jim1954 Loc: Minnesota

I am considering adding a couple days to a road trip to try to photograph Crystal Mill in CO. It involves a 8-10 mile (moderately difficult) hike and I would try to do it on a Monday (Oct 22) to avoid crowds and traffic on the trail. Just wondering if anyone has done this and what your thoughts, suggestions and recommendations would be.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Wear layers.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I believe that you can access it via car, from the opposite side of the river. It has been a long time since I was there.

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

I didn't hike to the mill but took the hired Jeep ride in the village of Marble and glad I did. I had rented a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Denver thinking I would drive the trail myself but decided against that after talking to others who had been there. The Jeep I rented may not have had quite enough ground clearance to do that trip so I didn't want to risk "buying" the rental vehicle. Definitely don't attempt that trail in a car or you may have some serious damage and become stranded...some have and had to get towed out of there which is a major undertaking and I'm sure expense.

I doubt you will need to worry about "traffic" on that trail. We went end of September 2016 and ran into only 3 other vehicles and a guy on horseback leading two other horses...that"s the only traffic we saw. I think the round trip was about 4 hours as the trail is pretty slow going. Depending on the time of day you may have a lot of shadows on the mill so be careful not to overexpose the waterfalls next to the mill. Make sure to hike a little past the mill and you will get to the little ghost town of Crystal which is a beautiful location. A couple of the old houses there could be occupied and are privately owned so don't get tempted to press your face up against the windows!

Have a great trip,

Goober