There is often snow on the road well into July. The
lower section of the road receives heavy use, especially on the
weekends. This road is very rugged, and in some sections is located in
a stream. It climbs well above the timberline and continues for a mile
or so, through fields of rocks tinted with a lichen of various colors.
This road was built to serve the Montezuma Mine and debris from the
operation of the mine may be seen along the way.The first 1/2
mile is fairly level, then begins to climb. There are some steep uphill
sections and at the 1 1/2 mile mark there is a foot bridge. At the
bridge you will need to cross the stream. The road continues to climb
through spruce groves crossing a vehicle bridge and immediately
becoming steeper and more rugged. Three miles up the road, the Mace
cabin is passed...
The town of Crystal is an old mining town and is now
somewhat of a ghost town. The Dead horse Mill, or Crystal Mill, a
historical landmark, stands next to the Crystal River west of town as a
reminder of the mining economy that brought settlers to the region. The
mill stands on private property and is not open to the public.The
Crystal River Jeep Trail (FDR #314) parallels the Crystal River from
Beaver Lake to Crystal City. Although most of the road is not too
difficult, there are several narrow, rocky and steep sections where it
may be necessary for the downhill driver to back up when encountering
another vehicle. This is not a road for passenger automobiles or
inexperienced drivers.
Directions from
Carbondale: From Carbondale travel south on Colorado Highway 133 about
22 miles to the Marble turnoff. Go east on the Marble road, through
Marble, and past Beaver Lake. The four wheel-drive portion begins just
past the Gold Pan Gallery. The road begins to head uphill and passes
over shale rock. About one mile outside of Marble there is a fork in
the road; take the right fork (FDR #314). The road immediately heads
downhill.....
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