2019-12-09 02:09:39
If Gunnison is the quintessential Western rodeo town, then Crested Butte is its free-spirited mountain neighbor. Despite their different vibes and activities, both offer unparalleled adventures and spectacular scenery. DAY 1 Start west of Gunnison at the Curecanti National Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir (2) and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In summer, the reservoir — Colorado’s largest body of water — is full of canoes, sailboats, pontoon and motor boats, and people water skiing, fishing and parasailing in the refreshing oasis. Among Gunnison’s newest attractions is a manmade whitewater park on the Gunnison River (4). The park stretches several hundred feet, with various rock structures providing a playground for recreational 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. Free maps of all the area’s trails can be found in 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. The Double Shot Cyclery is a delightful combo bike shop and coffee house. Around here, the night sky twinkles. View them up close at the Gunnison Valley Observatory. The state’s largest research-quality telescope is open Friday and Saturday nights mid-June through mid-September. Black Canyon is a designated International Dark-Sky Park for its exceptional opportunity to enjoy the night sky without light pollution. DAY 2 Drive 30 miles north of Gunnison’s scrubby mesas to the granite peaks of Crested Butte, known as an adventure-sports capital and the Wildflower Capital of Colorado (3). The area is awash in lupine, columbine, queen’s crown and paintbrush from June through early September. Hike the 3.4-mile Upper Loop Trail and ogle the fields of purple, gold and fuchsia. Or stick around town for July’s Wildflower Festival — complete with garden tours, photography workshops and hikes. White-knuckle adventures await you on granite-topped 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 at the base of the mountain. Continue the adventure with a raft trip down the Taylor River. Fishing, wildflower hikes and stand-up paddleboarding are top activities at Lake Irwin. These are also Gold Medal fishing waters. Download the CBGTrails App to find free maps of all the hiking, biking and 4-wheeling throughout Gunnison County. Ready for some downtime? Crested Butte’s blocks of Victorian-era buildings form one of the country’s most distinctive towns (5). Nearly every summer weekend features a gathering of some sort — the Wildflower Festival, Tour de Forks culinary festival and Crested Butte Music Festival are a few. Head to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum to see how the area’s past residents lived. Vintage bikes and photos lend a snapshot of this mountain-bike-loving community. Finally, return to Mount Crested Butte for a free Wednesday-night concert or relax and take in a play, dance exhibition or concert at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts (1), 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. WINTER FUN Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Monarch Mountain offer amazing skiing and snowboarding. There are also peaceful snowshoe/cross-country ski treks (stop into the Backcountry Bistro at the Crested Butte Nordic Center for mimosas, coffee and baked goods), miles and miles of snowmobiling trails, ice fishing, tubing and dog sledding, not to mention extensive fat-bike grooming found throughout the valley. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Almont (page 192), Crested Butte (page 195), Gunnison (page 200) QUICK TIP The wildflowers are usually at their peak around the second and third week in July, and fall foliage is typically at its peak around the second and third weeks in September.
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