COME TO LIFE / Gunnison, Crested Butte MUST-SEE MOUNTAIN TOWNS T WINTER FUN Crested Butte Mountain Re-sort and Monarch Mountain 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 snowmobiling trails, ice fishing, tubing and dog sledding, not to mention extensive fat-bike grooming found through-out the valley. COLORADO MOUNTAINS & MESAS 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. DAY 1 Start west of Gunnison at the Curecanti National Recreation Area , Blue Mesa Reservoir (2) and Black Canyon of the Gun-nison National Park . In summer, the reservoir — Colorado’s largest body of water — is full of canoes, sailboats, pontoon and motor boats, and people water skiing, fishing and parasailing in the refreshing oasis. Among Gunnison’s newest attractions is a manmade whitewater park on the Gunnison River (4) . 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. Another place outdoors lovers flock to is Hartman Rocks Recre-ation Area . Just outside town, it’s a paradise of desert mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, trail running and (in the winter) Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Free maps of all the area’s trails can be found in the CBGTrails app . Wander Gunnison’s easy down-town. Pop into boutiques or take in the Pioneer Museum ’s mineral 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. 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. Black Canyon is a designated International Dark-Sky Park for its exceptional opportunity to enjoy the night sky without light pollution. 1 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 crown and paintbrush from June through early September. Hike the 3.4-mile Upper Loop Trail and ogle 2 Almont (page 192), Crested Butte (page 195), Gunnison (page 200) CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: CRESTED BUTTE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, LYDIA STERN; BLUE MESA RESERVOIR, MATT BURT; GUNNISON RIVER WHITEWATER PARK, MATT BURT; WILDFLOWERS NEAR CRESTED BUTTE, MILES/LISA SEAMAN; CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS 3 4 QUICK TIP 150 / 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 weeks in September. 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 150
