Crystal Mill

Gunnison KOA
Gunnison, CO
July 10, 2016

What a treat to go exploring on some difficult 4X4 trails with Scott and Chris.  Our goal was to traverse the narrow rocky road above  Crystal Canyon and the mountain scenery bordering the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.  We clocked almost 40 miles of sheer beauty, scary fun, and even some history.  

We connected to Devil's Punchbowl ( Charles Wells Guide ) via Slate River Road just north of Crested Butte.  The Punchbowl gets its difficult rating because of an extremely narrow rocky ledge that ascends/descends the near vertical wall of Crystal Canyon.  


In some places, its a drive along a cliff wall up to 300 feet.

Dangerous backing would be required to pass.

Looking down on Crystal River and the roaring water...the canyon is actually deeper that the picture shows. 

There is no good way to get an up-close picture of the dramatic waterfall and deep pool of water that gives this trail its name.  This photo was taken from a narrow bridge as we crossed the river.    

I love old mining towns and we just happened to pass right thru one...Crystal City.  It was originally incorporated in 1880 with a high population of 300-400 people who mostly supported the miners.  By the 1920s it was all but a ghost town.  Today, a few families reside there in the summer. Crystal never has had electricity. 

I had read that the most photographed historic sight in the state of Colorado and ranked top 5 in the nation is the old Crystal Mill.  



I am so intrigued by places like this.  It's amazing how it has stood the test of time and weather.  



The mill was built in 1893.  It harnessed the river to power air compressor housed inside.   

 Early engineers built a dam across the river which funneled the water down the vertical penstock (ladder-like structure) onto a horizontal wheel which drove an axle in the the penstock.  The penstock powered the air compressor.  The compressor ran drills used to bore holes in the mine walls for the placement of dynamite.  

Today the housing is held together with cables.  The mill closed in 1917. Efforts to preserve this piece of history have been aided by Gunnison and Aspen Historical Societies.  

 It's precarious "perch" on an outcropping of rock just above the Crystal River...

 



Broken boards are remnants from the stamp mill used to reduce and process silver ore.

Lunch was enjoyed in a quiet alcove with a roaring view of Crystal River. 







 After nearly 11 miles following Crystal River, we made a left hand turn on Lead King Basin Trail (Charles Wells Guide).  It is also rated difficult because of a narrow rocky shelf road where backing up to pass is necessary for oncoming vehicles.   

What a beautiful drive along the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.  

 A breathtaking reprieve...

...before the narrow rocky shelf road as we entered the basin.

From here we eventually found our way back to Washington Gulch Road and headed home.  

There was one other waterfall where we stopped for pictures.  Until next time, happy days and...

Thanks for the photo Scott.

HAPPY TRAILS !

Up next...Hike the Peak

Oh Be Joyful Hike & Gunsight Pass

Gunnison KOA
Gunnison, CO
July 8, 2016


Doesn't a name like Oh Be Joyful entice you to come and play?  That's exactly what we did yesterday.  To find this wonderful piece of heaven, take Hwy 135 (Gothic Road) north through Crested Butte and turn left on Slate River Rd.  Drive 4.5 to 5 miles on a well maintained dirt road and look for the Oh Be Joyful Campground and trail sign.  

At the bottom of the hill you can cross the river if your vehicle has enough clearance and park on the other side.  

Joe, Scott, Zuni, Chris and Shannon

At first the trail climbs fairly steeply on an old mining road along side Oh Be Joyful Creek.  We had a great group...Ronnie, Carol, Shannon and Cooper, and Scott, Chris and Zuni.

When we reached  the falls, the trail mostly flattens out and becomes much narrower.  






Shortly after, we crossed the wilderness boundary.
From here the miles are endless as you traverse a narrow path through the glacial valley.  Our hike was 7 miles roundtrip in/out.  

We enjoyed the shade, fragrance and dampness  from patches of  evergreens and aspens along the way. 





But mostly I fancied the wide-open meadows with it's lush greenery, splashes of color and grandiose views. 

 

 

I am trying really hard not to duplicate the wildflowers.

This is Mountain Parlsey...one of the longest blooming mountain flowers.


This is Sneezeweed...named for the use of its dried and powdered flowers in snuff.  I love the droopy flowers !

Distort flowers wave in tight clusters a foot above most low-growing tundra flowers. Bears, elk and rodents find the ropey roots to be tasty.

 Horsemint Beebalm is a magnet for bees and butterflies.

 This is Mountain Harebell...commonly found in dry open meadows.

After lunch back at the Oh Be Joyful Campground, we headed up Gunsight Pass (just off Slate River Road close to where we were.)  with Scott and Chris.  This is not a trail in Charles' Wells guide.  It was an old mining road. Today it basically zig-zags up to the pass and is mainly used by bikers and 4WD vehicles.  About a mile from the top, the trail ends with a sign that recommends you not go past for your own safety. 
Scott leads the way...

The white lines on the right side bottom quadrant are Slate River Road.

 A beautiful view of the glacial valley we just hiked...

If you look closely, you can see the trail winding around the back side of Mount Emmons...its the yellow looking line going center to right. 

At the point where we could not go any farther, we stopped to play...





...and just take it all in.

Until next time, happy days...

...and happy,

 HAPPY TRAILS!

 Information on wildflowers is from a book I bought at the bookstore in Ouray a couple of years ago...Wild About Wildflowers by Katherine Darrow.