Sun, Sept 20, 2009: Old Crystal Mill

The Old Crystal Mill in Crystal, CO is reportedly the most photographed site in the state. I've seen pictures of the mill standing high on a cliff above a turquoise green pool, surrounded by vibrant yellow aspens, and it never fails to fascinate me. Visiting the old mill has been a goal of mine since moving out here, but was another hike that I didn't want to attempt alone. I was able to recruit a friend to go with me this weekend, and couldn't wait to see the mill and its supporting cast of aspens. Mill, HO!

The hike begins in the tiny town of Marble, from which the marble composing the Lincoln Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was mined. Marble is seated in a little valley nestled between two mountain ranges. The colors of the aspens sweeping up the mountain slopes, reaching towards the blue gray peaks, were beautiful and vibrant against the cloudy sky.
We passed a big group of people near the beginning of the 4x4 road, and realized we landed ourselves in the middle of a huge race. Our intention was to ride our bikes to the mill, but my desire to do so faded somewhere in the middle of the 1.5 mile uphill that we faced just outside of town. I felt pretty ridiculous huffing and puffing as I pushed my bike up the hill, coming face-to-face with the runners of the race as they pounded down towards the finish line. All I could think of is that earlier, those same people had run up the hill that I was having difficulty walking up. Seeing the look on my face, my friend eventually asked if I'd be game for hiding our bikes in the woods, an offer which I gratefully accepted.

Free of our two wheeled burdens (no offense, Trevor!), our hike became much more carefree and fun. We dodged runners, 4 wheelers, dirt bikes, mountain bikers, 4wd vehicles... pretty much everything except other hikers. The clouds released their monopoly on atmospheric water, and as it rained down on us several runners joked with us about what a great day for a hike we had picked. Honestly, I thought it was a great day. It was so peaceful walking along with the sky misting on my face, admiring the fall colors against the strange green of the Crystal River.

This is Lizard Lake:
The aspens seem to turn in clusters, with some still green while others are already completely bare.
Throughout the hike, there seemed to be mountains all around us that were invisible due to the opaque barrier of clouds enveloping us.

The Crystal River was so green - it was bizarre! I don't think I've ever seen water this color in my life.
We were gifted with sunny skies for about 30 minutes, and I loved seeing how much brighter the fall colors looked when touched by sunlight.
... Then the rain returned, and with it the stately subdued lines of aspens.
Wet and ready for a break, we finally arrived at the mill. The water was just as green as I'd imagined it, and the aspens just as yellow (well, some of them. :) ).
After I was satisfied that I must have captured at least one decent photograph, our talk turned to the ghost town of Crystal, which I had read was only 0.2 miles past the mill. I wanted to explore the town, but we were both wet and hungry and wondering what our next course of action should be. Suddenly, there was a massive flash of lightning followed shortly afterward by a booming thunderclap, causing me to jump out of my skin and attempt to climb my friend - though I'm not at all sure why I felt this would save me from am impending death by lightning. We moved under a pine tree to avoid the rain while we talked, and it was there that a man stopped and asked us if we wanted a ride back to the car. I didn't want to leave the ghost town unexplored since we were so close to it, but also didn't feel like walking 5 1/2 miles back in the rain. We accepted his offer.

The man happened to be one of only 3 land owners in the town of Crystal, and chatted with us the entire ride back while his cute little Jack Russell gazed adoringly at him from the passenger's seat. While I dripped and thawed in the back seat, he told us about the 7 mile loop that goes around the base of Sheep Mountain, the road that borders the White River National Forest land (from which wildflowers can be seen in the summer), and Treasure Mountain (the 13,528 peak hidden behind clouds that was just on the other side of the Crystal River).

While I didn't set out on this hike hoping for an encounter with a knowledgeable resident (we all remember what happened last time I did that...), I must admit I was excited that it happened. I love hearing people talk about this state, because so many of them love it so passionately that it lights up my fire all over again. I want to hike from Aspen to Marble. I want to drive on that road and see those wildflowers. I want to know what the Crystal River looks like from the top of Treasure Mountain. A person could live in Colorado their entire life and never see all that there is to see - even if it's a life full of travel and exploration. When I think of all that I still want to see in this state, I find myself easily overwhelmed by how much I have yet to do. I find myself in love with every new piece that I explore and every new adventure that shapes me.