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rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:55 pm Update on the road conditions after driving it last Thursday. We took the road less spicy, and it made all the difference. 5781029F-CEC8-4172-8E68-1DB98AA38AAE_1_105_c.jpeg

It took a little over an hour to get to the Crystal parking area from the town of Marble. There were large puddles on the roadway up to 6" deep but overall the terrain was fairly manageable. The hike to the Lead King Basin trailhead from the parking area only took about half an hour on fairly easy terrain. I think, in retrospect, we could have made it all the way up to the trailhead but can't be sure since we didn't attempt it.

Cygnus X1 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:56 pm

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:55 pm Update on the road conditions after driving it last Thursday. We took the road less spicy, and it made all the difference. 5781029F-CEC8-4172-8E68-1DB98AA38AAE_1_105_c.jpeg

It took a little over an hour to get to the Crystal parking area from the town of Marble. There were large puddles on the roadway up to 6" deep but overall the terrain was fairly manageable. The hike to the Lead King Basin trailhead from the parking area only took about half an hour on fairly easy terrain. I think, in retrospect, we could have made it all the way up to the trailhead but can't be sure since we didn't attempt it.

Your earlier post said you were driving an Outback. Circling back to my original post, would the additional length and width of a full size, crew cab, short box, 1/2 ton be any issue getting to the parking spot just past the mill?

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:48 pm

Cygnus X1 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:56 pm

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:55 pm Update on the road conditions after driving it last Thursday. We took the road less spicy, and it made all the difference. 5781029F-CEC8-4172-8E68-1DB98AA38AAE_1_105_c.jpeg

It took a little over an hour to get to the Crystal parking area from the town of Marble. There were large puddles on the roadway up to 6" deep but overall the terrain was fairly manageable. The hike to the Lead King Basin trailhead from the parking area only took about half an hour on fairly easy terrain. I think, in retrospect, we could have made it all the way up to the trailhead but can't be sure since we didn't attempt it.

Your earlier post said you were driving an Outback. Circling back to my original post, would the additional length and width of a full size, crew cab, short box, 1/2 ton be any issue getting to the parking spot just past the mill?

Hard to say for sure, but I think you'd be fine. You may have to back up if you meet another vehicle on some parts of the road but that's par for the course on these roads and there are a good number of turnouts. The only turn on FS-314 that seemed a little sharp was the turn right before the parking area after Crystal. I don't think it's anything that couldn't be handled with a three-point turn at worst though. I recall seeing at least one extended cab truck on the road when we were driving it.

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:48 pm

Cygnus X1 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:56 pm

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:55 pm Update on the road conditions after driving it last Thursday. We took the road less spicy, and it made all the difference. 5781029F-CEC8-4172-8E68-1DB98AA38AAE_1_105_c.jpeg

It took a little over an hour to get to the Crystal parking area from the town of Marble. There were large puddles on the roadway up to 6" deep but overall the terrain was fairly manageable. The hike to the Lead King Basin trailhead from the parking area only took about half an hour on fairly easy terrain. I think, in retrospect, we could have made it all the way up to the trailhead but can't be sure since we didn't attempt it.

Your earlier post said you were driving an Outback. Circling back to my original post, would the additional length and width of a full size, crew cab, short box, 1/2 ton be any issue getting to the parking spot just past the mill?

Hard to say for sure, but I think you'd be fine. You may have to back up if you meet another vehicle on some parts of the road but that's par for the course on these roads and there are a good number of turnouts. The only turn on FS-314 that seemed a little sharp was the turn right before the parking area after Crystal. I don't think it's anything that couldn't be handled with a three-point turn at worst though. I recall seeing at least one extended cab truck on the road when we were driving it.

Cygnus X1 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:56 pm

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:55 pm Update on the road conditions after driving it last Thursday. We took the road less spicy, and it made all the difference. 5781029F-CEC8-4172-8E68-1DB98AA38AAE_1_105_c.jpeg

It took a little over an hour to get to the Crystal parking area from the town of Marble. There were large puddles on the roadway up to 6" deep but overall the terrain was fairly manageable. The hike to the Lead King Basin trailhead from the parking area only took about half an hour on fairly easy terrain. I think, in retrospect, we could have made it all the way up to the trailhead but can't be sure since we didn't attempt it.

Your earlier post said you were driving an Outback. Circling back to my original post, would the additional length and width of a full size, crew cab, short box, 1/2 ton be any issue getting to the parking spot just past the mill?

Phill the Thrill wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 8:24 pm

Cygnus X1 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:56 pm

rmcpherson wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:55 pm Update on the road conditions after driving it last Thursday. We took the road less spicy, and it made all the difference. 5781029F-CEC8-4172-8E68-1DB98AA38AAE_1_105_c.jpeg

It took a little over an hour to get to the Crystal parking area from the town of Marble. There were large puddles on the roadway up to 6" deep but overall the terrain was fairly manageable. The hike to the Lead King Basin trailhead from the parking area only took about half an hour on fairly easy terrain. I think, in retrospect, we could have made it all the way up to the trailhead but can't be sure since we didn't attempt it.

Your earlier post said you were driving an Outback. Circling back to my original post, would the additional length and width of a full size, crew cab, short box, 1/2 ton be any issue getting to the parking spot just past the mill?

Cygnus, you'll be fine in your truck. It's the "Upper Road" that would potentially present some problems for you IMO. Also, just to clarify, you not only pass Crystal Mill but drive through Crystal City and another 1/2 mile or so before you reach the "parking area".