Crystal Mill Falls


This is a park and huck at the famous Crystal Mills Falls, the scene adorning many a Colorado postcard.  As we pulled over with all the other tourists and began unloading boats, I told my buddies, "Normally I never kayak just for the photos, but this one, it's just for the photo."  At low flows this drop is fairly easy, but beginner and intermediate boaters should still take heed as getting flipped in the upper slot and running this one upside down could result in a serious injury.  At higher flows, a strong hole forms on river left at the base of the falls, which frequently doles out beatdowns and swims.

Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Crystal River are between a bare minimum of 400cfs and a high of 2,000cfs. River conditions sourced from USGS 09081600, the Crystal River Ab Avalanche C Remember only watercraft are permitted at Crystal Mill Falls.

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Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
East River Bl Cement Creek Nr Crested Butte
USGS 09112200 		575 cfs 2.4 ft
Beaver Creek At Avon
USGS 09067000 		29 cfs 2.5 ft
Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs
USGS 09085000 		1,920 cfs 3.5 ft
Taylor River At Almont
USGS 09110000 		444 cfs 2.3 ft
North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie
USGS 09078500 		54 cfs 3.2 ft
Hunter Creek Near Aspen
USGS 09074000 		8 cfs 1.1 ft
Taylor River At Taylor Park
USGS 09107000 		202 cfs 2.0 ft
Lake Fork At Gateview
USGS 09124500 		221 cfs 2.1 ft
West Divide Creek Near Raven
USGS 09089500 		39 cfs 2.2 ft
North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia
USGS 09134100 		82 cfs 1.0 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Redstone 17 7,299 ft
Gothic 4 9,657 ft
Lost Lake 19 9,621 ft
Lake Irwin 32 10,400 ft
Avalanche 13 7,320 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Aspen Mountain 37" 62° 0"
Buttermilk Mountain 30" 62° 0"
Crested Butte Mountain Resort 25" 66° 0"
Aspen Highlands 30" 62° 0"
Sunlight Mountain Resort 22" 70° 0"
Snowmass 30" 62° 0"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Two Rivers to South Canyon 2290.0cfs 5.0 Mi II+ to III
Bogan Canyon 758.0cfs 6.85 Mi III to III+
Oh Be Joyful 653.0cfs 1.0 Mi V
Waterfall to Confluence 401.0cfs 1.0 Mi V-
Catherine Store Section 401.0cfs 4.0 Mi II to II+
Castle Creek 203.0cfs 2.0 Mi IV+ to V-
Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park 2290.0cfs 0.25 Mi II to IV-
Barrel Springs 2220.0cfs 4.0 Mi IV+ to V+
Crystal Mill Falls 310.0cfs None Mi V- to V
Cemetery 901.0cfs 12.0 Mi II+ to III+
Avalanche Down 758.0cfs 12.0 Mi III
Carbondale to Westbank (Pink to Black) 901.0cfs 7.0 Mi II
Barrel Springs 2220.0cfs 4.0 Mi IV+ to V+
Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers Park 1380.0cfs 6.0 Mi II to III
Shoshone (Power Plant to Grizzly Creek) 1380.0cfs 1.7 Mi III- to IV
Shoshone (Power Plant to Grizzly Creek) 1380.0cfs 1.7 Mi III- to IV