Tag Archives: Crystal River

Destination, Photography, Travel

MCCLURE PASS – Marble #Colorado

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McClure Pass

McClure Pass is located along the boundary between Pitkin and Gunnison counties, in a gap at the western side of the Elk Mountains south of Redstone. It separates the headwaters of the Crystal River with the headwaters of the North Fork Gunnison River. The pass is traversed by State Highway 133 between Carbondale and Paonia.  It provides the direct route between the Roaring Fork Valley and the North Fork Valley. The pass is not especially high and is generally open year round.  It does close during heavy snowstorms. The approaches are fairly steep on each side, with an 8% grade. The approach is smooth on the south side, as the road overlooks Muddy Creek above Paonia State Park. The approach on the north side has one large switchback overlooking the valley containing the town of Marble, Colorado. ~wikipedia

McClure Pass is just south of Glenwood Springs.  Reaching nearly 8800 feet in elevation, it is a small fry in Rocky Mountain terms.  It is one of the steepest paved roads in the state, requiring drivers to climb an 8 percent grade.  The pass offers magnificent views of Chair Mountain, Ragged Peak and Ragged Mountain.

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Destination, Photography, Travel

CRYSTAL RIVER – REDSTONE #Colorado

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Crystal River

The Crystal River is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River.  It is approximately 40 mi long, in western Colorado in the United States. It drains a glacial valley, called the Coal Basin, south of Carbondale, historically known as a center of coal mining in southwestern Colorado. The river rises in northern Gunnison County in the Elk Mountains, passing through the ghost town of Crystal City, still inhabited by a few summer residents. It then flows north past Marble, then into Pitkin County past Redstone. It joins the Roaring Fork below Carbondale. State Highway 133 follows the river along much of its route north of Marble.

From Crystal City to Marble the river flows through the Crystal River Canyon, a narrow valley with numerous snowslide runs, rockfalls, and other hazardous terrain.  It is locally known as a fishing and hiking attraction.  The unpaved and largely un-maintained mining road is nearly impassable to vehicles other than ATVs and off-road motorcycles.  A four-wheel-drive jeep tour is operated out of Marble.  It only operates during the summer when the road is not blocked by snow, mud, or rock slides. ~wikipedia

Colorado State Highway 133 is a beautiful stretch of road.  The Crystal River adds to the beauty exponentially.  My wife and I especially enjoy the route from Carondale, through Redstone and over McClure Pass.  Hwy 3 from 133 to Marble is quite lovely as well.  At some point; hopefully in the not too distant future we will be able to make the trip from Marble to Crystal and photograph Crystal Mill.  The road condition and off-road vehicle requirement makes this trip all the more interesting.

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Destination, Photography, Travel

HAYS CREEK FALLS – REDSTONE #Colorado

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Hays Creek Falls

Hays Creek Falls, also know as Hayes, is a waterfall along Hayes Creek that flow into the Crystal River. There is a short dirt path off of Highway 133 near Redstone, CO.  The sign for “Hays Creek Falls” faces South bound traffic heading toward Marble on the right.

There are unnamed falls above Hays Creek Falls.  We did not venture beyond.  I’ve read that the trail is a bit steep and treacherous.  I’ve also read about pot holes in the stream above the first falls.  In a photo I saw through Google, it appears that there are falls flowing out of each pothole.  We may have to check these out on a return trip.

Hays Creek Falls

Photos from Google

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Destination, Photography

COKE OVENS – REDSTONE #Colorado

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COKE OVENS

The Redstone Coke Oven Historic District is located at the intersection of State Highway 133 and Chair Mountain Stables Road outside Redstone, Colorado. It consists of the remaining coke ovens built at the end of the 19th century by the Colorado Fuel and Iron. In 1990 it was recognized as a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two hundred were built because the coal in the surrounding mountains was ideal for refining into coke.  At their peak they were producing almost 6 million tons a year. The development was the beginning of the modern settlement of Redstone.  The ovens are the only remnant of the sizable coking operation in the area.  It was the largest at the time in Colorado.

Within ten years of their construction the ovens fell into disuse when the mines closed. Their support steel was removed during the scrap metal drives of World War II, and later they were used as living space by hippies who moved into Redstone. The possibility that some might be demolished to build a gas station eventually led Pitkin County to acquire the land in the mid-2000s, and since then some have been restored. ~Wikipedia

Redstone is a lovely small art community on the banks of the Crystal River.  You can spend some time here browsing the shops in town.  Don’t miss out on an ice cream cone from Redstone General Store.  There are also several lodging options, outfitters and a cafe.  To my surprise, there was a walk bridge over the river made by Continental Bridge from Alexandria, MN.

Redstone Coke Ovens
Redstone Coke Ovens
Redstone Coke Ovens
Redstone Coke Ovens
Redstone Coke Ovens

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