Crested Butte, Colorado

The Town of Crested Butte population was 1,487 at the 2010 United States Census. The former coal mining town is now called "the last great Colorado ski town". 

In the 1860s and 1870s coal and silver mines began to open in the surrounding area, and many little mining towns formed. However, when silver mining began to decline, many of these towns failed. Crested Butte, however, was in a better position to survive because it served as a supply town to the surrounding area.  Another industry that served to support Crested Butte was ranching.
When the coal mines closed, the town began to shrink.  The town did not revive until a ski area was built on Crested Butte Mountain in the 1960s.

Slate River Road

Next time we can bring the Prius



Devil's Punchbowl

Crystal is a ghost town in a valley on the upper Crystal River in Gunnison County, on a four-wheel-drive road between Marble and Crested Butte.

Crystal was incorporated on July 8, 1881, but mined as early as the 1860s. At its peak, Crystal had 400+ residents.  In 1915, only eight people lived here. Today, most of the town of Crystal is owned by the relatives of Emmet Gould. These owners live in Crystal during the summer months only. There is a small general store and public outhouse. Some of the cabins are available for short term rental.



Crystal is best known for one of the most photographed historic sites in Colorado, the Crystal Mill



Sheep resting on the hill.

Descending Sheep Mountain into Lead King Basin.

Climbing the Rocky ledge at Devil's Punchbowl.

Emerald Lake

View out our front window at the RV Park

View out the back window.

Pearl Pass

Elevation 12,705 feet



Climbing through the heart of beautiful Aspen Ski area.

Looking down on the town of Aspen

Taylor Lake

Taylor Pass

Lost
Jack head
Somewhere on Taylor Pass Trial

Old Dorchester Guard Station

The Dorchester Guard Station is one of only two original Forest Service Guard Stations remaining in Gunnison County. It represents a unique Rocky Mountain style cabin construction and remains the only structure of the old town of Dorchester. The cabin is a one-room log cabin, originally built in 1905, in a remote area of Taylor Park. It was adjacent to the stagecoach road from Tincup to Aspen. Postal service was initiated for Dorchester on August 2, 1900 and the new cabin was designated the Post Office after its construction until July 31, 1912 when the post office was discontinued. During this time period the building also functioned as a general store, stage stop, and Forest Service phone point. By 1920, the town of Dorchester was abandoned. The land and associated structures, including the cabin, have reverted back to the U.S. Forest Service.