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Recession forces Marble Closure, Skiing access shut down | Marble Backcountry, CO United States | 01/28/10, by powderjunky

Sad news pours from the rumor facet as we roll into Carbondale, Colorado. Unfortunately the rumors are true. Aspen valley backcountry skiers will have a lot tougher time accessing their favorite backcountry destination as the Marble Access Road will be shutting down, leaving a strenuous 5+ mile approach to common areas like Marble Peak and Mount Justice. The road is a steep unmaintained county road that Colorado Stone Quarries, which operates the Yule Marble Quarry, keeps open in the winter to continue mining during the snowy months. This area has seen lots of recent use by backcountry skiers due to the amazing access the open road provides. Parking was becoming an issue, but is in no way involved in the reason for the shut down. The road is slated to reopen when the snow melts, which could be April or June, depending on the snow pack.

The road, which is county owned, will shut down officially on  Friday, January 29, 2010. Kimberly Perrin, administrative manger for Colorado Stone Quarries, said the operating costs were too high during this time of economic downfall. "It's not just maintaining the roads, it's heating the quarry, only having one work crew, water pipes freezing, and having an expensive special ventilation system, all adds to the costs of mining in the winter," Perrin said.

The county, will not help Colorado Stone Quarries  It is an official unmaintained road and the county is unwilling to cooperate.

The road will be closed at the gate by the bridge, but winter recreationalists are welcome to travel on foot or machine beyond the closure at their own risk. The road follows many avalanche paths and with all the recent snowfall will likely be un-drivable very soon. The best options for future access to this backcountry mecca is by snowmobile, leg power, buying a big ass truck and plowing it yourself, or buying lots of marble to support the mining operation.

While this good thing has had to come to an end, the local backcountry skiing community is grateful for the years of easy access to such an amazing place.