloons and hotels. Several mines near Crystal proved productive, the largest being the Black Queen, Lead King and Sheep Mountain Tunnel. However, the remoteness of Crystal hindered its success. The transport of ore to the depots in Crested Butte and Carbondale via Marble and the resupply of basic necessities and mail into Crystal were a challenge in the snow-free months and difficult to impossible during the winter. By 1889, Crystal was in decline. The silver panic of 1893 spelled the camp's doom. Most of the mines closed and the population dwindled. To survive, the owners of the Sheep Mountain Tunnel & Mining Company constructed the Crystal Mill to increase efficiency by using the slow of the Crystal River to power an air compressor, which was piped to the mines to run pneumatic drills. But even this innovation wasn't enough to save the mining operations. By 1915, the population was eight. By 1917, the mines were closed. So was Crystal Mill. And the town was largely vacated. Today, Crystal is vacated in the winter but there are a few summer residents. It is best known for for one of the most photographed historic sites in Colorado, the Crystal Mill. Visitors indulge in photography, hiking, peak bagging, mountain biking, fly fishing, hunting (deer and elk) and four-wheel-drive and off-highway vehicle touring.

Great , beautiful site to visit. Can hike or take a jeep tour( Crystal River Jeep). A not miss if you are in the area.

We hiked to Crystal Mill during the peak of the leaves turning. The walk is pretty easy and the last mile was ruined by TMR Inc last year. TMR Inc posted a sign to stay on the road and then they proceeded to spray paint "POSTED" or nail signs on every conceivable tree or rock along that last mile. I counted 46 instances where they ruined the natural beauty of the landscape with their spray paint. HEY TMR, DOZENS OF PEOPLE WERE IGNORING YOUR POSTINGS AND GOING DOWN TO THE RIVER BY THE MILL!! If I ever go again maybe I will find that TMR spray painted another 54 rocks and trees to make it an even 100. On second thought, I will never go again.

Not a difficult hike just a little longer, if you start early and go at a slow pace taking pictures or with a dog it takes about 4 hours. You can also rent a jeep or 4x4 but its fun to hike and feel like you earned getting to this magical place!

Crystal Mill is reportedly the most photographed, painted, sketched, place in Colorado. It has been presented at all times of the day and every season. The trip to the Mill is an adventure in and of itself. A car with good clearance and shocks will get you there without much worry. It is truly worth the trip to see a part of the inter mountain west's history.

My first time here was 10 years ago and I hadn't been back until recently. There were a few avalanche fields on the way there and some of the snow was barely melting, but my 4x4 definitely did the trick. This is such a beautiful, quiet location and a great place to visit.

One of our favorite 4wd roads during the peak of aspen fall color period.
An exciting trip in a full size pick up but eminently “doable”
Two beautiful lakes encounters, and a wonderful barbecue place at the end of the trail!

The views from the trail were beautiful, the trail really not great for a hike I recommend for a car trip however would never hike again let alone recommend it to be hiked on. Busy traffic bit dusty not to challenging and the view of the crystal mill was really cool but also sort of a let down for how long the hike was. Over all very commercialized and not a great hike but for sure if you have the car for it worth a drive.

The Crystal Mill is beautiful and the road itself is very scenic. However, you need a good vehicle - the road is very narrow and steep. Probably an ATV is a good idea. There are tours available.
I would recommend the Crystal Mill if you are interested in a scenic drive, easy but long hike, ATV tour, picnic with a beautiful view and great photo opportunities.

To get to the mill you have to take a 4x4 road for about 5 miles. The road is rough and you can expect to meet other vehicles coming and going. It is well worth the trip. We found a wilderness campsite to spend the night and get morning pictures. The best light for photographing the mill is around 4pm, but the morning time allows you to capture the sun coming up behind the trees. The scenery is awesome, and I was once there during the fall color change and it is spectacular as well. The spring and summer gives you a lot more water in the falls and beautiful shades of green.

I made my 4th trip to Crystal Mill in June of 2012. We took Devils Punch Bowl for the first time, the trail is usually blocked by snow but it was a dry year so we were excited to try it. Devils Punch Bowl is one of the most intimidating trails in that area. Don't go unless you are experienced in 4-wheeling. Even if you go the way through Marble it is pretty rough and 4-wheeling experience is recommended. The road on Devils Punch Bowl is just wide enough for 1 narrow vehicle at times. It was narrow in our Jeep, so a full size truck/suburban is not recommended (for the Marble way or Devils Punch Bowl). Once you get to the mill it is a great view. The mill is in good shape for its age, they just recently put a new roof on it before we visited. You can stand up top or walk down by the Crystal River and get pictures. This is a full day trip so pack a cooler with food and water. The closest towns are Marble and Redstone and they are a distance away.

We took the trouble to hike to the mill and were very glad that we did, as the people driving in don't see a lot of the picturesque scenery on the way. Unfortunately we kept having to step off the road for vehicles coming through, including some who were trying to see how fast they could drive on the 4WD track. We took our time and enjoyed a picnic lunch at Crystal, just past the mill. Don't be put off by the uphill slog at the start of the walk, once you get past the first couple of miles it's much easier going. We saw a few people with mountain bikes but a couple were turning back - much of the track isn't really suited to biking.

The mill, which is really an old miner's air compressor pump house is an iconic location surrounded by beautiful mountains. We rented an ATV for the very challenging and rocky drive, which included a couple of steep and narrow shelf roads. The autumn colors on the Aspen trees was beautiful and well worth the trek.

