31 July 2015

Stardate 2015.581

Crystal River Mill, Elk Mountains, Colorado

The Crystal Mill

Snowcatcher and I took a little mountain bike ride out of Marble, Colorado, several days ago. Our route was a jaunt along the narrow 4x4 trail adjacent to the Crystal River. We turned around just beyond the historic 1881 ghost town of Crystal. A handful of buildings still exist and are occupied during the summer months. Enjoy the pics.


Crystal River jeep road

During the icy season, getting to Crystal would take some snow sense in terms of safely navigating avalanche terrain. Nonetheless, with copious amounts of snow, Marble is a magnet to backcountry skiers. If you like to earn your turns, check out Louis Dawson's book, Colorado Backcountry Skiing, Cruisers to Couloirs. The book encompasses the Glenwood Springs, Marble, Crested Butte and Aspen area backcountry skiing.


Whitehouse Mountain, 11,975 feet, Elk Mountains, Colorado

Marble is an intersection of the Elk Mountains to the east and the West Elk Mountains to the south. Two wilderness areas are within throwing distance. The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area lies to the East, and the Raggeds Wilderness Area to the south. Crested Butte may be reached from the north via Crystal Township and the deadly Devils Punchbowl 4x4 route up Schofield Pass, followed by a drop into the busy ghost town of Gothic, just north of Crested Butte.


Fireweed

Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium
Evening Primrose family


Crystal town sight

Rustic

Needs no introduction!

This jewel requires no introduction!


Crystal River Mill, Elk Mountains, Colorado

The Crystal Mill
Sorry about the bad lighting. This mill photographs best with low sun angle and yellow leaves.


Elk Mountains, Colorado

Notice the difference in tree heights along the stream and above the stream on each side. In addition to draining Bear Mountain and Little Bear Mountain during warm months, this is an avalanche chute during the winter. The snow slides keep the trees groomed.


Crystal River, Elk Mountains, Colorado

The Crystal River


Crystal River, Elk Mountains, Colorado

Crystal River Gorge


Lizard Lake, Elk Mountains, Colorado

Lizard Lake


Elk Mountains, Colorado

The view across Yule Creek


Sculpted marble quarried at Marble, Colorado.

Marble horses


Sculpted marble quarried at Marble, Colorado.

Marble bighorn sheep


Sculpted marble quarried at Marble, Colorado.

Marble bears

The quality of quarried marble is supposed to be of excellent quality and is shipped around the globe. The marble has been used in the Tomb of the Unknowns, Washington DC Lincoln Memorial, buildings in San Francisco and the Equitable Building in New York City. As a cost example, the above bighorn sheep carving is about four-feet tall and sporting a price-tag of $7500.00.

Thanks for visiting. Coming Soon – Searle Pass

Adios

1 comment:

  1. That was one tough bike ride, but the view was so worth it! I hope we get to go back in autumn, and I think a bit of night photography would be a kick, too! But not on the bikes...

    ReplyDelete

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