|
|
Grand Junction,
246 miles west of Denver on I-70, is often neglected as a
destination, even though its immediate environs abound with outdoor
opportunities, and within a fifty-mile stretch you can trace the
transition from fertile alley to full-blown desert. Another town
that sprang into life in the 1880s with the arrial of the
railroads, it now makes its liing primarily through the oil and gas
industries. Although initial impressions are bound to be unfavorable
- an unsightly sprawl of factory units and sales yards lines the
I-70 Business Loop - downtown is much better, with leafy boulevards
encircling a small, tree-lined, historic and retail district.
Although the Colorado section of Dinosaur National Monument is
ninety miles north of Grand Junction along Hwy-139, the town itself
holds the superb Dinosaur alley Museum, 362 Main St (summer
daily 9am-5pm; rest of year Tues-Sat 10am), which
houses a collection of reconstructed reptiles and giant bones
excavated in the region.
But
the main local attraction around town is the splendid local network
of trails, many through parched, rugged and spectacular desert
country. Especially enticing for hikers is the remarkable
scenery of the Colorado National Monument, while mountain
bikers flock to the smooth rolling single-track trails around
Fruita . Both activities are possible year-round, and are in
fact generally more pleasant in the winter months.
|
Trail
information and rental bikes (front suspension $28 per day) are to
be had from over the Edge Sports, 202 E Aspen Ave (phone 970/858-7220), a block
east of the roundabout at the center of Fruita or from several shops
in Grand Junction including Bicycle Outfitters, 248 Ute Ave (phone
970/245-2699). The area is also a rock climber's dream;
Summit Canyon Mountaineering, 549 Main St (phone 970/243-2847), can
supply you with the necessary information and gear.
 Colorado
guide, hotels
|
Colorado
guide, hotels
Colorado
Getting
around
Denver
The
City
Arrival
& info
Transportation
Eating
Nightlife & entertainment
Northern Colorado
Explore Northern
Colorado
Aspen
Town
and mountains
Arrival,
info
Cafés
and restaurants
Nightlife, entertainment
Boulder
Practicalities
Glenwood Springs
Practicalities
Grand
Junction
Practicalities
Colorado
Nat'l Monument
Grand
Mesa
Leadville
Skiing, mountain
 biking
Practicalities
Rocky Mountain National Park
Exploring Rocky Mountain
Steamboat Springs
Practicalities
Summit County
Arrival
and information
Skiing, outdoor
activities
Eating
Bars, pubs
Vail
Practicalities
Winter Park
Practicalities, nightlife
Colorado river Tours |
|