It is an extreme effort to get there but worth every bump in the road along the way. We rented a 4WD jeep in Aspen for the day and followed written directions we found on the Internet. We left the highway and paved roads shortly after we passed through Marble CO. Once we hit the dirt roads, Mother Nature showed her true beauty. The road is extremely rough and in some cases very narrow but the rapidly flowing river along with the glittering Aspens, towering pines, stacked boulders and a vast variety of mountain flora makes the journey truly breathtaking. We passed some hikers and met a few vehicles but, all in all, it is a very peaceful environment. And just when you think it can't get anymore beautiful, you come around a curve and see the mill. It is truly an amazing sight amid the already beautiful natural setting.

We’ve been there twice …first in a guided tour from marble with a very nice experienced driver …..the weather was perfect and the views were spectacular
It was so nice that while staying in crested butte we decided to rent a jeep and come back from the other direction through the treacherous “devils punch bowl” luckily we didn’t encounter any cars going in the opposite direction so it wasn’t too bad …..extreme beauty both times ….we’ve also been to the other “most photographed” scene “the Maroon Bells” equally beautiful but in a different way and MUCH easier to get to.
Colorado is full of extreme beauty but I think the Jeep trails out of Ouray may be the best of all of them. ….NUMEROUS old mining roads mostly quite drivable in a rental Jeep …..a “MUST DO”

A perfect setting in our beautiful mountains! Rough and rocky road but well worth it. Crystal City is just a short walk, not much there, a few cabins and old buildings.
Be sure to stop at Slow Groovin' BBQ in Marble, excellent food!

The road up to the mill isn't an easy one to get up. Hike or plan on going about 5 mph in a jeep to get up. Well worth the journey. Stop at the BBQ place down the street after. Great day trip!

We took our jeep and enjoyed every part of the trip. Our lab was enjoying it also and at the mill people were very friendly and taking pictures.

Approximately 11 miles round trip. I'm told that Jeep tours of the area are available as well, but we took the long hike and it was gorgeous! The "trail" is really an ATV/JEEP trail, but the drivers of those vehicles seem to also be accustomed to seeing hikers and everyone was polite and slowed down for passing. The trail is very hilly. Bring plenty of water.

I would have hated hiking this and would not recommend it being worth it if that is your only option. I had an AWD GMC Terrain SUV and it did just fine on the road but I’m from Montana and used to rough roads. The clearance wasn’t as high as a Jeep or truck but I’d say a Forester or something similar would be fine. Be cautious of other drivers, you’ll need to find places to pull off to let them pass.

It was a fun adventure getting there and very pretty when we went with the fall colors. You can see everything from the top but there is someone there with waivers and a $10/person charge if you want to go down to the creek.

Went up the road from Marble in my stock Toyota 4Runner. Road wasn't particularly bad - just large rocks and a couple of narrower shelf roads which aren't ideal if you meet someone going the other way but are mostly fine. Took about 50 minutes taking it fairly easy on the way up and slightly quicker on the way down.

Very much worth it though for the view of the Mill at the end, particularly in the Fall colours.

We choose to hike in basically because you would never be able to get a vehicle through the road. The snow was up to our knees in some spots plus the hike to the mill is one of the most beautiful hikes we have been on. We saw 8 people the entire hike which was 8 miles round trip. Started early! Definitely hike it!! Thinking of dirt biking it next time

We have taken this hike many times over the past 7 years, and the views are still just as amazing. It's a long and hard hike if you're walking, but it's so worth it.

It's picture perfect. Plan ahead. Your need a jeep with clearance and 4 wheel drive. Hiking or mountain biking could be options too. Some puddles along the way. The mill is somewhat maintained from time to time. The town of Crystal is a joke, just a few old small log homes.

The 4WD 4 mile road up to the mill is pretty rough for passenger cars (don't even consider doing this in a sedan) but a lot of fun for off road or tricked out vehicles. We drove up 2 miles (which I think are the worst section) and walked the last two miles, so we only had to walk 4 miles in total rather than 8 round trip. We have a relatively high clearance Jeep Grand Cherokee and have done a little off roading (not experts by any stretch) and we came through okay. The road is one lane in most parts with steep dropoffs, boulders, and giant potholes, but if you take it slow it is doable. You may have to back up in order to let a vehicle pass you. We were able to go about 2 - 4 miles per hour in the vehicle.

The mill itself is iconic and the scenery up to the mill is outstanding. Do beware of the gun toting guy at the top though. He is there to enforce the no trespassing signs and to sell his knowledge of the history of the mill. If you want to get the best picture you need to go down a slight hill. You have to sign a waiver and pay a fee to do this. (However, you can get great shots without going down the hill and you can read about the history of the mill online for free.) I heard this guy make a racial slur while a group around him chuckled and he wasn't wearing a mask as he confronted people. He was pretty obnoxious but just ignore him.

I'm very glad we split up the 4 miles between driving and hiking. There are wide spots along the road now and then where you can park your vehicle if you decide to do the same thing.

Great hike with big rewards. The hike is not over challenging, but it is long. Also, off road vehicles use the road so one must be mindful.

We have been visiting small towns in Colorado this summer. We live in Grand Junction so just taking a few days each week to explore. This weeks trip was to Redstone, Marble, Crystal City, so after reading the reviews instead of hiking into the Crystal Mill I booked a Jeep Tour. So glad I did, light rain when we started and a pretty muddy one way road in for hiking. Highly recommend Crystal River Jeep Tours, Jefferson was our guide and he was excellent! Thanks we will be back!

Wow! It's definitely scenic, but my husband, who has done a bit of off-roading was definitely nervous in some spots. It was very bumpy in our 4x4. If you have back issues at all, don't do this. We got to talking to someone who lives there, and they just opened the road a week or two ago, and he was saying that some of the avalanche zones (they had 4 this season) are treacherous driving because if you get onto the snow instead of the road you can topple into the river. There are some places you felt you could roll several hundred feet down into the river. It was tough also because we went late in the day, we passed a lot of oncoming vehicles, or we had to pull over. Now we can say we have done it, but I'd hike in next time or maybe take a narrow ATV instead of a big Chevy Tahoe.

