Summer Escape to Gunnison - A grand little canyon and a big cold beer: Heaven is vertical

by Kyle Wagner, Denver Post

YOU KNOW YOU'VE ESCAPED TO GUNNISON WHEN...you take an ice-cold glug of the malty, refreshing, slightly sweet Dunkel Weizen, a summer-only offering from Gunnison Brewery in town (138 North Main St., 970-641-2739, gunnisonbrewery.com). It goes down so smoothly after a hard day out in the heat on the river or a trail. You can drink it in the uber-friendly pub or get a jug of it to go. 

Fishing

The Blue Mesa Reservoir (877-258-6372, bluemesares.com) is the largest body of water in the state, a scenic, mesa-lined fish bowl with 96 miles of shoreline just waiting for you to drop a line in to snag brown, rainbow, lake and brook trout - not to mention it's the largest kokanee salmon fishery in the country. You can buy fishing licenses at the Elk Fork and Lake Creek marinas, and there are guide services and boat rentals there, as well.

Trails

Western Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a national treasure. If you want to get a look at the Gunnison River but don't want to stray too far from your car, the unpaved East Portal Road (nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/drives.htm) is the way to go. Be prepared for hairpin turns and a 16 percent grade drop over about 5 miles. You can also peek down into the canyon from the 7-mile South Rim Road, or the more remote but more impressive North Rim Road, which has overlooks into the sections of the Black Canyon that give the site its name: the dramatically vertical, tight canyon walls that let in little light.

Water Sport

For an up-close look at the Black Canyon, try a boat tour with Morrow Point tours (nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/boattour), which runs 42-passenger pontoon boats along a section of the river, with sights that include a waterfall and the Curecanti Needle, in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Cost is $16 adult, $8 12 and under.

Dining

The name is apt for Garlic Mike's (2674 Colorado 135, 970-641-2493), which does wonderful things with garlic, from simple dishes such as aglio e olioto more elaborate fare like filet mignon with artichoke hearts.

Lodging

Rockey River Resort is right on the Gunnison River (4359 County Road 10, 970-641-0174), has comfy cabins with kitchens, and RV and tent sites. Fish right there too. Rates: $30 (RV) and $58-$92 (cabins).