7/16/2007 Posted On: 7/16/2007 By: Aubrey Info: The town of Marble is now paved all the way to Beaver Creek. No problems getting to the trailhead (for Snowmass - west slope) in a stock Xterra. There was one rocky section to contend with, but it wasn't bad. The creek was easy to cross and less than a foot deep (the crossing was maintained, from the looks of it). Once you ascend from the valley, the road switchbacks a lot, and it is rutted out in some areas, but the ruts are easy to navigate. Some of the undulations (bulldozed to control erosion, I presume) may high center trucks with long wheel bases and not-so-great clearance. Only real tricky part of the road: Many sections are very narrow and there aren't too many places to pull off and/or pass oncoming vehicles. Backing up on these steep shelf roads isn't for the wary, but at least the road isn't too rocky up there. As you drive, try to remember the most recent pull off, and try to memorize the terrain in case you have to drive it in reverse. I had to back up more than 50 yards on multiple occasions. | ||||
6/21/2007 Posted On: 6/21/2007 By: giarcd Info: loop is open---still have two creek crossing due to bridge work | ||||
6/11/2007 Posted On: 6/11/2007 By: giarcd Info: got a report from Lead King Paul today, while in Marble,--ATVs are tracking the L.K. side figures to open soon---stay tuned---Crystal side looks better | ||||
5/28/2007 Posted On: 5/28/2007 By: giarcd Info: open to last drainage before Sheep Mtn.then 3'of snow---lower Crystal City side 1st.bridge out must cross stream--open to CC then real ruff to second bridge out (cross stream) switchbacks snow covered - wait a bit for TH access!(unless you walk) | ||||
9/6/2006 Posted On: 9/6/2006 By: Tommy Dorr Info: I was able to make this TH in a 1985 Subaru Wagon GL (a new one wouldn't make it) in less than an hour from Marble. Follow Bills directions and you'll be fine. | ||||
8/25/2006 Posted On: 8/25/2006 By: Neil Info: DO NOT USE THE ROAD FROM CRYSTAL. I took a stock 97 Grand Cherokee up FR 315 (left at the fork just outside of Marble where you can either head toward Crystal or Lead King) and had no problems. The road is narrow in places and rough in others, but certainly passable for most stock 4x4s with short to medium wheel base. This road becomes more difficult with longer vehicles, but it is still passable - use your judgment. The tight switchbacks would be the only problem. Going down, I took the road into Crystal, which was in HORIBLE SHAPE. At one point, my partner and I, who are both very experienced back country drivers, spent 90 minutes dislodging our high-centered Jeep. Without VERY high clearance and plenty of experience, this road should be out of the question. | ||||
10/13/2005 Posted On: 10/13/2005 By: s_tuning Info: Road under 6-8 inches of snow at about 3.5 miles in. I put chains on my ATV tires and made it all the way in to Lead King Basin. | ||||
9/6/2005 Posted On: 9/6/2005 By: Arctic Blonde Info: As of Labor Day 2005, FR315 to Lead King Basin is in very good shape for 4WD. No problem at all with the road in a Dodge Dakota. I was tempted to drive through Crystal because it is a shorter distance to Lead King but luckily, good sense prevailed. The 1.5 mile section between Crystal and Lead King is brutal: it's possible to come down it but getting up is another matter. Saw one new Ford 250 extended cab at the TH with its bumper and other body parts riding in the cab after coming up that way. | ||||
6/19/2005 Posted On: 6/19/2005 By: cjw Info: We tried the high road to Leadking and were shutdown 2 miles past the fork to Crystal (2 of 5 miles). Talking to some 4 wheelers, road is open to Crystal. We didn't try via Crystal. | ||||
6/12/2005 Posted On: 6/12/2005 By: AzScott Info: We attempted to get up here on 6/10 and the road was very wet and muddy and we only made it 2 miles past Marble, though we only had a 2WD. Local hotel owners say a 20-foot avalanche across the road blocks access to Crystal as of some time last week. I could not verify this myself, though as we did not make it up that far. |