Called the Crystal Mill but it was actually a power plant that used the nearby waterfall to generate compressed air to aid workers of the Sheep Mountain silver mine. There is a lot written about the rough road to the site. Most of it is true; you will need a 4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle if you wish to drive to the mill and beyond to the historic town of Marble. It is single lane in many places causing one to pull aside or back up depending on who has the right of way. (Uphill has the right of way.) Most if not all of the land on either side of the road is private property and should be respected as such. Photographing the mill was pure pleasure and I spent a lot of time here. Moving on to the town of Marble, visit the general store for books on the area, snacks, water and chat with a descendant of the property. If you decide to go further on and take the loop, a sign warns it is for experienced drivers only. My group turned around and went back the same way we came.

I drive a 2014 Jeep compass and the locals recommended that I drive to the top of the steep hill from Beaver Lake to the start of the road to Crystal. I followed their directions and parked at the top of the hill - glad I did! My car would not have made the road. This is a very narrow road where you will need a high clearance 4WD or an off road vehicle. We hiked the 4 miles in to the canyon to Crystal Mill and the town of Crystal. It was definitely worth the hike! It was about a 5 hour long hike round trip, and only 3-4 cars came up. Crystal Mill is just as beautiful in person as it is in pictures. The "ghost town" of Crystal is literally right around the corner, so definitely go the extra couple of steps!

Hard to get to as your need a four wheel drive high clearance vehicle to navigate the six miles from Marble to the Mill but the trip is well worth it. The Mill is more impressive in real life than just seeing pictures of it.

We took my Silverado up there and I regret it. It handled the road fine but the road is very narrow, single Lane. I had to choose between rock and bushes. It's going to take a bit of buffing, passing even ATVs can be tough, be prepared to back up in some hairy areas. The Mill was nice.

Well worth the visit! The Crystal Mill takes you back in time. Very well preserved and a must see if you're in the area. One of the most photographed places in all of Colorado. You can drive here, I happened to hike over from Crested Butte/Schofield.

We hiked in a couple weekends ago and met the folks running it. They were awesome!! It had been in their family for generations. It's a nice easy hike with a lot to see along the way. A couple of notes: There are a lot of jeep tours going through and not many hikers. Also, you need to pay $10 to go down to the bottom of the mill and swim or put your feet in. I've heard of some complaints because you have to pay now, but you are on private property and they don't have to let you come up at all. So, small price to pay if you ask me!! Would love to visit again in the fall!

Crystal Mill is definitely a hidden gem of Colorado. You MUST have a 4x4 vehicle to make the trek though, oir you can hire the Jeep Tours in Marble to take you up. We personally stayed at on of the 8 cabins up there and it was perfect! Quite and tranquil, beautiful spot to take photos, and hiking in the area (if you stay at one of the cains).

It's a hard place to get to, but that is part of the excitement. A unique, historic site that gives you a glimpse of what life in this remote area was like over 100 years ago.

Before we hiked to Crystal Mill I tried to read several reviews and they were very helpful.. When we hiked this a few weeks ago we had to start from Beaver Lake instead of Lizard Lake because we were on motorcycle..the hike from Beaver Lake in Marble to the Crystal Mill is 10.4 miles round trip...the first mile is almost all uphill..it does get a littlecwasier after that but still a little tough especially if you are not used to hiking..it is a 4 wheel drive road ...It took us 6 hours round trip and that was with a 30 minute lunch break and pictures at the mill...It is well worth the hike and I'm so glad we did but if we ever go again we will rent something to drive...

We hiked 10 miles, round trip to the Crystal Mill and then just a little further to Crystal City, an 1890's village with some original structures. People do live here about six months. Some people do take four wheelers, side by sides or 4x4. It is a real rough, rocky forest road. We did drive the first mile (steep hill) in our 4 wheel drive Ford F-250 but didn't want to take it all
the way. There are some parking space at the top of the hill after that first mile. Then we hiked. The mill is an amazing piece of history. The Crystal River follows the hike all the way and is very scenic.

Crystal Mill is in excellent condition. Have had a photo of the mill on the wall for many years and finally got to see it. Must make reservations with an off-road jeep company in advance - our driver was great.

This was a must see we rented a 4 x 4 from RPS rental though there were plenty of people willing to take their personal cars up this path I would not even consider trying to do that (we have an explorer) unless you have a jeep or a very high clearance off-road vehicle we saw some people with some really nice cars that we’re gonna be really unhappy by the time they got done

Fantastic views truly amazing and majestic place to go. Try when it is early morning or off season as obviously there were a ton of people there during leave peeping.

If you were hiking leave really early it is a moderate hike on the high side and make sure you have a lot of water we saw plenty of people that were very unhappy about halfway down and out of water

A must see but I recommend an ATV rental

Because it's on the cover of a ghost towns book, I had to visit myself. It really is an awesome piece of Colorado's vanishing mining history. The only thing I didn't like was having a guy in camo smoking a cigarette and watching my every move.

This is a must do/see for every explorer, photographer, historian and/or anyone who loves natural beauty! The famed and abandoned 'Crystal Mill', built in 1892, along the Crystal River. It served as a powerhouse from 1893 to 1917 generating compressed air for the miners in the local silver mines. Stunning to see and a beautiful 10 mile hike (round trip).

Best to do in the Summer and especially in the Fall (Sep/Oct) as the leaves are changing colors. I did it in November with a little bit of snow which made for an amazing backdrop. If you have a true 4-wheel drive car (high clearance needed due to rocks) you can drive the 5 miles right to the Mill. If not, it's a really easy hike, essentially pretty flat and pretty. The first mile is uphill and then the next 4 is basically flat.

