Hermit Pass isn't too far (Westcliffe) and has scenic views of the mountains and of Horseshoe / Hermit Lake. Westcliffe is a great spot to grab breakfast and coffee before hand and Elevation Meat Market has bad ass sandwiches for lunch after. We can be back pretty early in the day if we set out early.
I was going to run Crystal Mill last year in my 4Runner after a pretty traumatizing April and May and got into an accident right before my trip. I ended up hiking it (Carbondale and Marble during the pandemic were amazing - literally had the place to myself and the USFS campground outside of marble with riverside camp spots was completely empty) and I swear I'll cut my own legs off before I ever hike it again. The trail isnt hard per se and runs right along the beautiful Crystal River but it is a jeep trail through and through with a rocky surface almost the entire way. Grab some barbeque in Marble to celebrate after!
Thanks for the tip! Will plan on it!
No worries! I get it...I have three kids 9, 10, and 11. You all have fun running China Wall and share some pics!
That has a pretty cool little slab section so the naming seems appropriate. I've never even heard of that trial though. Cool find and relatively close!
I have to back out of Friday (7/30). I thought we were doing a deployment on Thursday (7/29), but it turns out it's Friday....evening!
I'll catch the next one.
Waggs
I'm still good to go Friday and Saturday
