Are dogs allowed on Crystal Mill?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Crystal Mill but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Crystal Mill?

No, Crystal Mill does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Crystal Mill?

Crystal Mill is rated difficult. It is 9.0 miles long with 2,343 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Colorado trail conditions

DifficultOut and Back

Colorado

Crystal Mill

Carbondale, Colorado

9.0 mi

Distance

2,343 ft

Elev. Gain

3h 42m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Difficult

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

Take about 4 and 1/2 hours to complete the hike, which includes 30 minutes of leisure time at the Mill. The amount of Jeep/ATV traffic can be a bit frustrating at times. If you have a vehicle with a high clearance, you can eliminate about 0.6 miles of hiking by parking at the top of the hill. This is a moderate hike that runs along the Crystal River. The fall colors are beautiful and the summer is great to swim. There is a $10 fee to go under the rope and view the Mill from the water but you can also see it from the road.

From Wikipedia

The Crystal Mill, or the Old Mill is an 1892 wooden powerhouse located on an outcrop above the Crystal River in Crystal, Colorado, United States. It is accessible from Marble, Colorado via four-wheel drive. Although called a Watermill, it is more correctly denoted as a compressor station, which used a water turbine to drive an air compressor, and was originally built with a horizontal wheel. The compressed air was then used to power other machinery or tools.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:2,476 ft

Max:2,729 ft

714 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context