The Western Slope Lifestyle

What to do in Delta, Grand Junction, Gunnison and Montrose

Chris Duthie

Think you’ve fully witnessed the red-rock canyons, tunnels, sheer-wall cliffs and gravity defying boulders of Grand Junction’s Colorado National Monument? Try it at dawn (pictured above). This 32-square-mile region of quiet, wild country has an otherworldly feel that is seldom more compelling than when the rising sun embraces the monument’s wind- and water-sculpted Window Rock, Pipe Organ, Kissing Couple, Praying Hands or Sentinel Spire formations.

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SO MANY CHOICES

SPEAK LOUDER: The 48-mile-long Black Canyon of the Gunnison near Montrose plunges 2,722 feet to a roaring, raging river, a must-see experience that reminds every visitor that Mother Nature, unleashed, is both all-powerful and awe-inspiring.

GRAND IT IS: Grand Junction is celebrating the just-completed, $9.65 million renovation and restoration of the historic Avalon Theatre. Built in 1923, the 1,090-seat performing arts landmark has been a favored venue for performers from AlJolson and John Philip Sousa to Pat Benatar, Lyle Lovett and the Grand Junction Symphony.

FISHING TIME: Fishing and golf go hand-in-glove in Gunnison—located an hour east of Montrose—where you’ll be treated like family at the impeccably maintained Dos Rios Golf Club. Afterwards, cast for trophy trout on the Gunnison River and nearby Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest manmade lake in Colorado.

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WHAT TO DO

FREE RIDERS: Amongst the seemingly barren wastelands of the 36,000-acre Book Cliffs mountain range roams a wild horse herd that has swelled to more than 120 feral mustangs. Experience this extraordinary scene up close via Rimrock Adventures out of Fruita, which offers guided horseback excursions you’ll want to relive over and over.

PEDAL IT, BABY: Just completed, the tri-city Riverfront Trail System has transformed the region with 28 miles of manicured pathways—ideal for bikers, skaters, walkers and runners who enjoy unfettered access to Palisade, Fruita, downtown Grand Junction and the resplendent wetlands and groves of the Colorado and Gunnison river deltas.

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IN THE KNOW

IT’S A FEAST-ABLE: Downtown Grand Junction increasingly is becoming a hip destination for restaurants and eateries. Among the area’s favorite lunch spots is Café Sol, which is regaled for using locally sourced organic veggies in its signature salads, smoothies, soups and paninis.

PRETTY FLY: Named for the Uncompahgre Plateau’s highest summit, Montrose’s Horsefly Brewing Company rocks Main Street with its eight small-batch brews (try the Tabano Red), seasonal ales and a wide-ranging pub menu (including 10 wing sauces). Horsefly’s fun-loving vibe spills onto the patio all summer long.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: Grand Valley’s wine country now brags 22 wineries, including just-opened Red Fox Cellars, which offers a number of hard ciders and fruit wines, many of which are matured in whiskey and bourbon barrels. (Ask about the label’s increasingly popular Bourbon Barrel Merlot.) “Ride your bike there and all around Colorado Wine Country,” said resident Mystalynn Meyeraan, “but resist sampling too much of the hard cider or you’ll have to call a taxi!”

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THE ALE HOUSE
Grand Junction
970-242-7ALE
alehousegj.com

IL BISTRO ITALIANO
Grand Junction
970-243-8622
ilbistroitaliano.com

GRAND JUNCTION VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU
970-244-1480
visitgrandjunction.com

HORSEFLY BREWING CO.
Montrose
970-249-6889
horseflybrewing.com

LOS ALTOS BED & BREAKFAST
Grand Junction
970-256-0964
losaltosgrandjunction.com

RED CANYON GRILLE
Grand Junction
970-243-7736
redlandsmesa.com

BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
Montrose
970-641-2337
nps.gov/blca

CREEKSIDE RESTAURANT
Montrose
970-249-5915
creeksidecobblecreek.com

REMINGTON’S
Montrose
970-252-1119
montrosebridges.com

RELATED LINKS

Fore! in the Four Corners

Durango’s Wild Flowers and Alpine Waters

Grand Junction and Montrose: Activities, Restaurants and Wineries

Crank Up the Adventure in Grand County!

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