Category Archive

With a length of 48 miles, from the dam Blue Mesa Reservoir downstream to the middle of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, the Black Canyon provides experienced climbers a tight narrow canyon with some of the tallest vertical wall climbing in Western Colorado. The Painted Wall, at 2,500 feet is the tallest vertical wall in the state of Colorado. …

The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, at 63 miles in length, travels northwest across the top of the Mesa providing the only paved access to fishing streams and lakes. The Mesa hosts a total of seven trout species. Wildlife includes moose, black bearm elk, mule deer, marmonts and a large variety of rodents. Summer months provide the lions share of activity, …

Rising about 800 feet above the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River, Needle Rock stands at an elevation of 7,874 feet.   In Crawford look for the US Post Office (Highway 92), and take Dogwood Avenue (which turns into Needle Rock Road) for 3.5 miles to the parking area below Needle Rock. Routes: North Face: T 5.6 R Unsorted Route: Tin …

The Grand Mesa, located about 40 miles east of Grand Junction and 35 miles northwest of Montrose boasts over 300 lakes and streams in it’s 500 square miles area. This is the second Fish the Grand Mesa Guide. Cobbet Lake-elevation 10,271 feet Fish: Rainbow Trout Access: Easy Boating: Non-motorized           Deep Ward Lake– elevation 10,108 feet …

Below the Crystal Dam, the River enters the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, continuing west entering into The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Beyond the City of Delta, the Gunnison flows through the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area continuing on to where it flows into the Colorado River at Grand Junction.   Crystal Dam to Chukar Trail: Season: Spring-Summer …

North Rim Hiking: Both the South Rim and North Rim offer two types of hiking trails, inner canyon (which require planning and permitting) and rim top trails. The inner canyon permit is used by those hikers who travel on or off established trails, all river use, and rock climbers. Permits are free, and can be picked up at the Visitor …

Access to the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area for Mountain Biking in the “Flat Top Peach Valley Recreation Area” is found north-east of Montrose. Turn east from Highway 50 north of Montrose, on Falcon Road for three miles to the end of the pavement and on to Peach Valley Road. At the Falcon Road intersection with Highway 50, there is …

The Paonia Ranger District manages National Forest with 478,000 total acres which includes 244,000 acres designated as Wilderness. The District has three developed campgrounds, with dispersed camping allowed in the National Forest and Wilderness Areas. Paonia District has 277 miles of hiking and horseback trails, 400 miles of roads (with some just open to ATV use and others for 4-wheel …

The Grand Mesa, located just 35 miles northwest of Montrose, and a prominent landmark from both Grand Junction and Delta, is the worlds largest flat-topped mountain. With over 300 lakes and trout streams, this mesa provides multiple opportunities for fishing. The Western Colorado Outdoors guide to fishing on Grand Mesa will consist of three separate posts, due to the sheer …

Sweitzer Lake State Park is located just south of Delta on Highway 50. This small gem is a day use park, with the main attraction being water sports and picnicking. Activities: boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming and picnic areas. Note: Fishing is by catch and release, as fish from the lake contain selenium and can not be eaten. Fish: common …