Crystal Mill

Hi my name is Mike, and I am new here. I was referred by someone from the "Photo Traveler" group. I am planning a photo vacation to the Rocky Mountain NP area late this September. One of the subjects I would like to photograph is the Crystal Mill. I have been doing some research and realize this is on a rough 4X4 trail. I will be driving a 4X4 Ford Explorer. I am not sure it is appropriate for this trail. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I must apologies rudeness, I haven't yet met any of you and am already asking for your assistance. Please forgive me.

Welcome, Mike! Your Explorer will do fine - just take it slow. Be aware that the Crystal Mill is probably a 5-6 hour drive from RMNP.

I've driven there in my Explorer a few times. I have about a 1 1/2" lift and 31" tires, so it's not quite stock, but close. I've never had any problems.

I've been there in a stock 2000 Explorer and once in a crew cab F250. The crew cab PU was a bit large for the road, but Explorer was fine. If you go too much further on that road past the Old Mill, you will encounter problems. I'd recommend not driving past the "town" of Crystal.

The road is more of a goat trail anymore and can be traversed with caution in your Explorer. If it were me I would want more clearance as the road is pretty bad (but does seem a little better this year than last). Make sure you have a spare tire and a jack. The best light on the mill falls late afternoon close to sundown and I'm sure others (as I will) will post color conditions as we get closer to fall. In fact, I'm headed up to the mill Wednesday or Thursday this week depending on the weather. Maybe we can have a mini get together at the mill this fall?

I made my first trip to Colorado this spring. I took one look at the beginning of the road and decided I didn't want to attempt it in my rented 4x4 suv. IMO there are a lot of big rocks and it's very narrow almost all the way to the mill. There is a section that has a steep drop off that I thought was kind of scary.
I had the nice man at Crystal River Jeep take me http://www.crystalriverjeeptour.smithfamilycolorado.com/. I thought it was worth every penny I paid. But I'm not used to driving these kind of roads.

Smitty is the fellow who owns the Jeep Tours with his wife. Nice folks. They also run the RV park and the General Store. If you want to see the mill and/or do the Lead King Loop that's the way to do it if you are not used to driving goat trails.