Posted by Jack Garrett on September 3, 2009 at 7:35 PM
On my upcoming trip, I have a couple questions for you veterans.
1. I had someone tell me today that it is almost impossible to drive in to the Crystal Mill...is that correct? I always thought you could with 4wd. I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD. Is there a best time of day for this one?
2. Best time of day to shoot Marcellena Peak? sunrise/sunset
3. Best time of day to shoot Wilson Peak?
4. Is there a best time of day for Silverjack?
Posted by John Mumaw on September 3, 2009 at 8:18 PM
#3-Sunrise/early morning 'til noon.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on September 3, 2009 at 8:42 PM
1. I've made it there in a Jeep Liberty from Marble via Lead King Basin Road, you should be OK in a Cherokee 4WD. The road is very rough, but should be doable in your vehicle if you go slow. Do not attempt Schofield Pass unless you are extremely confident in your 4WD ability.
2. Depends on the angle you are at here. I prefer sunset, shooting from the west side of the mountain on the Kebler Pass road. Morning can bring in good photos from the other side of the road from the mountain or around Lost Lake.
3. Sunrise. Check out Silver Pick Road or Last Dollar Road from Telluride.
4. Late evening to sunset. Silverjack Res. itself isn't the best, but the rock spires along the road, above Owl Creek Pass, can get some nice light late in the day.
Posted by Scott Fricke on September 3, 2009 at 8:47 PM
#1 I have driven the 4WD road from Marble to Crystal Mill several times, in both a stock Jeep wrangler and a stock Toyota FJ. I drive off-road quite a bit and did not think that that road was particularly difficult. As with most backcountry roads though conditions can change and one driver may have a totally different view of the difficulty of the trail than another. A good place to check the condition of a road and whether it is open or not is http://www.traildamage.com/ or contact the local National Forest Service office.
Posted by Bryan Maltais on September 3, 2009 at 10:33 PM
As for the times of day to shoot, you can decide for yourself. In Google Earth there's a sunlight tool on the top of the screen that animates the sunlight as it shines on the land throughout the day.
Posted by Jack Garrett on September 3, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I forgot about that sunlight tool Bryan..thanks. Thanks also to the others for your input...sounds like the road is definitely doable. I've got a fair amount of 4WD experience so I was more worried about clearances than anything else.
Most of the Marcellina shots I've seen are sunset shots from the west. There are some great views of the other side, though, if you hike out the trail to Silver Basin from Horse Ranch Park. Here's one and here's another. With some good sunrise light, these would be killer locations. No shortage of aspens in the views, either.
Discussion
7 replies1. I had someone tell me today that it is almost impossible to drive in to the Crystal Mill...is that correct? I always thought you could with 4wd. I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD. Is there a best time of day for this one?
2. Best time of day to shoot Marcellena Peak? sunrise/sunset
3. Best time of day to shoot Wilson Peak?
4. Is there a best time of day for Silverjack?
2. Depends on the angle you are at here. I prefer sunset, shooting from the west side of the mountain on the Kebler Pass road. Morning can bring in good photos from the other side of the road from the mountain or around Lost Lake.
3. Sunrise. Check out Silver Pick Road or Last Dollar Road from Telluride.
4. Late evening to sunset. Silverjack Res. itself isn't the best, but the rock spires along the road, above Owl Creek Pass, can get some nice light late in the day.
http://www.shoot2capture.com/Cars/Cars/6759813_qMsnc/1/#431669621_oDDQm-A-LB