Gunnison County - Colorado Pure & Simple

Byways Magazine, pages 36 - 37

Gunnison County is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort along with snow cat skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and ice fishing.   

In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, camping, horseback riding and leaf peeping.  Distinctive restaurants, unique shops and numerous athletic competitions, festivalsand concerts also are the county's hallmark.  Lodging options range from rustic inns and guest cabins to bed-and-breakfasts and full-service resort hotels. 

Gunnison, the county seat and a town of nearly 6,000, has an authentic Western feel and is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum, and Western State College of College.  Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreational Center west of town is a year-round center for fun along with the nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area, which includes Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water.  Gunnison also is a launching point for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

Crested Butte, recognized as the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2008, is 28 miles north of Gunnison.  The Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame are conveniently based in one location and tell the story of this colorful and free-spirited town's rich mining, ranching, biking and skiing heritage.

Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area and outstanding hiking and biking trails. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) offers tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, bungee trampolines, zip lines and sleigh ride dinners. Summer and fall transition CBMR into a mecca for biking, zip lining, miniature golf, outdoor concerts and more.

In the far northwest corner of Gunnison County, located in the Upper Crystal River Valley, is majestic Marble, location of seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the famous Yule Marble Quarry.  Marble is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country.

Gunnison County also includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Powderhorn and Almont and is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

For a calendar of events, lodging packages, trail descriptions and more, call (800) 814-8893 or visit http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/packages.