Marble, CO (Crystal River valley)
A tiny Crystal River town whose white stone built the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknowns.
About Marble
Marble is a small town of about 130 residents at roughly 8,000 feet in the upper Crystal River valley, in Gunnison County, along the flanks of the Elk Mountains. It's reached via CO 133 between Carbondale and McClure Pass, and it's the jumping-off point for the famous Crystal Mill and the old Crystal townsite.
The town takes its name from the nearby Yule marble quarry, whose stone is often praised as among the purest marble ever quarried. Wander town and you'll find blocks of white marble scattered along the river and the ruins of the Marble Mill Site, one of several local National Register properties.
For photographers, Marble combines history, river scenery and some of the best fall color in the state, with the Crystal Mill hike starting right from town.
A small former quarry town along the Crystal River, best known today as the jumping-off point for the road to Crystal Mill, with the river itself running clear and fast enough for genuine long-exposure water shots right in town. The valley's aspen groves turn early relative to higher-elevation spots nearby, so it's worth checking here first if you're timing a fall color trip through the area.
History
Quarrying of Yule marble began in the late 1800s, and the town incorporated in 1899. The stone went into the Tomb of the Unknowns and parts of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as buildings in San Francisco and New York, and it was used for floors in the Colorado State Capitol. Marble's population boomed to 782 by 1910 before fading to just five residents in 1960. The quarry was revived after it was acquired in 2004, and the Marble Mill Site remains as a reminder of the town's industrial peak.
Photographing Marble
Best light: Late September is the headline season, when aspens light up the valley walls. Mornings are calm for reflections on Beaver Lake, and the Marble Mill ruins photograph well in soft light.
Shots to look for
- The Marble Mill Site ruins with leftover marble blocks and columns as foreground
- Beaver Lake reflections of the surrounding slopes on a still morning
- Crystal River riffles and white marble boulders with slow shutter speeds
- The hike or 4x4 road toward the Crystal Mill framed by fall aspens
Photo tips
- Parking in Marble is limited, especially on fall weekends; arrive early
- Respect private property; much of the land around town and up the Crystal road is private
- Do not remove marble pieces from historic sites
- Pair a town visit with an early start for the Crystal Mill
Know before you go
- The road beyond town toward the Crystal Mill requires a high-clearance vehicle
- Marble is very small with limited services; plan fuel and food from Carbondale
- Check current conditions on McClure Pass if arriving from the west
Prints from Marble
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
What is Marble, Colorado known for?
Its Yule marble quarry, whose stone was used in the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknowns, and its access to the Crystal Mill.
How far is the Crystal Mill from Marble?
From the Marble trailhead lot it's just under 4 miles each way on a rough jeep road.
Featured in: Best Fall Color Spots in Colorado
Combine it with
Crystal Mill, Marble · Redstone · McClure Pass · Carbondale
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.