2016 Delta County Visitor Guide by Delta County Independent

DELTA COUNTY Visitors Guide

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Delta County Grand Mesa

• Cedaredge G

Paonia

Orchard City un

so 50 n R iv er

•

133

•

DELTA

•

Hotchkiss Black Canyon of the Gunnison

UTAH

Glenwood Springs

135

Montrose

Gunnison

Leadville

Crested Butte

DENVER

Aspen 133

•

ELEVATIONS

Craig

Crawford

NEBRASKA

WYOMING

Grand Junction

•

Colorado Springs

COLORADO

Pueblo

550

Delta . . . . . Orchard City . Cedaredge . . Hotchkiss . . Paonia . . . . Crawford. . . McClure Pass

. . . . . . .

4,953’ 5,040; 6,264’ 5,351’ 5,645’ 6,250’ 8,790’

Grand Mesa Visitor Center .10,271’ North Rim Black Canyon . 5,817’

Welcome to Delta County Delta County has been blessed with the best Colorado has to offer — beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, friendly residents and a wealth of public lands to explore. It is a land of dinosaurs and Ute Indians, of cowboys and ag producers, of creative spirits and sportsmen! Whether you’re in search of outdoor adventure or a pleasant afternoon browsing art galleries and museums, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Let this publication produced by the staff of the Delta County Independent serve as your guide during your stay in Delta County. We hope you will take the time to discover why Delta County is one of Colorado’s treasures!

A publication of the

Delta County Independent 401 Meeker Street, Delta, CO 81416 970-874-4421 www.deltacountyindependent.com

Advertisers Index A Simpler Time Bed & Breakfast . . . . 23 Alexander Lake Lodge . . . . . . . . . . 17 Alfred Eames Cellars . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Antelope Hill Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Aspen Trails RV Park . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Backcountry Goods Trading . . . . . . . . 7 Backyard Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Bank of Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Big B Fruit Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Big ‘E’ Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7/9 Black Bridge Winery . . . . . . . . . . 5/27 Bross Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 CB’s Tavern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce 13 Cedaredge Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Church Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Church of Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 City of Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Clubb’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Cowboy Collectibles . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Crawford Chamber of Commerce . . . . 12

Cristee-Meade Building Company . . Davis Clothing Company . . . . . . . . Delicious Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . Deltarado Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delta Ace Hardware . . . . . . . . . . Delta Area Chamber of Commerce . . Delta County Economic Development Delta County Independent . . . . . . . Delta County Memorial Hospital . . . Delta County Tourism . . . . . . . . . . Delta Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . Devil’s Thumb Golf Club . . . . . . . . DeVries Fruit & Veggies . . . . . . . . Dolls by Lori . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drost’s Chocolates . . . . . . . . . . . Edge of Cedars Farm & Winery . . . . Egyptian Theatre/Tru Vu Drive-In . . . First State Bank of Colorado . . . . . . 4B’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4th & Main Exchange . . . . . . . . . . Fritchman Orchards . . . . . . . . . . .

. 15 . 30 5/23 . 18 ..3 ..3 ..3 . 31 . 32 . 31 ..9 . 18 ..9 . 31 . 25 5/25 ..3 . 19 5/15 ..7 ..9

Grand Mesa Adventures . . . . . . . . Grand Mesa Commercial Real Estate . Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce . . Hotchkiss Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iron Pony Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . Kwiki Tire Service . . . . . . . . . . . . Laughing Goat Farmer’s Market . . . . Leon’s Produce . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leroux Creek Inn & Winery . . . . . . Mattics Orchard . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain Harvest Festival . . . . . . . Munson’s Main Street Gallery . . . . . Needlerock Mountain Realty . . . . . North Fork Ambulance Association . . North Fork Motel . . . . . . . . . . . . North Fork Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . Old Mad Dog Café . . . . . . . . . . . . Orchard Valley Farms & Market . . . . Our Cozy Cabin . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat’s Bar & Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pizza Hut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25 30 12 23 .7 22 .9 .9 .5 .9 22 25 12 12 27 27 27 27 22 12 19

Pondy, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . Red Shed Produce . . . . . . . . Redwood Arms Motel . . . . . . . Ribbons & Roses Antique Mall. . RJ’s Steakhouse . . . . . . . . . . Rocky Mountain Inn . . . . . . . Rogers Mesa Fruit . . . . . . . . Rogers Mesa Store/RV Park . . . Rustic Rooster Vintage Boutique Sage Winds West Art Gallery . . Snow Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sparky’s Farm Market . . . . . . Starr’s Guitars . . . . . . . . . . . Stone Cottage Cellars . . . . . . Stoney Mesa Winery . . . . . . . Taco Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wanda’s Whims . . . . . . . . . . Western Colorado Realty . . . . . Wild Flower Bistro . . . . . . . . Zack’s Bar-B-Q . . . . . . . . . .

