"Discover this 9.0-mile out-and-back trail near Carbondale, Colorado. Generally considered a…read moremoderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 1 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and off-road driving, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash." there is some parking at the bottom of the road if you do not have 4WD. There are no bathrooms, trash cans or dog poop bags available. So be sure to plan accordingly and also plan on packing out what you pack in. The road up to 314 is just incline. You take a right at the fork (314) towards crystal city. This road will have some incline but also going down hill. When we went there were a few giant pools of water but they were not too bad to get around. There was also one giant strip of mud but it was not deep. stayed near side of road and was able to walk on it. When you get to the mill, if you want to walk down closer to get better views you will need to do another 3-5 minute walk into town to go to the store and sign the waiver and pay $10 if you have a phone but $50 if you have nice camera/more professional set up. The store had some snacks and drinks. If you pay the money then you go back. The store will let them know at the mill that you paid and are good to go. I thought it was worth it to pay the $ to be able to go down and have lunch near the river, get better pictures, and play in the water. Apparently you can also swim in the water but need to stay near the banks. The water was definitely pretty cold though.

Crystal Mill is easily one of the most iconic sights to see in Colorado. So after living here for…read more14 years, I decided I was long overdue to make my way to this gorgeous piece of Colorado history! THE HISTORY: Crystal Mill actually isn't a mill at all. It was actually 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 at the nearby Sheep Mountain Mine. When the mine closed in 1917 - so did Crystal Mill. THE JOURNEY: There are 3 ways to make your way to Crystal Mill: Jeep tour, 4x4 vehicle, or hiking along the 4x4 road. I opted to hike - more about that later. From the parking area at Beaver Lake to the Town of Crystal and back is approximately 12 miles round-trip with 1500+ feet of elevation gain. Crystal Mill is just before your reach the town. The initial incline is the worst part of the trail - quite steep, long, and dusty. About a third of the way to Crystal Mill, you will pass Lizard Lake which made a great resting point. You are following Crystal River the whole way which lends its self to some great photo ops. Though, if you're like me, you may strain your neck looking up at the canyon walls. THE DESTINATION: Once you arrive at Crystal Mill, you can pay a donation of $10 to pass under the safety rope and make your way down to the river. You can explore the river bank and the river, but you cannot cross to the other bank. Fall at Crystal Mill is gorgeous! I was lucky to arrive during peak leaf peeping. I'd imagine spring with the winter snowmelt would be gorgeous as well. There were tons of photographers trying to get the perfect shot. I rested and soaked up the views for a couple hours before making my way back. Crystal Mill was easily one of the most exhausting yet rewarding hikes I have done. The next time I choose to make my way to Crystal Mill I'll definitely be bringing along my quad so I can adventure a bit further. **Pro Tip: If you choose to hike make sure to start early, pace yourself, and hydrate! I easily went through 2.5 liters of water during my hike to Crystal Mill.

Like I said in the other post, NINA you are truly born to be a theatrical star. The history of…read moreAspen and the way you broke it down. You had our group at Hello. By the way, amazing costume, it was appropriate. You engaged the group, you made it fun, you made it interactive, and you made us feel like we were part of something. I would definitely urge people to book a tour. It was well worth it. I also like that you walked us around Aspen showing us buildings that had been in the inklings of Aspen's growth. I also like the knowledge you have installed in us. Like I had mention in my other review, I came to Aspen not knowing anything, and now here I am at work in San Diego, telling people all about the History of Aspen through your stories and the pictures I took on my phone. 5 stars all the way!

We did a two-hour historical tour that included a visit to two museums, being driven around the…read moredowntown and West end in an electric open vehicle. The leader of the tour wore period type clothing and was fun and informative. I have been coming to Aspen for 20 years but still learned an enormous amount of info.

This City is absolutely astounding. Upon landing in the valley at the ASE Airport, we were welcomed…read moreby a very kind lady at the gate setting the tone for the trip here. Everyone from the airport staff, the check in person at the hotel, the restaurant staff and people that just live here have all been so warm and welcoming. The City is wedged in a valley with trees and mountains. The weather in the summertime is crisp with random rain showers. There's hiking trails, vistas, and roads to drive. Come adventure in Aspen!

I am reviewing this place for its grounds, buildings and art work. This is one of the few places in…read moreAspen to visit other than endless number of art galleries in town. The grounds are beautiful with the Rockies as the back drop. There were tiny springs that meander and gurgle their way through out the campus. Beautiful landscape and certainly worth a visit if you ever within spitting distance of this place.

