Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
round; )
and
Lake Fork
( 970-641-2337;
www.nps.gov/cure
; US Hwy 50; per night $12 plus $3 booking fee;
year round)
, are developed, with showers and flush toilets, while others are more basic.
For hikers there are also small campgrounds at the end of the Curecanti Creek Trail (2
miles) and Hermit's Rest Trail (3 miles). The latter descends 1800ft, so be prepared for a
steep climb back out.
Information
There are information centers at Cimarron and Lake Fork, which only operate from late
May to late September.
Elk Creek Visitor Center
( 970-641-2337, ext 205;
www.nps.gov/cure
; 102 Elk Creek; 8am-6pm summer,
8am-4:30pm rest of yr)
Part of the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, the Elk Creek vis-
itor center is the main office serving the Curecanti National Recreation Area and offers to-
pographic maps and exhibits describing the area's cultural and natural history. It's on US
50, 6 miles west of the junction with Hwy 149 to Lake City.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Gunnison
POP 5886 / ELEV 7703FT
Long ago Ute tribes hunted on the plains surrounding the present-day town of Gunnison
in summer. Now this western town - nondescript and functional for the most part - is
home to the handsome campus of Western State College of Colorado, which opened in
1911. The giant W on the hill southeast of town is a reference to the college. However, a
walk through the older residential neighborhoods will reveal numerous Victorians and ma-
sonry homes.
Few people stop in Gunnison, other than to restock and refuel, but it can be a good base
for the outdoor activities that abound. In winter, a free shuttle bus plies between Gunnison
and Crested Butte continuously each day, and staying off the mountain can make skiing
vacations a little less expensive.
Sleeping
Wanderlust Hostel
HOSTEL
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