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. 13 ..9 . 22 ..7 . 13 . 24 ..9 . 24 ..7 . 15 . 27 ..9 . 17 ..5 5/15 ..3 . 15 . 27 . 21 . 12

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Music * Food * Booths Fun & Games Sidewalk Sales and Local Business Specials JUNE 9 AUGUST 11 SEPTEMBER 8 ��

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DELTA ACE HARDWARE IS YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP ��

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 3

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE WILDERNESS ACT What exactly is a wilderness? If you ask a child, they will immediately say a wild place where you can run free; it’s home for wild animals. If you ask an adult, they might describe a place without traces of human intrusion, someplace remote and quiet — far away from the sounds of civilization. So what exactly is a wilderness? How about “acres of majestic landscapes of relatively untouched tracts without the hand of man.” That is how it was described in September 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act which specified these areas as places where man himself is a visitor who does not remain; a place we can go to connect with the land on its own terms. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) has a rich history of wilderness stewardship with over 10 congressionally designated wilderness areas covering about 20 percent of the three-million-acre forest. Timberline lakes and high mountain streams offer excellent fishing and spectacular scenery; needle-like peaks etch into a rugged skyline; rock, ice and snow blend into soft tundra mosses and lichens; gushing waterfalls and sparkling creeks are lined with a crayon box of wildflowers; elk and deer thrive in these places and healthy herds of mountain goats and bighorn sheep rule the rock cliffs. The only imprint of humans is the legacy of man’s hunt for gold and other valuable metals, a testament to the very hardy, feisty and determined nature of the early miners searching for riches in the rugged Rockies. Today many trails, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Colorado Trail, cross through the very heart of several of our wilderness areas, providing access for hikers and horseback riders.

WEST ELK WILDERNESS

RAGGEDS WILDERNESS

Raggeds Wilderness covers 65,443 acres spanning the Gunnison and White River National Forests. Prominent rocky slopes point upward to a serrated ridge which gives Raggeds Wilderness its name. Ragged Mountain in the northern half rises to 12,094 feet, but other scenic peaks in the area summit higher. Points of interest include Dark Canyon, Chair Mountain, Marcellina Mountain, Mount Justice, Treasury Mountain and Oh-Be-Joyful Pass. Anthracite Creek passes through the deep Dark Canyon in the heart of the wilderness. During autumn you’ll see expanses of aspen ablaze with bands of red, gray and black rock rising above. Closest towns are Paonia, Crested Butte and Aspen.

West Elk Wilderness within the Gunnison National Forest covers 176,412 acres and is the fifth-largest wilderness in Colorado. This wilderness is a large, very remote untamed area with little visitation. Only during fall hunting season do the trails and campsites fill with people. Elk and deer number in the thousands. Here you’ll find mountain passes leading to secluded valleys filled with beaver ponds and lined with trembling aspen that turn gold in September. Past volcanic activity has produced long lava flows forming ridges crumbled and carved by wind and water into fantastic turrets, pinnacles and crenellated bulwarks. The topography is reflected in many of the area’s geographic names: Castle Pass, Castle View, Castle Creek, and the Castles. About 200 miles of trails offer opportunities for extended loop hikes through the West Elk Wilderness. Most of the trails provide excellent pathways for horse traffic. The closest towns are Paonia and Gunnison. A full description of all 10 wilderness areas, including links to trailheads and trail access, can be found at http://www. fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/wilderness. 4 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

C A O L L FLAVOR F O P I S A Quench your thirst at these businesses and sample the varieties... perhaps take home a bottle or case!

A L F R E D E AMES CELLARS

B L A C K B RIDGE WINERY

11931 4050 Rd. • Paonia • (970) 527-3269 alfredeamescellars.com Visitors by appointment, please.

