Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide - Grand Junction Adventure Guide
4 Seasons of Outdoor Pursuits
2022-03-14 07:27:42
With our diverse landscapes and ample wide-open space, epic adventure is a year-round pursuit in western Colorado. Here’s your season-by-season guide to getting the most out of Grand Junction’s great outdoors — no matter what time of year you plan to visit.
FALL
Hiking
There are countless places to catch a glimpse of the brilliant fall colors on the Grand Mesa, but it’s hard to top the 11-mile Crag Crest Trail — literally. High atop the mesa at a dizzying 11,170 feet, Crag Crest gives you a bird’s-eye view of mountainsides gilded with shimmering aspens. Find more hiking trails on page 8 and at VisitGrandJunction.com/HikingTrails.
Hunting
The Grand Junction area is a mecca for big game and big birds, starting at the Uncompahgre Plateau all the way to the White River and Gunnison National Forests. Hunting season for elk, pronghorn, deer, moose, desert bighorn sheep and other game runs from September through mid-November, while winter brings scores of ducks and geese to the Colorado River.
Fishing
FUN FACT: Grand Junction is named for the convergence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers — two fantastic spots for trout fishing in our crisp-yet-sunny fall weather. The high-elevation lakes and streams of the Grand Mesa are also great destinations. Learn more about hunting and fishing at VisitGrandJunction.com/HuntingFishing.
Before setting out on your hunting or fishing excursion, you’ll need to obtain the proper license from Colorado Parks and Wildlife — either online at Cpw.state.co.us, or at CPW’s local offices and license vendors around the state.
WINTER
Skiing & Snowboarding
As Snow’s Perfect State™, we don’t need to remind you that Colorado is a winter-sports wonderland, but we never tire of talking up Powderhorn Mountain Resort. The Grand Mesa resort averages 250 inches of light, dry powder each year and boasts some of the best glade skiing in the state. Powderhorn is affordable and only 45 minutes from Grand Junction.
Snowmobiling
Have a need for speed? Get your motor running on the Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail. This 120-mile route runs from Sunlight Mountain outside of Glenwood Springs to Powderhorn Mountain on the Grand Mesa, with spectacular mountain backdrops and access to an additional 180 miles of trails along the way. Don’t have a snow machine? Fret not, there are many rental shops to choose from.
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
The heavy snowfall and flat-top mountain terrain of the Grand Mesa make it a shoe-in for cross-country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing, thanks in large part to the Grand Mesa Nordic Council, which maintains 31 miles of glorious, groomed trails. Like to go off-piste? Pristine, ungroomed backcountry skiing is also available on the mesa. Find more winter activities in Grand Junction at VisitGrandJunction.com/Winter.
Follow the Locals
“The Grand Mesa, which tops out at just over 11,000 feet and is only 45 minutes from Downtown Grand Junction, is a true winter wonderland. While we like alpine skiing and cross-country skiing at Powderhorn, there is also a wealth of opportunity for snowmobiling.” — Kristen Lummis, Grand Junction native & writer(BraveSkiMom.com)
SPRING
Road & Mountain Biking
Choose between sweeping views of Rim Rock Drive at Colorado National Monument, ridgeline rides of 18 Road or the ultra-technical twists and turns of Lunch Loops — the Grand Valley is blessed with some of the best cycling in the world. Come springtime, the region plays host to a number of biking like the Grand Enduro and the Grand Junction Off-Road Mountain Bike Endurance Event.
Birding
Better bring your binoculars: The Riverfront Trail System is home to the 1.5-mile Audubon Section, just across the Colorado River from Downtown Grand Junction. Paved and perfect for hiking or biking, the trail offers delightful opportunities to spot blue heron, osprey, hawks and more. Discover more at VisitGrandJunction.com/Spring.
