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Divide Ranger District Rio Grande National Forest This is a short (2.5 miles) scenic primitive road that leads to Crystal Lake. It is a fairly popular side trip off the main Bristol Head Peak Road 532. Crystal Lake Road 532a joins the Bristol Head Peak Road approximately 7 miles east from where the Bristol Head Peak Road begins (across Colorado Highway 149 from Rito Hondo/Continental Reservoir Road 513). At the junction, the Crystal Lake Road continues straight ahead (northeast) just before the Boulder Creek crossing where the main Bristol Head Peak Road turns to the south. The Crystal Lake Road usually poses no access problems unless patches of snow remain on its steeper short stretches. However, the first part of the Bristol Head Peak Road, which serves as access, is extremely steep, rocky, and rough. Many of the rocks are large, making navigation difficult due to poor-to-nonexistent tread and lack of clearance. Substantial driving skill is required to successfully negotiate this section of road without damaging your vehicle. 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. Over the next 0.9 mile, the road gains 240 feet in elevation then drops 200 feet in a little over 0.1 mile where it crosses a fork of Shallow Creek. Four-wheel drive pickups with long beds may have some problems negotiating a few of the short, steep sections with tight turns. This is particularly true when the road is dry causing a "spinout" effect on the rocky roadbed. The final 0.9 mile of road climbs approximately 250 feet to Crystal Lake. The route travels through spruce-fir stands and small subalpine parks to the lake, which sits on a small open flat. This five-acre lake usually provides fair to good catches of rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout to the angler. The lake is subject to winter kill. However, the Colorado Division of Wildlife periodically stocks the lake. Directions from Creede, Colorado: 27.1 miles west on Colorado Highway 149. Turn east (right) onto Bristol Head Peak Road #532 (4-wheel drive) across from Rito Hondo/ Continental Reservoir Road #513. Road passes through a wire gate in the fence, off the east side of Colorado Highway 149, and is marked at the fence with a white arrow. Travel approximately 7 miles east on Bristol Head Peak Road #532 to where the road forks. Go straight (northeast) at the junction with Bristol Head Peak Road #532 which turns to the right (south). Follow the road 2.5 miles to Crystal Lake. Seasonal Information: Normally Accessible: Late June-Early July through September .
