Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CRESTED BUTTE & GUNNISON
This region of Colorado's southwest is a playground for outdoorsy types, with skiing dom-
inating in the winter and hiking, rafting and mountain biking popular in summer. Fly-fish-
ing is another activity that draws both locals and domestic tourists in waders to the icy wa-
ters of the great Gunnison River. Others come to hunt, and antlers and trophy mounts are a
popular decorative feature in homes and ranch houses.
The Gunnison River, whose headwaters gather near Crested Butte, 8867ft above sea
level, has carved its way through this incredible terrain that shifts from alpine forests to
desert-scape tablelands. The physical drama of the Black Canyon of Gunnison National
Park is breathtaking - one of the world's longest, narrowest and deepest gorges. The park
brings hikers, campers and a steady stream of day-trippers all trying to squeeze the magni-
ficent panorama into a photo frame.
Hwy 50 and the roads around the Gunnison region carry lots of RVs, many bigger than
school buses, with Jeeps, boats or trailers of all-terrain quad bikes in tow behind. There are
also monster SUVs towing enormous caravans, and the region is a popular touring route for
thundering gangs of Harley-Davidson riders. This, after all, is recreation country - some of
the greatest of the great outdoors.
Getting There & Around
Avis
(
970-641-0263;
www.avis.com
; 711 W Rio Grande Ave, Gunnison;
9am-5pm)
Gunnison County Airport
( 970-641-2304)
Gunnison airport is serviced by American Airlines,
Delta and United. Avis, Budget and Hertz rental cars are represented at the airport.
Hertz
( 970-641-2881;
www.hertz.com
; 711 W Rio Grande Ave, Gunnison; 9am-5pm)
Dolly's Mountain Shuttle
( 970-349-2620, cell 970-209-9757;
www.crestedbutteshuttle.com
; to Crested Butte from
$115; )
Dolly's runs private groups of up to 10 around the Gunnison Valley, to the ski
fields and mountain-bike trailheads.
Mountain Express
(Gunnison Valley RTA; 970-349-5616;
www.gunnisonvalleyrta.org
;
6:30am-8pm)
The
Gunnison Valley RTA runs the free Mountain Express between Gunnison and the Crested
Butte mountain top.
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