SUMMER
Golfing
If your idea of a great day on the links includes immaculately groomed greens and red-rock canyons rising in the distance, you’ll love playing golf in Grand Junction. Tiara Rado, Redlands Mesa (rated the No. 1 Course in Colorado by Golfweek) and Adobe Creek all afford golfers stunning vistas of Colorado National Monument, while breathtaking views of the sandstone Book Cliffs and other surrounding mountain ranges can be found at Chipeta and Lincoln Park golf courses. Learn more at VisitGrandJunction.com/Golf.
Camping
In the height of summer, temperatures stay cool on top of the Grand Mesa. Pitch your tent high above the heat at Island Lake or Ward Lake campgrounds, both at 10,000 feet and where you can enjoy wildflower hikes and top-notch lake fishing. Alternatively, the grassy, shaded Book Cliffs Campground at Highline Lake State Park in Loma is the perfect home base for all types of water recreation, including swimming, boating and bass fishing. Find more campsites at VisitGrandJunction.com/ Campsites.
Whitewater Rafting
The Colorado River runs just south of Downtown Grand Junction, but it’s the Westwater Canyon stretch — about 30 miles down the river — where the region’s most popular whitewater rafting trips commence. Connect with a local outfitter (see listings on page 42) to book an epic day on the water and learn more at VisitGrandJunction.com/Rafting.
Roam OHV
OFF-ROAD FUN
Year-Round Dirt
With hundreds of roads and trails to power your engines on, there are unlimited options to enjoy your off-highway vehicle (OHV) on, including your side-by-side, ATV, dirt bike and four-wheel drive. Many of the trails are open year-round.
Popular Trails
Access points around Grand Junction offer over 480,000 acres of public lands that are open to OHV travel. Trails in OHV areas zig-zag back and forth across the striking landscape. Bangs Canyon and Rabbit Valley Recreation Area are two popular OHV areas in Grand Junction. The Grand Mesa and North Fruita Desert also fun areas offering a labyrinth of trails.
Single Track
For avid dirt bike riders looking for single track, you will be surprised by the network of trails available in the Grand Junction area – check out Third Flats. We’ve all heard of Moab, but there is vastly more single track here. Bring your own machinery or rent from several businesses who carry a wide range of inventory.
Descend PALISADE PLUNGE
PALISADE PLUNGE
One-Of-A-Kind Descent
Plunge from the top of the Grand Mesa National Forest for 32 miles of downhill single-track adrenalin-pumping action. The Plunge trail connects the top of the Grand Mesa to the valley with 6000 feet in elevation descent through pristine public lands. Lower half of route opens: Fall 2020. Upper half of route scheduled to open: Fall 2021.
Rooted in History
The route connects a variety of trails on top of the Grand Mesa which are steeped in history. John Otto forged new paths more than a century ago. Otto was a local explorer who was Colorado National Monument’s first custodian, and was the main advocate for getting the Monument recognized as part of the National Park System.
Scenery
The single-track trail winds through alpine forests and high desert, some of which has long been unused for hundreds of years, except by 4th generation ranchers and their cattle.
Expert
Yes, you read that right! This singletrack is not for the faint of heart. There is no exit route, so once you commit, you’re all in.
Shred POWDERHORN
POWDERHORN
Cool Vibe
Colorado is known for its huge resorts and high-end mountain villages, but the smaller ski resorts continue to grow and gain considerable interest. Affordable, family-friendly, no I-70 traffic jam (just 45 minutes from Grand Junction) and a comfortable vibe is why Powderhorn continues to attract newcomers.
Powder
On average 250 inches of white fluffy snow blankets this ski resort which offers 1,600 feet of elevation gain and access to over 60 runs with 20 percent green, 50 percent blue and 30 percent black. Bear Claw, Mudslide, and Cannonball are a few favorites. From the top of the mountain, you can access an abundance of backcountry runs.
Tree Skiing
Another quality that sets Powderhorn apart is the tree skiing. Much of the resort is covered with pine trees and dense aspen groves, making for unique powder-filled runs. Some of the best tree skiing on the mountain is accessed from the West End lift.
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