Yule Creek, in the Raggeds Wilderness south of Marble, Colorado, is one of my favorite hikes.
A relatively steep trail for the first mile, it moderates just before reaching an overlook above Thompson Flats. The view there is one of the best you'll find.
The trail then descends a few hundred feet to cross the creek, and is quite easy to hike as it works its way up toward Yule Pass. Many rapids and waterfalls along the way make it a very scenic hike with lots of photo opportunities
I had heard there was a trail from the quarry up to Thompson Flats, and so on our descent, we stayed on the east side of the creek and followed an easy trail down. We didn't notice the crossing at first, and found ourselves bushwhacking around the willows and stinging nettle until we returned and crossed over to the west side for the rest of the descent. When we reached the quarry, I recognized the area from taking visitors there. Since I was last in the area, however, a private homeowner erected a barricade which we had to scale to get back on the quarry road and down to the car.
