2021-12-03 12:25:39
The San Juan Mountains encompass rolling hills of ranch country, plunging canyons and peaks so jagged it seems they were carved yesterday. Find these scenes and more in Montrose, Ouray, Ridgway and Telluride. Day 1 The Gunnison River took thousands of years to carve Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose. For a look at its wonders, start at the Elk Creek Visitor Center on Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water. Winds captured by buttes make for prime sailing conditions, anglers find deep water filled with kokanee salmon and mackinaw trout, and boaters roam more than 41,000 acres. On the Morrow Point Boat Tour, float on a pontoon to the foot of the cliffs. Landlubbers stick to the 4-mile Curecanti Creek Trail, which passes through forests as it drops below the canyon’s rim. In the park itself, the astonishingly steep walls expose black metamorphic rock and are so sheer that hiking into the canyon is an ambitious undertaking. Instead, take a relatively flat walk from the South Rim Visitor Center. Peer across the chasm to Colorado’s tallest cliff, Painted Wall. As a basecamp for exploring the area, Montrose is a gateway to biking, hiking, rafting, hunting and fishing. You’ll be charmed by the town’s Old West feel yet surprised by modern eateries, breweries and shops. Visit the Water Sports Park on the Uncompahgre River for kayaking, tubing and swimming. West of Montrose, explore the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area’s red-rock canyons. In town, the Ute Indian Museum connects the past with contemporary Ute life and culture, and the Museum of the Mountain West offers an authentic peek at the Wild West. Day 2 Ouray sits in a narrow valley with the towering San Juan Mountains — one reason it’s considered ground zero for Jeep touring. An extensive and scenic network of old mining roads is another. Many Victorian-era structures have been restored to retain the town’s original charm. Check out nearby Ridgway Area Trails’ 40 miles of mountain-bike and hiking trails. Ouray’s Western Slope Rides shuttles get you to a hiking trailhead, backcountry mountain biking, ice-climbing expeditions and more. Stop first to pick up picnic provisions at the locally focused Ouray Meat & Cheese Market. In the winter, the town lives up to its Ice-Climbing Capital nickname when the Ouray Ice Park opens more than 200 routes to spiked adventurers. Summer climbers stop for Basecamp Bouldering, a drop-in climbing gym with programs for all ages. Afterward, enjoy a restorative experience in the enormous Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Ouray is also a stop along the Colorado Spirits Trail and SW Colorado Crafted Beverages Tour, so watch for locally distilled spirits and brews. Stop at True Grit Cafe in Ridgway, built to honor the original “True Grit” movie starring John Wayne, filmed here in 1969, for a burger. Ridgway is a Certified Colorado Creative District and a stop along the Colorado Creative Corridor, home to artisans, fests, studios, fiber-arts makers, galleries and concerts. Weehawken Creative Arts has classes and workshops in dance, photography, fine arts and more. The town is a jumping-off point to splendid views of Mount Sneffels and the Dallas Divide — one of our most photographed alpine scenes. Star seekers will want to know the town is an International Dark-Sky Community. It’s also homebase to the San Juan Hut System, which connects epic mountain biking, hiking and backcountry skiing/snowshoeing trails with a network of isolated mountain huts. Day 3 It’s easy to fall for Telluride’s Victorian-era homes and beautiful box canyon. Millennia after the Ute Indians settled in the craggy San Juans, prospectors struck gold and silver here. By 1896, the town had 10,000 residents and its very own hospital — now the beautifully renovated Telluride Historical Museum. Start here for an overview of Telluride’s evolution from gritty mining town to 1970s hippie haven to ski hub. Then mosey 12 blocks along Colorado Avenue, which comprise a National Historic Landmark District. Telluride truly celebrates local, where all shops, restaurants and hotels are independently owned and Colorado minded. And there’s no need for a car — between the Galloping Goose bus in town and the gondola to Mountain Village, getting around is a snap! Pick up the serene River Trail, which turns into the Idarado Legacy Trail at the town park. In the summer, the park bustles with music festivals. From here, take the 2.5-mile path to the base of Bridal Veil Falls — Colorado’s highest free-falling waterfall. Or get a bird’s-eye view of the densely forested San Miguel River Valley during a ride on the gondola, a 13-minute journey from downtown to Mountain Village’s shops, restaurants and activities, including Canopy Adventure Tours, with guided ziplining and rappelling. Back downtown, see why Telluride is one of the top creative districts at the Sheridan Opera House for a concert or ski film. The ornate theater was once a colorful and airy venue for men who spent their days mining underground. Go gallery to gallery on the Telluride Art Walk. Local art shops stay open late and offer free refreshments on first Thursdays of most months, or you can pick up a self-guided map anytime. You’ll also find plenty of excellent places for a meal in this foodie-friendly enclave. Still have steam left? Telluride Sleighs and Wagons offers horse-drawn sleighs year-round to the historic Aldasoro family ranch, where a gourmet dinner is served. Pop into the visitor center for more tips on exploring the area. Stay & Play Options Montrose, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride (page 187) SUMMER FUN AT SKI RESORTS UP THE FREE GONDOLA TO MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, you’ll find the Telluride Adventure Center, with activities including a canopy tour, bike park, bungee trampoline and more. IN WINTER, ENTRY TO BLACK CANYON IS FREE AND RANGERS LEAD NIGHT-SKY AND SNOWSHOE TOURS (SNOWSHOES PROVIDED). ALL FOUR TOWNS OFFER HISTORICAL, SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS. ADVENTURE PACKAGES RULE IN THIS PART OF THE STATE, FROM MOUNTAINEERING TO RAFTING, OFF-ROADING, BACKPACKING, HELISKIING, SNOWMOBILING, FLY-FISHING AND BEYOND. WINTER FUN TELLURIDE SKI RESORT BOASTS MOUNTAINS OF FUN, while downtown’s shops and cafes buzz with après skiers, shoppers and a festive atmosphere. The region’s San Juan Mountains lure folks out of town for world-class snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
©Colorado. View All Articles.