2022-12-03 09:16:36
Gunnison is the quintessential Western rodeo town. Crested Butte is its free-spirited neighbor. Both are packed with adventure and spectacular scenery. Day 1 Start west of Gunnison at Blue Mesa Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. See our largest body of water peppered with boaters, anglers and parasailers. Another place outdoors lovers flock is Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, a paradise of desert mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, trail running and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. New mountain-bike trails open every year, and more than a third of the state’s gravel-riding trails are found in this area. Wander Gunnison’s easy downtown. Stop into the main drag’s local cafes and pop into boutiques. Take in the Pioneer Museum’s mineral exhibit; then visit the new Buckel Family Wine for a nightcap. View twinkling skies up close at the Gunnison Valley Observatory, open summer Fridays and Saturdays. For more starry action, Black Canyon is an International Dark-Sky Park. Day 2 Mosey 30 miles north 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 in summer — take a hike to see fields of purple, gold and fuchsia. At Crested Butte Mountain Resort, take the chairlift to access a web of mountain-biking trails or zipline, disc golf and rock climb. Continue outdoor exploits with a raft or fishing trip on the Taylor River. Fishing, hiking and SUP-ing are top activities at Lake Irwin. Blocks of Victorian-era buildings form one of our most distinctive towns. There’s a festival of some sort nearly every summer weekend. Take in a performance at the Center for the Arts, one of the reasons the town is a Certified Colorado Creative District. 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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