A public meeting on a proposed parking lot at the base of Daniel’s Hill will be held at the Marble Fire Station from 5 to 7pm on Tuesday, Aug. 13, according to a U.S. Forest Service press release. A public comment period is open through Wednesday, Aug. 21.
The Forest Service is considering the construction of a 9 to 15 space parking lot in front of the old Gold Pan Gallery, located about one mile outside of Marble. The proposed parking lot would also be big enough to allow tractor-trailer rigs and other vehicles to turn around before reaching Forest Service roads 314 and 315, which lead to the iconic Crystal Mill and Lead King Loop respectively.
Last summer, an off-course tractor-trailer rig got stuck trying to turn around at the base of Daniel’s Hill and was stranded for two days. The Forest Service hopes to begin construction on the parking lot by Oct. 1 (estimated).
“The current condition has many issues with the public parking on private property, blocking driveways and parking along the road creating traffic flow issues and damaging resources,” reads the press release.
Besides four-wheel drive vehicles, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, motorcyclists and horse-back riders also access the Crystal Mill via Daniel’s Hill (where Gunnison County Road 3 meets Forest Service Road 315). Some four-wheel drivers continue past the Crystal Mill to Crested Butte via Schofield Pass. The parking lot would accommodate horse trailers in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter.
The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, the Town of Marble and Gunnison County convened in four sessions between December 2021 and June 2022 to discuss the use of off-highway-vehicles and related issues in the Marble area. Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands facilitated a stakeholder process and conducted a community survey. One resulting suggestion was that the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District should explore, develop and plan a parking lot. It also recommended exploring restrooms, trash cans, kiosks, landscaping and signage in the area.
The Forest Service would team up with the Gunnison County Road and Bridge department to build the parking lot. Heavy equipment would be used. County Road 3 would remain open but be flagged with intermittent closures as necessary. The area is relatively flat. Some trees would have to be removed. Forest Service boundary signs would be installed up and down the parking lot to notify visitors of the forest/private land boundaries. The proposed parking lot would not require any further Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement.
Persons commenting should include their name, address, telephone number, organization represented (if any), name of the proposal (Daniel’s Hill Parking Lot) and specific facts supporting their reasoning.
Electronic comments can be made at www.tinyurl.com/.DanielsHillParking Mailed in comments should be addressed to Kevin Warner c/o Kendra Head, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District PO Box 309 Carbondale, Colorado 81623.
For more information on this project, contact Kendra Head at 970-404-3155 or email Kendra.head@usda.gov
