Home in Marble CO - 2015

In the summer of 2014, Matthew and I did a sort of scouting trip of Colorado, going through Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Aspen, and Buena Vista.  We really enjoyed the area around Carbondale.  Not as crowded or ritzy as Aspen, but with much of the same outstanding fishing and hiking.  In summer of 2015, we knew we wanted to rent a home in Carbondale.  Looking at VRBO, it came down to choosing between a place close to town that was smaller and urban, or going more remote for a home that was bigger and really in the mountains.  We chose the later, and found a home near the turnoff from 133S to Marble.  The home was outstanding - the Crystal river in the backyard, wall to wall windows, mountains in every view.  Even the 25 mile drive to town never got tiring because it was so beautiful.

 

Crystal Mill - June 9 2024

Alison and I had a relaxed hike to the mill in very nice early summer weather.  It was about 70 degrees, and mostly blue skies.  The stats:

Miles:  7.45 round trip from our parking at top of Daniels Hill

Time:  3 hours not counting 15 minutes at the mill

Pace:  2.8 mph

Effort:  relaxed

The road was mostly good, except for 2 or 3 sections where the river overflowed it's banks into the road itself.  A few spots looked questionable, but in reality were easy to walk through with the deepest parts being maybe 5 inches.  Alison was anxious, but was pleased to realize this wasn't a big deal, the water wasn't too uncomfortable, and walking in wet shoes isn't that bad.  Expanding her adventure abilities.

The trees were beautiful, with the fresh spring light green of the aspens blended in with the

darker green of the firs.  The waterfalls were at peak flows, making for dramatic scenes when crashing into the river.  The river was very off-color and loud, making it's way down stream.  

We also saw many dandelion patches and swarms of butterflies.  

Lizard Lake seemed a foot lower.  A ton of bugs but no fish rising.  The water shimmered as the sun reflected off the smallest of disruptions on the mostly glass like surface.

I think I should try to go fish Lizard Lake, given that the rivers are all un-fishable at the moment.