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.