Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the lodes, Lake City boasted a population of 5000 people who seemed here to stay. Set-
tlers built Greek and Gothic Revival buildings and tree-lined streets that reflected a nostal-
gia for their homes back east. Today, less than a fifth of that population remains, making
this remote town a quiet base for exploring the mountains.
Lake City is on Hwy 149 (Gunnison Ave in town), 47 miles south of the intersection
with US 50, which in turn leads east to Gunnison and west to Montrose. It lies west of the
Continental Divide at Spring Creek Pass and the giant Slumgullion landslide, which
dammed the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and formed Lake San Cristobal south of
town. To the west rises Uncompahgre Peak and four others peaks over 14,000ft, creating a
barrier between Lake City and Ouray. This wall of mountains is crossed only by the USFS
Alpine Loop Byway, which requires 4WD vehicles or a mountain bike and a strong pair
of legs. From Lake City it's 50 miles south on Hwy 149 to Creede.
Activities
A full-service outfitter and a godsend in Lake City,
Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop
(
970-944-2526;
www.lakecitysportsman.com
; 238 S Gunnison Ave; daily rental bike/tent/car camping kit $25/15/125;
7am-7pm Jun-Aug, 9am-6pm Tue-Sat Sep-Dec, 10am-4pm Jan-Apr)
rents camping and fishing gear
and bikes, with cheaper rates after the first night. It offers tons of local information and
leads trips into the area.
Mountain Biking & Driving
a rugged route over Engineer Pass suited only for 4WDs and mountain bikes headed to
Ouray. Another part of the 4WD loop heads south along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison
River and crosses Cinnamon Pass to Silverton. Fat-tire bikes can be rented at the Sports-
man Outdoors & Fly Shop. You can rent from a fleet of cute red Jeeps at the
Pleasant View
Resort
( 970-944-2262;
www.pleasantviewresort.net
;
549 S Gunnison Ave; cabins $125-175, Jeep rentals from
$165; )
. The resort is at the south end of Lake City, on Hwy 149 near Mile 72. There's a
lot of great information about driving, biking and hiking on the byway's website.
Hiking & Backpacking
Alpine wildflowers are a prime attraction on the many summer trails in the area. West of
Lake City and north of Hensen Creek is the Big Blue Wilderness Area, featuring many