Nov 16

Quarry Road Information — Winter 2025-2026 (steel stakes in the safety turnouts, etc.)

Steel stakes on a Quarry Road safety turnout.

Steel stakes on a Quarry Road safety turnout.


This winter looks to be business as usual with the Marble Quarry Road 3C — with one glaring exception. For reasons we’re not clear on, a person we assume to be a land owner has placed steel fence stakes in a number of the one-lane road’s safety turnouts. It’s unknown how this will affect public safety, as with snow plowing and collision avoidance (not to mention summer cyclists at risk of impalement).

According to the USFS, the road right of way is 60 feet wide (not to mention that the entire road, including turnouts, is most likely a prescriptive easement due to years of public use). It appears some of the steel stakes encroach on the 60-foot right of way. We’re watching this situation and will report back. More road info here, including a USFS document that clarifies the legal road right-of-way ROI.

Jan 17

Winter 2024-2025 — Marble is officially a ski town

Raspberry Ridge Cafe and Inn

Raspberry Ridge Cafe and Inn

Marble has become a ski town. Every ski town needs a cafe. As you enter the village, on your right, the Raspberry Ridge Cafe & Inn exist for your needs of both culinary and accommodational nature. Please drop by!

This winter, 2024-2025, is proving to be one of lesser import than previous seasons of snorkel powder. Per the whims of the gods, we’ve missed out on the core precip from several otherwise productive storms. While all the while, a thinner than average snowpack has developed the type of avalanche-prone layering we depend on our normally heavy snows to (at least somewhat) mitigate. Skiers have been smart — overall they’ve been avoiding the more dangerous lines. But when patience has reached the breaking point, mistakes may be made. Be careful.

The quarry continues to maintain the road, and they’re doing a good job (THANKS). That said, we’ve noticed the parking is not as reliably plowed as in the past. Bring a snow shovel, so you’re not stuck with your teaspoon rescue shovel while opening a parking slot. As always, it’s mandatory AWD or 4×4 with snow tires.

Have a good season!

The Raspberry Ridge Cafe & Inn
5580 Co Rd 3, Marble, CO 81623
(970) 340-2765

Jan 29

Winter 2022-2023

Hello folks,
This site has been somewhat dormant, apologies for that. Our content is still useful for the backstory info (see menus). We intend to ramp up our reporting as the winter progresses, and into summer.

As for the state of things, not much has changed. The miners are doing a good job keeping the road open. Please use only 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles, with snow tires, and park with care.

Avalanche safety: Per the norm, Marble backcountry skiers are ranging ever farther and wider, as is the progression each season. For newcomers, this means you’ll find uphill and downhill tracks in places that may slide more frequently than the old tried-and-true routes. Be conservative.

Nov 17

Quarry Road Information – Winter 2021-2022

Cripple Creek Backcountry hosted a Yule Stone Quarry information night a few weeks ago. As in the past, the quarry representatives were friendly, and understanding of the need for public parking and road use. The only change from last winter is they’ve installed signs with parking instructions. How these will survive through a big winter is an open question. In any case, the gist of it is 1) Park perpendicular to the road (nose or rear in) when plowed areas allow — this will greatly increase available parking. 2) Know that the stone-haul truck is wide, so leave plenty of available roadway however you park. If you’re unfamiliar with the width of the stone truck, match how other users are parked if it appears they’ve left plenty of leeway, don’t encroach on the road any more than they do.

If you block the road, you may be towed or ticketed, or both.

When you’re driving the road, remember that the stone truck has the right-of-way, and takes the inside line. Memorize turn-outs as you drive, in case you need to back up to the nearest.

During times when avalanches may threaten the road (nearly every storm after the snowpack gets thicker, usually around late December), the gate may be swung shut and unlocked while the machinery operators and avalanche consultants work on opening the road. Please do not drive the road if the gate is swung shut. Wait at the gate. Likewise, in the event of a safety issue on the road, the county sheriff can declare the road to be closed. In that event the gate may be locked, and-or a deputy stationed at the gate.

Note that the Quarry operates their water pumping system even when production is idled. This can entail road upkeep, yet it’s possible you’ll find the road unplowed.

What to do if the road isn’t plowed? It’s a 2.7 mile uphill slog to the Marble Peak trailhead. Fit, motivated skiers might not mind the walk, but it’s a bit soul crushing if you’re used to parking at the start of the real skiing. It’s legal to use a snowmobile if the road is not plowed (and quasi-legal otherwise). Driving or otherwise, know the road crosses through numerous avalanche paths.

For more about Quarry Road, please see our FAQ.