Just head to the town of Marble, Colorado (which is tiny!) and the road dead ends into Beaver Lake which dead ends into the road/trail to Crystal Mill

Hike into the mill very early in the morning before the crazy, rude people on ATV's, Jeep's, etc. destroy the beauty and peace of the area with their loud noise, music, and dust! The walk along the Crystal River is so beautiful. Take the time to enjoy it's beauty. Enjoy the flowers, the birds and other wildlife. Above all enjoy the waterfall at the mill. Advise not going on into Crystal.

It is not worth the extreme effort it takes to get there and the mill doesn't look anything like the picture. We took 4 wheelers on this trail and there were several parts that should only be passed on foot. It is alot further than it sounded like from Crested Butte. It is also very busy roads, we were almost runover by jeeps 3 times. They drove way too fast for the road conditions. I would not recommend this trip unless you are an extreme adventurer. This took us 8 hours.

A great photo location but not easy to reach. It's about 6 miles outside the small town of Marble, CO on this rocky, rugged, non-maintained, cliff hugging, 4 wheel drive only, one way road. You could get a 4WD and drive yourself but your not just dealing with the road - you will also run into traffic especially on weekends - that means somebody's has to backup to one of the few random wide spots. You can walk the road but the elevation starts at 7,000 ft and climbs just about all of the 6 miles up to the Mill. Best option for me was the 'Crystal River Jeep Tours' run by the Smith Family - they are located right in Marble and will take you up to the Mill for a 2 hour photo shoot - awesome!!

The views are stunning all the way from Marble to Crystal, where the old mill sits on a rocky outcropping above the North Crystal River. It's accessible only by 4WD with high ground clearance, preferably a short wheelbase-- so a Jeep or a Land Cruiser type of vehicle is required. There are jeep tour companies and ATVs for rent in the area. It's well worth the effort to get to Crystal, and the loop drive takes you higher than Independence Pass, nearly 11,000 feet.

Beautiful 4.5 hour hike round trip. First 2 miles steep then easy ups and downs. We saw a bear on the way picking berries, what we wouldn't have a chance see if we would be driving there, that was worth a trip itself! Mill is beautiful, exactly like on pics. There is a great BBQ place in the town to start or finish a day

Alright, the mill itself, FANTASTIC! The surrounding area and scenic views travelling to the mill, FANTASTIC! However: I drove the five miles in a Dodge Dakota 4x4, it did great, no problems whatsoever...except it's a bit wide for the trail, I slide on a rock and almost went over the edge...and I mean edge...a cliff really...at the bottom I saw a rusted out truck on it's roof. A jeep wrangler or Cherokee would be better suited because they're not as wide. What I'd really recommend, a four wheeler, it appeared to be the funner way to go and definitely safest. As far as mountain biking, anyone who tells you it's great there, LIARS. Sharp rocks, steep inclines, no fun.

Best way, hiking or a Jeep wrangler...most line production 4wheel drive trucks will make it, but if you meet up with another motorist on the treacherous part, someone's going to have to back down to a safe spot and I'm not lying about the cliff...once I was done taking pictures I prayed I wouldn't meet anyone on the trail back, I did, but it was in places where it was easy to maneuver. Hike or 4wheeler, that's my recommendation, any other way just isn't worth it. I had a blast despite almost going over the edge. The trail picture, well, that's the easiest part of the trail you have to drive and that's in the beginning. Oh, there is someone there charging 10 bucks to go beyond the ropes. You can still take pictures without paying the ten bucks.

We arrived and really was not sure what to expect . We ended up missing out as we did not plan properly .

TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE ADVISE BELOW-

1. Do not attempt to drive up to the mill in anything but a 4 wheel Drive or ATV. The road is very rocky and will bottom out most vehicles.

2. ATV rentals are available but don't show up to rent after 4 . They close.

3. TOURS ARE ONLY AT 10 AND 2 PM if you can't drive up.

4. Don't miss out on the mill by avoiding these tips.

Best guess is to see it at dawn or sunset.
Be careful driving in the very small town!!

Obsessed with the beauty of this place. We drove the trail in our jeep wrangler and had no issues. Its definitely 4x4 required. Its very pretty scenery on the way up. I’m not a fan of hiking at all and I truly don’t know how people would hike all the way up to this lol! No way! I completely we went on the Sunday before Labor Day so I expect there to be so many people and there was hardly anyone there at all. We didn’t even pass a single person hiking up and we only passed a couple of vehicles. I love that its only $10 per person to get to the bottom, which is just a small quick trail down that takes 1 minute. We even swam in the water. It was SO COLD that it hurt, but it was a fun experience. It was also really hot outside so that made it easier. We had no idea that you could actually rent cabins up there, which gains you access to everything including the mines, so we plan on going back to do that. The girl who was working at the store was super friendly! The trail is a little over 4 miles and because it’s so rugged it does take some time to get up to it but it was worth it!

If you don't love the trip down to the mill and the history and the views, then why did you come to Colorado. Maybe you should stay in LA.

I would not recommend doing this trip alone. Rough road to hike on and not much foot traffic if do fall or get hurt. Worth it in the end for sure. Beautiful.

I try to make this trip often. The road is horrible and would recommend Jeeps or ATV's.You can walk it, of course. but is a LONG 3 miles or so one way. It looks exactly like the pictures. You can not cross the river to the mill but it is so amazing. We went today with spring runoff and the water was roaring!

