2021-12-03 12:54:37
If Gunnison is the quintessential Western rodeo town, then Crested Butte is its free-spirited neighbor. Both offer unparalleled choose-your-own adventures and spectacular scenery on 2,500 square miles of public land. Day 1 Start west of Gunnison at Blue Mesa Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In summer, Colorado’s largest body of water is peppered with canoes, sailboats, pontoon and motor boats, as well as people water skiing, fishing and parasailing in the refreshing oasis. For more water works, dip into the Gunnison River white water park, with rock structures providing a playground for kayakers and rafters. Fishing is also allowed in some sections. Another place outdoors lovers flock to is Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. Just outside town, it’s a paradise of desert mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, trail running and (in the winter) Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. The new Signal Peak trail system opened 28 miles of trails and loops for fresh explorations, with a trailhead that starts right in town. Find free maps of all the area’s trails on the CBGTrails app. Wander Gunnison’s easy downtown. Pop into boutiques or take in the Pioneer Museum’s mineral exhibit and awesome collection of antique cars. Stop into the main drag’s many local cafes for a bite to eat and to commune with the friendly locals. View twinkling skies up close at the Gunnison Valley Observatory. The state’s largest research-quality telescope is open Friday and Saturday nights in the summer. For more, Black Canyon is a designated International Dark-Sky Park for its exceptional opportunity to enjoy the night sky without light pollution. Stop into the new Buckel Family Wine for a nightcap. Day 2 Drive 30 miles north of Gunnison’s scrubby mesas to the granite peaks of Crested Butte, known as an adventure-sports hub and the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. The area is awash in lupine, columbine, and Indian paintbrush from June through early September. Hike the 3.4-mile Upper Loop Trail and ogle the fields of purple, gold and fuchsia. White-knuckle thrills await you at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Take the chairlift to access a web of mountain-biking trails or see how you fare ziplining, disc golfing and rock climbing at Adventure Park. Continue outdoor exploits with a raft trip down the Taylor River. Fishing, wildflower hikes and stand-up paddle-boarding are top activities at Lake Irwin. These are also Gold Medal fishing waters. Crested Butte’s blocks of Victorian-era buildings form one of the country’s most distinctive towns. Nearly every summer weekend features a festival of some sort. Head to the Crested Butte Museum to see how the area’s past residents lived. Vintage bikes and photos lend a snapshot of this mountain-bikeloving community. Finally, take in a play, dance exhibition or concert at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts, one of the reasons the town was recently named a Certified Colorado Creative District. And there’s always the option of sipping wine or beer at one of the top-notch restaurants in town. Stay & Play Options Almont (page 179), Crested Butte, Gunnison (page 184) SHOULDER SEASONS (APRIL/MAY AND OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER) ARE A TIME TO NAB GREAT DEALS ON LODGING. HOLE UP AT ONE OF A HANDFUL OF TRULY FULL-SERVICE RESORTS IN THE AREA. THEY INCLUDE LODGING, DINING, AND ADVENTURE PACKAGES RANGING FROM FISHING AND RAFTING TO BACKCOUNTRY-SKI TRIPS THAT LEAVE RIGHT FROM THE PROPERTY. WINTER FUN CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT AND MONARCH MOUNTAIN OFFER TOP-NOTCH SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING. There are also peaceful snowshoe/cross-country ski treks, miles and miles of snowmobiling trails, ice fishing and tubing, not to mention extensive fat-bike grooming found throughout the valley.
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