The BEST way to Crystal Mill, but is it too spicy?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Huge shout out to Drew who edited this and to the crew who filmed this with me! We have a backlog of videos filmed that Drew is helping me get edited. He’ll be editing the whole trip from Marble to Aspen including Lead King basin (this one), Devil’s Punchbowl/Schofield Pass, and Pearl Pass. Give him some time, but we’d love to hear what you guys want included for those trails as he’s working on them now. If you want to see some cool Colorado trails, subscribe as we’ll be pumping them out as fast as our jobs will allow. I think we have 25 filmed that need to be edited.

[@PathsLessTraveled]

Please let us know with links when these other videos are up! Thanks for sharing as it helps us plan our trip.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

We’ll have a playlist of them all when done. Future overland trips will be made as one probably long overland guide video.

[@FearlessTrailhawk]

My photography brother instantly was like "I wanted to go there soo bad!!!" Great and beautiful trail, sad news about the access to the mill though.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

You should! It’d be a great trip Marble to Aspen for your business.

[@dr.mikelamphere8324]

The Lead King section is great.... Schofield from Crested Butte to Crystal Mill, that was spicy!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

For sure, or doing it in the rain like I did this summer… that was spicy ha

[@dr.mikelamphere8324]

@@coloradomallcrawlers I can only imagine. The punchbowl is worth seeing! Hope to catch y’all on the trail sometime. 20 JT in Gobi on 37s. Rat Patrol. Colorado Springs local.

[@krashnpa]

One of the most beautiful trails I've been on, and love coming from PD side to Marble for lunch. I feel fortunate to have been able to see the Mill and the General Store.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Couldn't agree more!

[@DH.Maker.Artist]

Looking forward to how the rest of this trip turns out!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I think with an amazing editor like you, they’ll come out great!

[@CampgroundRecon]

Beautiful area! We've been the spicy route but not the very spicy. It looked smoother than I thought it would be.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

It really is!

[@lowe-landeroutdoors0407]

Great video Drew ! I really liked the way point graphics.. awesome as usual guys

[@DH.Maker.Artist]

Thank you! Seemed like it had good reception in peak 10 and was a more original way to show everyone. Keep up the great work on your end as well! Looking forward to the next time we cross paths on the trail.

[@outbackwack368]

Thanks, Dewey. Another awesome trail review! I am so sick of a few [bad] people ruining things for the many. When will [bad] people learn to respect others? Be safe out there!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Me too and Good question! You too!

[@outlaw9232]

Great video Dewie! I ran it a few years ago and the fall colors were amazing. The top was down and doors were off. I’ll be going back in September for another fall colors run. Great editing and drone shots!!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I want to run it again this year too… but I think I’m going to try to do the miner’s loop first! Thanks buddy!

[@Garrett-Crosier]

Great Video!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you buddy!

[@fairplayrandy]

Gorgeous footage! Excellent video, I'll be making the trip over there from Fairplay after watching this. Thanks!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Have a blast! Definitely check the trail reviews… I think lead king basin is open fully.

[@Coloradohighcountrywheelin]

Wow, you got down right in front of the mill😊. I'm headed up that Mid August.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Heck yeah! Have a great time!

[@OXFOOT]

Damn, I haven't done this route in years. Need to go back this fall!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Definitely!

[@JanetGraniteJeep]

Great video! The views were awesome! Sad news about the vandalism, though. Looking forward to your next one!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! Yeah, I hate seeing it happen.

[@johnc8327]

Just went to Crystal Mill last weekend. Had a great time. Didn't take Lead King Basin though. Took the trail on the right.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Good stuff!

[@cobike80132]

We're losing more trails by the day due to misuse and abuse. The back country is so easily accessed now, which is great, yet the few who choose to abuse it dictate the fate of access for all. The mill was spray painted/'tagged', carved up, bits broken off and carted away, used as a toilet and trashed by the abusive few. Now a sad part of its very history is the way it was misused. Hate to see it but grateful to the owners/caretakers for closing the trail and saving what is left of our heritage and CO history.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I think the issue is the mill is so easily accessed… I mean this was the harder route yet it was easy. I’d think most people with an AWD SUV could probably get there by the easy way (we didn’t drive it tho). I’m a big fan of kids, but my guess is teens did the vandalism at night, not off-roaders. I could be wrong, but it takes some time for us to develop the right reasoning to understand why vandalizing the mill is big deal.

[@thomaspeters5889]

Erosion is a result of normal use and is inevitable. It's not that the planet isn't worth saving, it's just that it can't be used without wear and tear. Its a living entity and like all living things here in this physical universe will eventually die but mankind will out live it and is destined to leave one day. So enjoy yourself and join the masses and scuff up a road or two and don't fret if you dropped your water bottle on the way!

[@renoallstate4573]

​@thomaspeters5889 Thoughtful and well said! Provided people are being good humans and mindful of others enjoy the trails! Kids will also be kids and hopefully learn from their mistakes. The ones that learn may go on to create their own future historical sites, but in order for that to happen, development must take place. A cycle of bulding and degradation that is never ending and provided this continues it is inevitable we move on to other planets... wow, that escalated quickly! As for conservation I also agree with that however am not buying the doom and gloom propaganda as clean energy coincides with efficiency and that is just natural human progression. Keep calm and enjoy your short ride on this dirt ball we call home.

[@rivercaster]

I love the XJ's - if you take this over the mountains you can land in Creste Butte?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Yes you can, the next video in this series shows that.