WOW! I had researched the drive to Crystal Mill and it was as accurate as the reviews were. The road is more like a trail and has more bumps than a Black Diamond ski run. This has been on my list of "must-see" places to photograph and it was well worth the hour drive for those 5.5 miles. We were lucky enough to have a 4WD to make the trip and I HIGHLY recommend to any traveler, to do so as well. An ATV would suffice also. There are steep drop-offs, not for the faint of heart sitting on the passenger side, but with an experienced, careful driver, it is a beautiful drive.
We reached the Mill with about an hour of sunlight left left in the day and still got some great shots. Although the leaves from the surrounding trees had already fallen, there were still enough to get some great Fall color pictures.
The Drive, have extra everything, since this is a remote location and you will not have access to replacement anything, eg. Batteries, Spare tires, Fuel for ATV's. water, food, warm clothes in the Fall/Winter. As this Mill is in the middle of the mountains, good chance you won't have cell phone service so tell someone your plans about departure and arrival times, and if at all possible, don't travel this road alone, besides, it's more fun to take as many people as you can to enjoy this Beautiful Historic location!! Safe Travels!! Yes, I plan to return to visit again.

My wife and I had the pleasure of hiking to Crystal Mill in late June 2016. I had done a lot of research on the mill prior to our visit, including reading many of the reviews here on this site. As a landscape photographer, I was very excited to see the mill. Here is information on our trip: We began our journey from Marble. Traveling from Carbondale on Rt. 133, turn into Marble and follow Rt. 3 through the community, although there really is no town here. Go past the BBQ place and around Beaver Lake. The road then becomes a gravel road. Stop and park your car along side the road. Once you park and start your hike, you'll experience the hardest part of the trip. You'll go one mile straight up. And, I mean straight up--to the point you'll want to turn around. Keep going. After the first mile and a half, you'll find Lizard Lake (beautiful). The total hike is 6 miles from when you parked your car. I heard about 4 miles. It's 6 miles. Although the sign at the top of the hill says 4 miles to Crystal, it's really about a mile more. However, the scenery is spectacular. It's well worth the journey. The trail is very rough, lots of hills, and this is not for the new hiker. Wear hiking shoes. You can't do this in sneakers. I was expecting the mill to be a distance from the trail, but it's so close you can almost touch it. The mill is beautiful and it was so much fun being there. The trip back is a little easier, because a lot more of this is downhill. I have many wonderful photos from this journey. The ONLY complaint I have is that this is an all day trip. We arrived in Marble at 11:00 am and arrived back to our car at 6:00 pm. So, if you're limited on your vacation time, it's hard to give one whole day for this. But it was well worth it, a fun day, and I will never forget this wonderful journey.

First off I hiked the entire trail, however, next time I am renting an ATV back in town LOL. My GPS did very well until I got around Beaver Lake. Then it started messing up telling me to go ways where roads do not exist so beware of this (see my screenshot for help) I started around 8 am and the first mile is so is UPHILL, so, if you are not used to hiking you will be asking yourself why you are doing this LOL. At the top of the hill (if your vehicle can make it) there is a small parking area. The road/trail is very rocky and uneven (this is why you need a 4x4) so have on the appropriate gear (Do NOT wair flip-flops like I seen one person). Most of the hike to the mill is up-hill in one grad or another (hints: water flows downhill, and you are right by the river a-lot) After you arrive at the mills there was a guy (Garrett) there to give you the history of the mills. For those who want the past the 'no trespassing area to take photos or get down to the bank there is a 10.00 fee, and you have to sign a waiver because of the danger of injury (if memory services this is privet property). The hike back was mostly downhill. All this said, BRING PLENTY OF WATER and HAVE FUN!!!!

You have seen pictures of Crystal Mill, but don't realize you have seen the mill. This is an iconic landmark for Colorado. A picture is what got me to want to find Crystal Mill. In order to get there you need a 4X4 vehicle or take a jeep tour from Marbel. The ride is white knuckle drive, but the scenery made it worth the trip. The turn off sign for the most direct route is very small and easy to miss. If you do miss the turn, you end up going the long way. The long way has phenomenal views of Lead King Basin.
The mill is located a short distance from the actual town of Crystal. Crystal was once a booming town. During the summer is when the town picks up with people going through to see the famous mill. Also a famous writer and his wife stay in his families cabin during the summer. You can even get him to autograph his book for you. Also if you need to make a pit stop, there is an out house.
Personally I didn't like the drive, but it was worth it to see the mill with my own eyes. A trip I will not forget.

Mill is in Marble not Gunnison. You can hike to the mill on the Schofield pass road which is approx 6miles, I would not recommend driving to it unless you have a very good off-road vehicle and have a lot of experience off-roading, tons of big rocks, sharp one way passes and drop offs, and mud. I would definitely recommend Crystal River Jeep Tours for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to make the hike to it for a reasonable price especially for a group.

I recently took my mountain bike up the road from Marble, CO to Crystal Mill. It was so very tough. Unless you love riding severe rock gardens, do not attempt on bike. Once we arrived; however, the mill (really the power plant) and the "town" of Crystal are truly delightful. We met Debra, who has lived in Crystal every summer for over 50 years - so friendly and knowledgeable. Several people took ATVs up and they seemed to enjoy the bumpy ride. The view is so worth the trip, I just wish they serviced the road.

There's a reason this is one of the most photographed locations in Colorado. Well preserved structure with crystal clear water. Now getting there is a different story. When you turn on the road to go to Crystal there a several signs saying " know you route you will need a 4wd" and 4wd required etc...they're not joking. We're not talking an all wheel drive car either. Truck, Jeep, ATV, or UTV is basically the way to go. Large rocks, rocky, mud holes etc..in roadway.shortest distance is from the town of Marble. For the more adventurous try Paradise Divide up Slate creek road out of Crested Butte. This is the Devils Punchbowl route. Experienced riders only. We did this route and did the Lead King basin loop counter clockwise to Crystal (20-25mi) then back approximately (46mi) total. Awesome ride, unbelievable views.

