Crystal Mill

About

The Crystal Mill is a historic 1892 wooden powerhouse located on an outcrop above the Crystal River, approximately six miles east of Marble, Colorado. It is accessible via a roughly 9-mile round-trip hike on County Road 314, which runs along the river for most of the trek. The trail is rated moderate, with a starting elevation of 8,150 feet and an elevation gain of approximately 850 feet. The hike typically takes 2 to 5 hours to complete. The site is best visited from September through November, as the access road becomes rough and potentially impassable due to snow during winter months. Parking is available at the trailhead. Dogs are permitted on a leash. A $10 per person fee is charged to cross the rope line and view the mill from the water; viewing from the roped-off section on the road is free. The mill is a private property, and visitors are asked to respect landowners along the route.