[@juandiegomata3342]

Great video. Any suggestions on where to park truck and trailer? Looking to do this trail on SXS. Thanks

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’m not really sure… you might be able to in marble. Check TrailsOffroad out.

[@4Fox59]

Sadly they just closed the visitor trail due to vandalism. Still looking forward to the vid!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Yeah, we updated the video to indicate that.

[@Fishingfanatic88]

So what does that mean for access? Can I still get to the pool at the bottom?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@Fishingfanatic88no, but you could get to the pool on the devils Punchbowl. In the next video, there was a guy swimming/bathing as we climbed up it.

[@jcfindley380]

Been looking forward to your review on this one is it is in my top two on my trails to do list. We will see if the video convinces my wife we she can do it. Also, did you get Blanca Peak yet?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Good luck! Unfortunately my job is being a pain as I’m getting tossed all around. Blanca needs narration and it’s a mess to organize. I want to get it done because we got some great stuff, but it’s just hard with me working over 200 hours a month.

[@treksonwheels]

those XJ's!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

They’re definitely awesome!

[@mikediehl1468]

It's amazing how far back in the middle of nowhere that is now cuz towns and populations migrate.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Absolutely, there is an old big saloon style building on one of my railroad routes. It’s absolutely in the middle of nowhere where (no roads, deep in a canyon, other side of river from the tracks) and it’s just there. None of us know what it truly was, but we all have our guesses.

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

Dewey, in your defense of higher tire pressures, tires have more load (vertical, anyway ) then theyll ever have when they're off road. Youll put all the weight on three tires or even two tires all the time. Especially if someone is driving a Cherokee Trailhawk like me with less flex. I never go below 22 unless i have a problem. You also lose side hill stability when the pressure is too low. Im usually at 26 on trails and 26-29 street. (And that's exactly what the load inflation tables tell me to do). I don't slip much at 26 psi and it rides well at that pressure. I agree, why go lower if you dont have to ?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I read a lot of books on off-roading and they have always said to use it for sand, mud, snow, and slick rocky conditions. I’ve stuck to that as I don’t need to do it for comfort. I was just reading a magazine (tread I think) that echoed my airing down philosophy upon skimming it. I haven’t had time to dig into the article yet. I really don’t care what people do tho… but I think I’ve proven that if someone says you need to air down for traction on a dry Colorado trail, they’re probably not someone to take advice from.

[@DanielGarcia-qt1nl]

how can we join your group if we want to go out with you sometime? Im new overlanding and would like to learn from you all.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’m setting up trips through our channel membership. This will allow us to be all on the same page as I’m making member videos on what to expect and how to prepare for a trip.

[@PopoMedic]

Dude shoot me an email! Will be doing some over landing through CO next week if you’re free to cruise

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

What’s your email? I’m in moab filming starting today.

[@jamescanady8156]

Was this shot in 2023? Are the leaves already turning?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I think 2022, but I lose track… it should have been in the video. I’ll check once I get off this train tho.

[@DH.Maker.Artist]

If I remember correctly from the beginning of the video it was September 2022.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@DH.Maker.ArtistDrew is correct… September 2022. I was worried it was a late 2021 video with how backlogged we are.

[@miketuggle9273]

Tough in 2 wheel drive? I have done all that in 2WD no problem in my JL Jeep.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’m sure your drivetrain loves that 🙄

[@miketuggle9273]

@@coloradomallcrawlers All is well with it. 95K miles. all maintenace is done when due.

[@backwoodstherapy]

Hate that about the mill. Idiots can't just not destroy things. Same situation with Nemo Tunnel in Wartburg - the tunnel was such a cool thing to drive through and now it's gone. At least the trail system around the tunnel it is still open.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I was really hoping to cover Nemo tunnel! People ruining things does indeed suck.

[@markaragon6705]

Just respect the area owner thinking of shutting down access because so many don't think laws pertain to them

[@Raver_S_Thompson]

Popularity ruins for everyone. I pray my favorite spots in soco never get big. And why I always tell people Estes Park is the best of Colorado

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

It doesn’t have to tho. If respectful wheelers learn of a place and take care of it… that can use popularity to our advantage.

[@anthoneyurtz5689]

I 100% agree with you on airing down. It is over stated in my opinion. Spend the money on good suspension and your ride will improve all around is my goal. I love debating with people who swear by it. Sorry go ahead and air down for 20 minutes I will have the campfire waiting for you

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I don’t know where these guys got it from. It’s so weird to me, I feel like it’s a way people gatekeep off-roading. Or maybe we’re just getting soft. The thing is, if you want to air down, cool, no problem! I just can’t believe how much push back I get for not doing it every time I wheel. If I can’t get up something, then call me out while I’m quickly deflating my tires on the trail 😉

[@anthoneyurtz5689]

@coloradomallcrawlers no offense, but how many online offroad influencers always talk about airing down? You are the first that I have ever say you don't. Ive wheeled in alot of different parts of the country in almost every terrain out there and still didn't air down. Thanks for saying you don't air down. Maybe people will start saving some times and go enjoy the trail instead if doing what joe schmoe youtuber does. I left jeeps awhile ago and now have a 4x4 sprinter and every single one of those peoppe.swear by airing down for a well groomed fire road lol. 99% of sprinter owners never left asphalt before in their life a d they wa t to swear by airing down.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@anthoneyurtz5689 none taken, I’m a video maker, not an influencer. I don’t really concern myself with them… just make my videos. Still frustrated and mad none of them helped get the word out about moab when I told my KZbin “friends” all about it.

[@anthoneyurtz5689]

@@coloradomallcrawlers the moab situation is tough. Did they come out with a list of what trails they are closing?