We also approached this from marble as other posters have said and while only 6 miles, it was a very slow and terrifying drive in our Chevy Blazer. At one point we had to get out of our cars to assess how to pass a car coming in the opposite direction on a narrow section with a drop of over 100 feet on one side. It took us 20 minutes just to figure that out. If you are not a regular wheeler, then I recommend going with someone who has more experience driving that road.

I believe this was listed near Gunnison, because there is supposedly an even more treacherous 4WD road (likely only for Jeeps or ATV's) that connects over another pass to the southeast to Crested Butte somehow.

Glad I got to see it and get some pics because I won't be going back down that road again.

The drive is fun, required a 4x4 definitely and the end result is an absolutely amazing picture perfect view.

So why two stars? Because this place is a Tourist Trap like the title says, I visited in the off season and there were people everywhere, the roads were fenced in with 'No Trespassing' signs everywhere and there wasn't a single side trail for walking/hiking to be found. Once you get to the watermill, that's it. There really isn't anything else to do.

I was hoping for wilderness, but what I got was essentially a local park disguised as 'the rugged mountains'.

If you're into photographing old barns or mills, this stop is for you! Postcard perfect destination!

Can be an interesting, dangerous trip. But one of the most popular photo op places in the area. It was never a mill,but a generating plant for the area.

We went here after spending a day at Beaver Lake in Marble, CO. The road is narrow and filled with small to medium sized rocks. We took a crew cab Ford F-150 stock and had no problems except when we needed to pull out of the way...Why was this a problem? Well, all the good pull off spots had a car/suv that couldn't make the rest of the road pulled off so anyone driving had trouble getting by. Also, there were a ton of people hiking the road and with it being narrow you need to be extra careful. Plan to go slow for the 4 miles to get there. Even with the slow driving, it is worth the trip to see this piece of history.

We did the hike from Marble. I drove a subaru up to lizard lake and parked it there. If you are doing it as a hike I recommend starting early. We were on the trail by nine and hardly ran into any people, but on our way out we were eating lots of dust from all the atv's and razors. The hike was super easy, pretty flat road for 3 miles. I want to go back and visit in the fall. The one thing about a morning hike, the lighting was behind the mill, so that made for some interesting pictures.

If you have had the opportunity to see the image of Crystal Mill, seeing it in person does not disappoint. We went up there on a Saturday afternoon via Nissan Titan 4x4. The road is narrow, rocky, and requires 4wd and clearance; however, you do not need to be a seasoned 4wd driver to get up the road. Just enough knowledge to get you over the rocks and keep your eye on the road. There were a lot of hikers and ATV/UTVs making their way up the trail also, so there are definitely options on how to get to the mill. Once there, you'll have a wonderful, unobstructed view of the mil and Crystal Creek running beside it. Please note that this is private property and due to liability issues, the owner has had to place a cable across the edge of the road in hopes of discouraging people from climbing down to the creek below; however, it does not interfere with taking photos of the Mill. If you have a few extra minutes, just up the road is Crystal City which is composed of a few of the older miner houses that are occupied during the summer and early fall. There is a store that sells various food items during the summer and will accept donations for upkeep of the mill (donations and volunteers have managed to keep the Mill together for many to enjoy), but otherwise there are no public facilities. It is fun to walk through the town though and get a glimpse of how it was back in the day.

Do not drive your car here!! If you have a GOOD 4x4 only!! We saw quite a few morons driving their nice, fancy SUV’s….. not smart. We rented a hardy off road Kawasaki from a local business to get there. Of course you can walk/hike too - it is 11 miles RT. It took us 2+ hours in our souped up fancy Kawasaki going 5-10 mph. There are tours too if you don’t want to drive yourself.
That said - don’t be deterred in going here. It is so beautiful, both the drive up & the mill itself. It is totally worth it.

This is touted as the second most photographed spot in Colorado (behind the Maroon Bells) and it takes some doing to get to the Mill. It’s five miles out and back on an extremely rough and narrow road that requires a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle.

Actually made the trip 1.5 times. The first night we got a late start and turned back a little past Lizard lake. The road is very rocky. I would not attempt this with passenger rated tires but I saw a few stock SUVs doing this.
I just hope I would not have to meet someone coming the other way on the shelf-road sections. There are shelf sections from what I remember. You just have to note where your pull outs are and how far back. Remember the uphill vehicle has the Right Of Way. This will change many times as you make the 6 miles out to the mill. Once there the trip back was a cinch. The photography was great and we went past it to the townsite of Crystal. There we med a kid carrying a rifle and chatted a little. Turned out his family owned several hundred acersand several of the cabins in Crystal and he also gestured to the Mountain over there. "We own that Mountain" he proclaimed, "been in the family 5 generations"

All in all a great destination. Highly recommended. If your vehicle does not have sufficient clearance or good tires there are quad rentals and jeep tours available in Marble.

The mill itself is truly breathtaking. I love the place, but getting there is what's hard.

Whatever you do, DO NOT try to take anything that isn't a 4-wheeler or an ATV. There are many narrow, rocky spots and any other vehicle wouldn't be able to make the trip. Don't go unless you are an experienced driver or have someone experienced to drive. Very bumpy ride and steep at points. Bring a vehicle that can drive on rugged road. There was a jeep with a flat tire at the mill. Luckily they had a spare, but with jagged rocks in some spots I recommend you bring a spare too just in case. There are multiple spots to spot for a picnic, so take your time. Don't expect to drive up there and drive down quickly, especially if you haven't gone before. Other vehicles WILL be encountered on the road, so be careful and aware so that you can easily get by. Although the ride is rough, the reward is worth it and looks just like the picture. If you can take a bit of a rough ride, go for it!

