Crystal Mill

What an incredible hike up to a beautiful area! Definitely don’t recommend driving anything but an off-road Jeep up the trails. We considered taking our pickup but went against it after we saw how steep the start of the trail was! Bring LOTS of water and wear comfy shoes. The end result is worth the struggle of the uphill climb!

**Trail Status:** Not officially listed on AllTrails **Directions:** We followed the route outlined on the Crested Butte town website. The Crystal Mill hike offers a unique experience with its striking scenery and historical significance. One notable aspect of this trail is its elevation profile. The hike to the mill is primarily downhill, making for a pleasant and easy trek. However, be prepared for a challenging return journey, as the elevation gain can be taxing. **Recommendation:** Start early to enjoy the scenery and allow ample time for the ascent back. Bring plenty of water and take breaks as needed. This trail is a hidden gem worth exploring!

What a gorgeous day, beautiful colors, and not a lot of traffic. Jeep trail road sign wasn't real visible and could use some refurbishing. Not too bad of a ride. If hiking, be prepared for rain at anytime.

Mill was cold to see. But it was the drive there that was the amazing. You need to be in a keep and have to feel comfortable to very very rough ride for the entire off road trail. The short section is much better if you just want to get there and a small taste of the trail . Many will not like this rough and some say scary ride. I loved it but love off road trails like this!

Definitely a must see whether you hike to it or drive. The road there is rough and rocky but not impassable. Don't let the reviews fool you, i think some of them are locals who are getting tired of the traffic. Either that or they don't know how to overland. While I definitely recommend a vehicle with good ground clearance and at least all wheel drive, I've read several stories of 2x4 vehicles making it just fine. We did it in a 21 subaru crosstrek with nothing but falken wild peak tires and only bumped (not scraped) the bottom twice on the way in and once on the way out. It took me an hour each way because I took my time choosing a path that was easier on our crosstrek. Fortunately, it wasn't very busy that day and only had to stop for 2 vehicles to pass coming in and going out. The trail is very narrow in places and requires your full attention, but the payoff of the beauty of the mill and the drive in are worth it to me. I would definitely do it again.