I arrived is Aspen to be a part of the Aspen Ideas Fest. I enjoyed it very much...but what was most…read moreimpressive was the remarkable job the celebrity impersonators did. They had people walking all over the campus that looked exactly like Madelyn Albright, that guy from Virgin Records and countless others...Amazing The number two thing that I enjoyed, was the free Pepsi! There is nothing wrong with that! The only complaint I have and it's minor one is, I wish the AI (Aspen Institute to the "locals") had more upbeat music at night and provide a dance floor. That might be a great way to get the kids interested, only an "Aspen Idea", Ha. Looking forward to my next visit to Aspen. P.S. It would also be nice if you could shave the mountains down a bit, It would make flying into your airport easier and extend the daylight hours.

A nice field trip from the Aspen area and a pleasant drive south. Interesting to see the massive…read moremarble slabs. Good to know how some places are their namesake.

Stopped here to ask about lunch & to find a loo in Marble yesterday, a town of 133 people,…read moreaccording to the 2020 U.S. Census, and a town my dad loved & showed me in 2008, and met beautiful people, Lynn and Vickie, who listened to my love for my dad, gave me hugs, and gave me a map to find the happy public restrooms in this friendly artist & historic marble quarry mountain town, beloved my dad & now me. After enlightening & encouraging chit chats with both Lynn & Vickie inside, Vickie gave me a tour outside of her husband, Rex Branson's, and her art work, which I found beautiful & fascinating. I asked if I could take pictures, and got their business card, then found them online later. Inquired if/how they deliver, and they do & can! And they can guide me as to all the equipment I'd need on the other end to receive such a huge, heavy piece of beautiful white marble art work, hopefully / potentially one day for my dad's, now my, house in Denver, in our backyard, as a heartfelt tribute to my dad & our journey here. Per Wikipedia, the white marble from this historic quarry has been used in Washington, D.C., for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (important to me, given my dad was a Vietnam Veteran, and my grandfather a WWII Veteran) and the Washington Monument. It's also been used in equally important cities to my dad & me: San Francisco and New York City. Absolutely loved meeting & chatting with Lynn & Vickie yesterday, as it was exactly what I needed, and the purpose for this mountain trip! To remind me of my roots, and to help me fall back in love with my home state of Colorado. I had so many questions for Vickie about how they carve marble into round, smooth shapes, and she invited me back to watch them make art in July. I can't wait to return next summer!

We were looking for something to do with the kids inside while waiting out a rain storm. The Pitkin…read moreCounty Library is a gem for those with kids! They have an EXCELLENT children's area. They have lots of kids books easily accessible and categorized. They have an adorable puppet area with hand puppets. There is a table with bins filled with things to do like magnatiles and train tracks. Great place to bring the kids on a rainy day or if you are looking for a fun place indoors.

What really sets this library apart though is that if you are parent with small children who have…read moreany interest in the performing arts, you will look this library's program of Tunes and Tales and Story Time at the John Denver Outdoor Theater. In my opinion, Allison is a world-class children's librarian in that she knows how to really engage her audience on a first name basis--I suspect she could have majored in child development or the dramatic arts by the way she performs stories aloud. I recommend bringing your toddler to this program even if I had to put a mask on my child and fly across the country to see it. It was a such blessing to listen to Heather et al accompany Allison's oration with a violin and viola pair--what a dream team. What I personally like most about this library are the periodical selections on the subtopics of investing and aviation. I enjoy watching AARP members researching investments on nearby tables as if their lives depended on the effort. I also like the DVD and CD selection in the basement. If I had believed my brother or knew the town was this amazing, I think I would have visited sooner!

If you come here get a study room. The communication between the staff and drop off camps is loud…read moreand disrupting if trying to read or have a peaceful place. When here I had a head set on and still could hear the conversations. When address the running around and playing hide in seek, staff ignored my concern. We teach by example. This is a Library not a gym.

On vacation and needed a place to do some remote work, this library is so cute!! It has plenty of…read moreareas to sit with your laptop. I also saw some computer stations. There are giant windows with beautiful views. Im not sure if there is AC or if the thermostat is set high. I felt a little warm inside, but I had a tiny portable fan. Reliable internet and super sweet staff.

This is a lovely, mountain-town library. Their selection of items to lend is robust--a disc golf…read morekit, magna tiles, large dominoes, synthesizer, projector, and so much more. The staff is friendly, and you can get a temporary visitor card if you are not a resident.