Even though it might be the most photographed building in Colorado, it's not too crowded because getting here is not easy. There are two primary ways to do it
1. With a high clearance 4WD -preferably an ATV, but something like a Tacoma will do. Definitely not just any old compact SUV, let alone a sedan
2. Hoof it for a minimum of 8 miles round trip, if not 10. Depending on where you start.

The first was not feasible, and the second was unappealing due to time, so instead of the binary thinking of choosing the lesser of two evils, I went with a third option. Good lesson for these times in general -there is ALWAYS a third option if you think outside the box!

In this case the third option was renting a full suspension mountain bike, which someone with a photography blog said was a nice laid back cruise. I am here to say that it was definitely NOT a laid back cruise! And that's considering the fact that I shaved some time off the journey by stuffing it into the mid-sized SUV and at least going to the top of the hill past Beaver Lake. A sedan would not have even been able to do that much.

Even so, it was hardly a cruise. It was a one-hour slog that involved riding over big rocks and at one point carrying the bike through a narrow path in the shrubbery off to the side because the main road had a gigantic flooded area. I didn't even realize that it was almost entirely uphill because the progress was so slow navigating the obstacles. Going back down wasn't much faster, but it was easier.

All that said, it was the right choice. A car can't do these 4 miles in much less than 30 minutes. A bike might take an hour, so mot much worse. Walking makes a round trip an all-day affair.

No matter how you get there, it's well-worth the effort, particularly in the fall. The entire way is gorgeous, not just the mill. The mill, of course, is the highlight. Be sure to pay your $10 and go to the bottom. Beyond the old mill, there's the settlement of Crystal. You really can't call it a town. Good place for a picnic lunch there.

We drove our 4wheel drive Subaru Outback up Daniels hill, just past Beaver Lake and parked in an easy pull off. Daniels hill had some rough spots but we parked because we wanted to walk, get the exercise and experience the beauty on foot. It was just a little over four miles to the mill, which we found to look just like the pictures. The town of Crystal is no ghost town. Most all the buildings are occupied and it was fun to see this remote little town. We ate lunch on a log bench and then walked back to our car. The 4wheel drive road to the mill was similar in condition to Daniels Hill. Some spots challenging but most parts, while narrow (one car) were passable with 4wheel drive. Lots of aspen trees, bet this is popular when the leaves are turning.

Veiws were terrific! I drove my stock Jeep Wrangler and had only a few moments of uncertainty and had my passenger spot me as I went over some high rock just to be on the safe side. Not a drive for you if you have a fear of high drops. A lot of the drive is, narrow road with mountain on one side and cliff on the other. I would not recommend going in a 2 wheel drive or even a Subaru. The drive is stunning with waterfalls and an ice cold creek to dip into.

Leave about 4 and 1/2 hours to complete this hike on foot to the Mill, all uphill, adn the same to return, that means a whole day here of hiking. BUT all worth it when you arrive WOW!!!!!
ATV, pick up trucks and jeep traffic, so be alert. The road/trail does narrow in a few places though, with steep cliff edges. It’s not a hard hike but it’s long and sun exposed in a lot of areas. be prepared, water, snacks, good shoes. Lots of puddles but most were easy to maneuver around. Still enjoyable though. AVOID the busy season due to the jeeps ect... late August and early September are recommended.

We rode dirt bikes down from Crested Butte, but DONT DO THAT it is best to park and have lunch in Marble then walk up to this famous mill. It is a heck of a walk but this is the most photographed spot in Co. so take your time and enjoy.

It is important to understand that the road to Crystal was created by pioneers at least 200 years ago. The road was not designed for SUVs, and is a private road that is not maintained or funded by any government agency. It is NOT a park. People who travel there will see beautiful scenery, and all the land along the road is privately owned. Those who wander off the road are trespassing.

I have lived in Colorado for over 30 years, and it is disappointing to see that some conflict is occurring, and hopefully differences can be resolved with good communication.

Everything I expected, and More, weather even cooperated!!! My Photos are sellable, and memories to last a lifetime!

We took the 3-hour jeep guided tour up to Crystal Mill on a perfectly beautiful fall day with a clear blue sky and non-stop sunshine. What a wonderful change of pace from Pittsburgh! The driver was a little slow, but you can only go so fast up this cliff. Ended up walking about 1 or 2 miles after a car in front of us ended up with a flat on a road that literally can only hold one car. Fortunately, our jeep driver picked us up on his way down after trekking about 45 minutes, but was a nice walk down. MUST eat at the only BBQ in town -- Slow Groovin! Great eats!

The Crystal Mill is the most photographed historic site in Colorado, and for good reason. It was worth the trek, but I would only make the trip with an experienced 4x4 jeep driver or by ATV.

We Hiked to Crystal Mill by way of The Lead King Basin. It was a 15 mile hike that was Absolutely Stunning. We Always wanted to go out in the Fall and the Colors did not Disappoint. The first 5 Miles starting in Marble were over 3000 ft Elevation. But if you want a Fantastic Hike this is the one to do !!

Have to hike, or 4x4, its impressing, winter as summer, highly recommended in September, or spring. not hot and beautiful.

We decided to hike up to Crystal Mill from the park point in Marble just past Beaver Lake. It is a straight up incline for the first two miles. Once you reach the sign that tells you four miles to Crystal town, you will have a very rocky trail with more inclines. However, Lizard Lake, the waterfalls, river and scenery are very beautiful on your way up. This is not an easy hike if you are not accustomed to hiking and the altitude as we were not. You do have lots of vehicle traffic so you need to be alert for that. It is worth it, but just go knowing it will take about an 8 hour day to hike up and back down. Take water, snacks. and wear hiking gear and use bug spray. The Mill is worth the trip to see and glad we got to see it and the beautiful Colorado scenery.

