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© Copyright 2007, Mountain Kids Magazine, LLC

Gunnison and Crested Butte Colorado Family Activity Guide -- Summer 2006
Must-Take One-Tank Trips

Black Canyon Boat Tour

If you haven't done this yet, it is highly recommended! A Black Canyon Boat Tour takes the full day to do with driving and lunch. (Have lunch on Pappy's deck at the Marina afterwards.) The boat ride follows the route of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad past Chipeta Falls, the Curecanti Needle, and huge cliff walls like the Tablets of Moses. The Gunnison Chamber of Commerce has an excellent newspaper-style pamphlet with all the information you need for this excursion. The Chamber is at 500 E. Tomichi - Hwy. 50 through town. , 970-641-1501

The trail head is located off US Hwy. 50, one mile west of its junction with Colorado Hwy. 92 (which crosses Blue Mesa Dam). Once you park, you walk down into the canyon to the boat. The hike is 3/4 mile in length on the Pine Creek Trail and includes 232 stairs (180 vertical feet.) Reservations are required but can be made the day of your trip.

Call 970-641-2337, ext. 205 or stop by the Elk Creek Visitor's Center (15 miles west of Gunnison along US Hwy. 50) for reservations.

Infants are free. Children 2-12 $6.00. Adults $12.00. Seniors $6.00.

Lake City, Colorado

"Cure for the Common Crowd." Lake City is a quaint, historic town about an hour's drive from Gunnison. Visit their website for information about what to see and do there. It's tucked away and surrounded by 14,000 peaks. (Uncompahgre is an easy fourteener.) There's lots of camping, fishing, and hiking.

From Gunnison, go west on US Hwy. 50. Approximately 8.3 miles west, turn left onto CO 149. There is a sign indicating that this is the turn-off to Lake City and you will cross a bridge. Drive approximately 45 miles on CO 149 into Lake City. Total trip is about 54 miles.

Ouray Hot Springs Pool

This drive is a couple of hours from Gunnison and about 2 1/2 hours from Crested Butte.

Get a hotel and relax at the hot springs! There is a water slide, float toy rentals, refreshments, a work-out room, and an outdoor park. Downtown Ouray has shops and restaurants to visit. The views are what make this hot springs memorable.

From Gunnison, go west on US Hwy. 50 approximately 64 miles to Montrose. You will come to a stop light once you drive through downtown Montrose. Turn Left onto S. Townsend Ave/US 550. Drive approximately 36.5 miles to Ouray. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is to your right as you drive into town. It is open all year. 970-325-7073, 1200 Main St. Ouray. Visit the chamber website for more information.

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool

The drive is worth it to visit "the world's largest hot springs pool" that also has an athletic club, sport shop and mini golf. There is a water slide, a tubing slide, diving boards, a "hotter" area for soaking, lap lanes, and more. It's fun. Glenwood is a neat little town, too, so be sure to visit the shops and restaurants. For more information on where to stay, visit the chamber web site.

The quickest way to get there is over Kebler Pass. The pass is a 30-mile drive beginning to end, from Crested Butte. Go slow! It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to go 30 miles. The pass is absolutely gorgeous so enjoy the views.

From Crested Butte, head west on Whiterock Ave. The road becomes County Road 12 and takes you over Kebler Pass. Drive approximately 30 miles and the road ends. Turn right (north) on CO 133. Drive approximately 55 miles north to Glenwood Springs. The hot springs pool is next to I-70.

It's confusing trying to park and get into the entrance of the Hot Springs Pool, but there are signs. You can bring your own lawn chair or rent them, but the rentals go fast. There are grassy areas with shade as well.

The Great Sand Dunes

The Great Sand Dunes are fun and easy to explore. The scenery is beautiful, and there is water where the kids can play. There is a $3.00 per adult fee to get into the park. Camping fills up on the weekends so get there Thursday night. Call 719-378-6300 for recorded information. This is a personal favorite and is well worth the drive. From Gunnison it takes a little over two hours to get there.

From Gunnison, head east on US Hwy. 50. Approximately 7 miles east, turn right on Hwy. 114 to Saguache. Drive approximately 62 miles to Saguache. Head south on Hwy. 285 . Drive approximately 25.5 miles until you get to Hwy. 112. Turn left (east) on Hwy. 112 to Center. Drive to Hooper approximately 15 miles. Turn right (south) on Hwy. 17. The entrance to the Great Sand Dunes is between Hooper and Mosca.

Visit the web site for more information about lodging, restaurants, and activities in the area. There is also a gator farm that is fun for kids to visit nearby. Call 719-378-2612 for more information on the reptile park.

Future issues will feature more "One Tank Trips." If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact Tricia.

Bon Voyage!