This is a short road that ATV enthusiasts love to use and it is only 2.5 miles of scenic road that leads to Crystal Lake. This road is managed by the Rio Grande National Forest and the following activities are allowed on this road: ATVing, Fishing, Four-wheeling, Motorcycling, and Mountain Biking.
Be aware you'll be sharing this road with quite a bit of traffic at some points and drive your ATV defensively. This road is rated as moderately difficult and is not a road anyone without some ATV maneuvering experience.
Crystal Lake Road is a side road off the most larger Bristol Head Peak Road #532. Sometimes you will encounter patches of snow that remain on its steeper stretches. Be advised the first part of the Bristol Head Peak Road, which serves as access to Crystal Lake Road, is extremely steep, rocky, and rough. Many of the rocks are large, making navigation difficult due to nearly non-existent tread and lack of clearance for your ATV. A great amount of ATV driving skill is required to successfully negotiate this section of road without damaging your ATV. This section of road is most definitely not for new ATV riders.
From its junction with the Bristol Head Peak Road, the Crystal Lake Road #532a climbs 260 feet in the first 0.5 mile and then flattens out for 0.1 mile, the road will begin ascending over the next 0.9 mile and you will gain 240 feet in elevation, then drop 200 feet in a little over 0.1 mile where the road crosses a fork of Shallow Creek. The roadbed is rocky and can be difficult to navigate in this area. It's very dry normally and traction is very difficult. If you are an experienced ATV rider, you will enjoy trying out your skills in this area. The final 0.9 mile of road climbs approximately 250 feet to Crystal Lake. Once you're at Crystal Lake, reward yourself and indulge in some fantastic fishing. Rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout are all available in abundance, you certainly deserve it!
