2022-12-03 10:00:22
Grand Junction, Palisade and Fruita are the heart of wine country and an area “on the rise” thanks to farm stands, vineyards and excellent local-centric dining, according to Food & Wine Magazine. Day 1 The world’s largest flat-topped mountain, Grand Mesa is a 10,000-foot-high plateau topped by forest and 300 lakes. Mountain-bike trails lace the area, including the new Palisade Plunge — an advanced 32-mile high-speed singletrack ride. The Colorado River is accessible to kayaks, canoes, rafts and paddleboards. Riverfront Trail’s Monument View section runs 28 miles along the river from Fruita to Grand Junction. The Las Colonias Park section hosts events, tiny-home rentals and open space for hiking and disc golf, plus nearby Edgewater Brewery. The Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway is another way to see the area, routing through orchards, lavender gardens, vineyards, fruit stands and river views. Look up to spy the Bookcliffs, named for their shape. For dinner, the agricultural bounty doesn’t disappoint: Expect seasonal menus and notes of hyperlocally sourced peaches, cherries, plums and more — not to mention wine, beer and cocktails. Day 2 Start your morning in downtown Grand Junction, where outdoor seating lets you bask in the morning air over brunch. Those looking to get their heart rates up have options: Jet Boat Colorado’s fast Colorado River rides; Get Air Trampoline Park’s trampoline and cave climb; Imondi Wake Zone’s cable wakeboarding and aqua park; and Grand Junction Adventure’s river tours and stand-up paddleboard lessons. There’s also Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s Cameo Shooting and Education Complex, designed for competitions and as a place where kids can learn the safe use of firearms. West of Grand Junction, the stunning red-rock canyonlands of Colorado National Monument will fill your photo library. Drive the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive or take a ranger-led tour. In the summer, hook up with Western Colorado Astronomy Club to see the Milky Way above the canyons. For a tour of the world’s second largest concentration of natural rock arches, Rattlesnake Canyon within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area is a special spot for those willing to earn it — it’s reached via rough 4x4 drive and a moderate hike. Serious mountain bikers should add an extra day to explore the trails around Fruita, arguably the top network of singletrack in Colorado. Thirty-two new mountain-bike trails are under construction in the North Fruita Desert, so even more ridable terrain is coming soon. Rock crawlers can find vast and varied terrain there, too. The town is popular with ATVers who love desert trails. Numerous outfitters can set you up with maps and info on the area. In summer, cheer on the riders at the Rimrock Rodeo or jam out at Civic Center Park downtown. Winter Fun Skiers and riders see something more like the Grand Canyon than the typical alpine view at Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa. Ski Patrol Ski Along can be your personal guide there. Or explore 50 kilometers of cross-country trails, and then end your day in one of the base area’s tiny homes. Summer Fun Powderhorn is now open during the summer with scenic chairlift rides to stunning panoramic views, 5 miles of hiking trails, and 13 miles of high-speed-lift-assisted downhill mountain biking for riders of all skill levels — including rentals, lessons and an expanding trail system.
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