Crystal Mill trail closed after mill was damaged by trespassers
Access to the historic Crystal Mill near Marble, one of Colorado’s most iconic photo locations, was blocked in May by owner Chris Cox to prevent trespassing and vandalism at the fragile, 131-year-old structure.
The closure, first reported by the Colorado Sun, came in response to trespassers who have stolen pieces of the building and defaced it in other ways. But it does nothing to diminish the experience of visiting the area and photographing the mill, according to Sam Smith Wilkey, who owns Crystal River Jeep Tours in Marble. In fact, she said, it has “enhanced” it.
A viewing area, from which generations of photographers have captured images of the building, remains accessible. The closure of a 50-foot trail merely blocks access to Crystal River and the building. In fact, Wilkey is grateful that visitors can no longer congregate beside the river and ruin photos that she takes from the viewing area.
“Everyone wants to get the shot — photographers, influencers, even I want the shot,” said Gilkey, who grew up in the area. “Every day that I go up, I take pictures of the mill because it’s pretty. I love the mill. She’s part of my soul. I don’t want people in my shot.”
Cox could not be reached for comment, but Wilkey praised him for the way the closure was executed.
“It’s 50 feet from the viewing area at the road, down to the river,” Wilkey said. “He utilized natural barriers — old logs that he found in the woods – and it looks awesome, perfect, lovely. I was pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t ruin anybody’s picture, and it makes it near impossible to get down to the river. And that would be the access to get inside the mill. We support it, and we appreciate it.”
Located 6 miles west of Marble, the structure was built in 1892. Despite its name, it wasn’t actually a mill. It was built beside a dam with a water-wheel turbine to operate an air compressor that served mines in the area before closing in 1917. Getting there requires negotiating a rocky road from Marble that in some places is only 8 feet wide, making it a destination best suited to hikers, mountain bikers, four-by-four vehicles and horseback riders.
Wilkey said Cox’s main concern was preservation of the building, which she described as “very delicate” because of its age.
“His main concern is keeping the mill standing, keeping it as pristine as he can,” Gilkey said. “It’s his property. What he’s chosen to do is the right thing for everybody.”
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