COME TO LIFE / Must-See Colorado Towns MUST-SEE COLORADO TOWNS: GUNNISON & CRESTED BUTTE DAY 1 COLORADO 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. 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 with stars. 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. And the Black Canyon was designated an International Dark Sky Park for its exceptional opportunity to enjoy the night sky without light pollution. 1 7 WINTER FUN Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Monarch Mountain Ski and Snow-board Area 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 snowmobil-ing trails, ice fishing, tubing and dog sledding, not to mention extensive fat-bike grooming found through-out the valley. Start west of Gunnison, where the valley drops away into the Curecanti National Recreation Area (2) , Blue Mesa Reservoir (4) and Black Canyon of the Gunni-son National Park . In the summer, the reservoir — Colorado’s largest body of water — is full of canoes, sailboats, pontoon and motor boats, and people water-skiing, fishing and even parasailing in the refreshing oasis. Among Gunnison’s newest attractions is a manmade whitewater park on the Gunnison River . 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. Head to Gunnison to wander its easy downtown. Pop into boutiques or take in the Pioneer Museum ’s mineral 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 2 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Almont (page 188), Crested Butte (page 193), Gunnison (page 198) CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT; CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, LAURENCE PARENT; BLUE MESA RESERVOIR, MATT BURT; SNODGRASS TRAIL NEAR CRESTED BUTTE, MATT BURT. 3 4 QUICK TIP 164 / 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 week in September. COLORADO.COM
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 164
