Inspired to Linger / COME TO LIFE INSPIRED TO LINGER: DELTA COUNTY The West Elks Wine Trail meanders past nine wineries — keep an eye out for spots to buy fresh, organic fruit and veggies. Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford form a Certified Colorado Creative District , where artists’ studios, musicians, writers and other creative folk mix among the mesas, and Delta’s historic Main Street is lined with colorful, large-scale murals by local artists. Mountain bikers find paradise on the challenging Delta Drop Off mountain-bike trail and other trails (namely the Flowing Park Trail, Sidewinder, Smith Mountain and Jumbo Mountain), County Line trail system , Escalante Rim Loop and the North Rim Entrance to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park . For history, Fort Uncompahgre brings an 1820s fur-trading post to life and the Delta History Mu-seum ’s big draw is a collection of dinosaur discoveries from nearby Dry Mesa quarry site. Visitors can now also follow signs to the Eagle Rock Shelter Access from Hwy. 92, where evidence of the earliest humans known to inhabit North America found shelter on a ledge above the Gunnison River. If that leaves you craving a bit of nostalgia, antique shops in Delta and the old-school Tru-Vu Drive-In Theater should scratch COLORADO that itch. Other favorite spots to visit include the charming Cirque Cyclery combo juice bar/bike repair/bike rental (including e-bikes)/boutique all in one, the Creamery Arts Center , Azura Cellars and Gallery , The Living Farm Cafe , Leroux Creek Inn & Vineyards , Delicious Orchards & Big B’s Cidery and a handful of new wineries, brewpubs and cideries. Stop into the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce for maps and advice about all the area has to offer. 1 The Delta County towns of Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Hotchkiss, Orchard City and Paonia (1) are an organic-food and wine region with winery and farm tours, tastings and farm dinners, and easy access to spectacular canyon lands for hiking and biking, including Escalante Canyon and Big and Little Dominguez canyons. NEAR PAONIA, LAURENCE PARENT. For active diversions, Sweitzer Lake State Park near Delta is a relaxing place for boating and birdwatching, as are Paonia and Crawford state parks . Western Slope SUP can get you set up paddleboarding on the area’s calm waters. Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is popular with hikers, backpackers and trout fishers on the Gunnison River ’s Gold Medal waters. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Cedaredge , Crawford , Delta (page 195), Orchard City , Paonia Plan your getaway to some of Colorado’s far-off places. Dozens of itineraries steer you to special places to eat, see, do and stay, as well as ideas for supporting our state’s natural beauty. COLORADO.COM/FIELDGUIDE COLORADO.COM / 155
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2019: Page 155