This is an inaccurate listing as Gunnison is 130 miles from Crystal Mill and much closer to Marble, CO or Crystal City (a ghost town)... it is much closer to Carbondale, CO.

The Crystal Mill site is located in an historic, picturesque, remote, wooded area well worth the difficulty in getting there. It was a hydro-electric power plant that was used for mining from the 1890s until 1917 and is located between Marble Colorado and Crystal City (a ghost town). It's perched next to the river and is a very scenic, iconic look into history.

This trip can best be done by an ATV, Jeep, or other four-wheel-drive with high clearance. It may also be reached by mountain bike, on foot, or guided jeep tour. While only 6 miles from marble, the road is a difficult, remote, steep, one lane, rocky road with several sheer drop offs down to the river. There is very little traffic, but the vehicle going downhill has the right away, so you may have to back-up to let someone pass.

We drove in a Silverado 4 x 4 with high clearance and we averaged 5 mph, so it took over 3 hrs to get to and from the Mill site from Marble. Allow plenty of time and fill your gas tanks in Carbondale or before you get to Marble. It is very remote and rugged with no cell coverage. Do not attempt this in wet, rainy weather or winter. If you break down, your only option may be to walk out.

From HWY 133 go through marble on the paved road until it ends and continue past Beaver Lake on the dirt road for two miles to the junction and then stay to the right. At Lizard Lake,continue straight for 4 miles until you come to the mill. After taking photographs of the mill, the ghost town of Crystal city is also about 1/2 mile farther on the road if you care to visit it.

It is quite hard to find the road to Crystal Mill. We bumped into another car who was trying to figure out how to get there also. I think it'd be easier if you google to Beaver Lake fist and go from there. We have a 4WD Jeep, but I've never driven off road before, we asked a local - a guy in his 40's - said even he was scared driving up there the first time. So us 3 girls didn't want to risk it. So we wanted to do the jeep tour instead, but it's already off season and they're closed (we went on 11 Oct). So make sure you check with the tour operators before or be ready to hike 4 miles.

This is a classic Colorado structure. There are plenty of good camera angles to shoot and they have done a good job preserving it. We accessed it from Marble CO, eliminating challenging Schofield Pass, but is is plenty rocky. Expect body damage with a low clearance vehicle. It is a slow trip, even from Marble, but worth every mile!

This hardscrabble mining relic is worth seeing, but it is hardly close to Gunnison. It would be much more accurate to state the closest large town is Carbondale or Glenwood Springs. Yes, the road really does require a high-clearance 4wd with rugged tires, and some off-road experience. Attempting it with highway cruising rubber is asking for trouble. Nice bonus is lots of wildlife in the area. I saw a bear, porcupine and mucho deer. Camping past the mill is possible. Photos are restricted to the road, but for $10 and a waiver you can leave the road and explore other perspectives. The base village of Marble is cute and has a famous BBQ restaurant.

For a couple in their upper 60s, we never would have thought of making this trail. However, we did it and would recommend it. We parked in a small parking lot next to Beaver Lake just outside of Marble, Colorado. It took us three hours to do the little over 5 miles up to the Crystal Mill on a road that was not a hiking trail but a 4WD or ATV narrow road. As many of the reviewers note, this is a road for those type of vehicles but can be done by people walking on the road. It is a steep climb the 1st mile to the Y where you take a right to go down on the shortest path to the Crystal Mill. After that it is walking on some rocky paths, occasional water pools if it has rained the day before, many ups and downs, and meeting mostly four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs, UTVs, off-road motorcyclists, and an locational off road cyclist. The way back took us 2 3/4 hours and the steep 1-mile incline what's now a steep decline to traverse. Sore as we were at the end, it was well worth the hike, the views of the changing Aspen in the Rocky Mountains, and the surprise arrival at the Crystal Mill.

For hikers, few and far between as these were, I would recommend good hiking shoes with strong soles, 30 to 40 ounces of water, a good camera, plenty of snacks to munch on for energy, and a good attitude. It is easy to see why this is the most photographed seen in Colorado. If you hike it, you will love it and be proud of it, as we were!

First I have to say, When they say 4 wheel drive they mean 4 wheeler's or dirt bikes, The road getting in is very tight for full sized 4x4's, I found out the hard way. I would recommend hiking in, Right now the road is closed about 2 miles in due to a Avalanche. You can drive to that and then walk a mile or so into the mill. Once you ger there it is Beautiful to see, Bring your Camera for sure to this site, The Crystal River flows right under neither the mill.

We rode our Quad ATVs.. At the V if you go left we found the trail starting to wash out and as we drove further there was still 6 feet of snow on the trail. If you go Right to Crystal Mill it is a nice ride. Some bumps are not bad. We took lots of pictures and did not spend the $10 to get in the water. TOOOO COLD. Went on up to Crystal Mill Met Anna at the Store she is a GEM. We tried to go on up to Devils' punch bowl but had to turn around. There were too big of Rocks for our Quads. I am not a dare devil rider LOL

This was an absolutely beautiful area. We took the jeep tour to the mill (and if you've done any research at all, you won't drive your own car up there!) and enjoyed the gorgeous vistas all the way up to the mill. We passed ATVs, UTVs, cyclists and hikers on a very warm late September day...not that easy to pass a vehicle on a one lane rocky road but it's so worth the trip. The aspens were stunning! The old mill is just a treasure and considering it's on private land, I'm grateful the owners have allowed the public access. The tiny 'town' of Crystal was just as interesting, with its log cabins from the late 1800s. One of the owners offers books for sale about the area. Great photo ops everywhere you turn!