15836 Black Bridge Rd. • Paonia (970) 527-6838 • blackbridgewinery.com Estate Bottled Wine, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Reisling, Chardonnay, New This Year ~ Peach Wine. Open daily 10-6 Memorial Weekend thru Halloween. Please see our ad on page 27.

D E L I C I O U S ORCHARDS, H O M E O F BIG B’S JUICES A N D H ARD CIDERS

39126 Hwy. 133 • Hotchkiss • (970) 527-1110 info@bigbs.com • www.bigbs.com Open daily 8-6, May to Dec.; Hard Cider and Wine Tasting room. Café, U-Pick Organic Fruit, Fresh Produce, Gifts, Camping, Picnics. Please see our ad on page 23.

4B’S BREWERY

215 W. Main St. • Cedaredge • (970) 856-7762 4bsbrewery@gmail.com A small town brew pub! We make our own beers & have a variety of guest taps too. Colorado-made micro brews, wines & distilled spirits. Food menu includes soups, salads, flatbreads & an old-fashioned soda fountain with shakes, sundaes, Italian sodas. Family-friendly atmosphere. Please see our ad on page 15.

LEROUX CREEK INN & WINERY

12388 3100 Rd • Hotchkiss • (970) 872-4746 lerouxcreekinn.com Gourmet picnics available in the vineyard. Grapes organically grown, specializing in hybrid grapes. B&B w/5 rooms w/private bath. Paella Tuesdays.

STONE COTTAGE CELLARS

41716 Reds Rd. • Paonia • (970) 527-3444 stonecottagecellars.com email: info@stonecottagecellars.com Gold Medal Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Alpine Dessert Wine. Vineyard stays available. Open Daily 11-6, Memorial Day to November.

STONEY MESA WINERY

16199 Happy Hollow Rd. • Cedaredge (970) 856-WINE • stoneymesa.com Locally crafted wines, locally made oils, vinegars & foods; local artisans. Outdoor patio. Tasting room. We’ve got a wine for everyone! Won Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology “Winery of the Year” award for 2015 & Best of Delta County 2015. Please see our ad on page 15.

E D G E OF CEDARS FA R M & WINERY

250 SW 7th St. • Cedaredge • (970) 623-9189 edgeofcedarsfarm.com Open Wed.-Sat. afternoons — Please call first! Unique, craft wines; Landot Noir, Gewurztraminer ‘Royale,’ Petite Pearl, Dornfelder. All low in sulfites, plus naturals with no added sulfites. Pavilion patio tasting room seats 20+. Vineyard and nature tour. Please see our ad on page 25.

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 5

DOMINGUEZ ESCALANTE CANYONS

The Dominguez and Escalante Canyons offer unparalleled opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. A large portion of the BLM-managed land in Delta, Mesa and Montrose counties has been set aside as a National Conservation Area (NCA). Red-rock canyons and sandstone bluffs hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 600 million years, as well as many cultural and historic sites. Ute tribes today consider these piñon-juniper-covered lands an important connection to their ancestral past. The Gunnison River flows placidly through the desert landscape that’s home to rare plants, Indian rock art and rugged rock formations. The Escalante, Cottonwood, Little and Big Dominguez creeks cascade through sandstone canyon walls that drain the eastern Uncompahgre Plateau, creating the landscape we see today. A variety of wildlife calls the area home, including mule deer, golden eagle, turkey, elk, mountain lion, black bear, the collared lizard and desert bighorn sheep. These animals — slightly smaller than the high-country Rocky Mountain bighorns — are welladapted to arid desert canyons in the West. Elevations in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet. The canyons are named for Spanish missionary explorers Father Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Father Silvestre Vélez de Escalante, although they never set foot in the canyons when they led an expedition through western Colorado in 1776. The Hayden Survey named a creek the Rio Escalante and the one downstream Rio Dominguez to honor the two priests who eventually explored more territory than Lewis and Clark. To enter Escalante Canyon, drive north of Delta on Highway 50 about 10 miles to the well-marked turnoff southwest onto Escalante Canyon Road. The hard-packed 17-mile dirt road is traversable by car. The road drops down and crosses the Gunnison River, then continues through privately-owned pastures. BLM signs mark public access. You will find picnic tables and restrooms at the “potholes,” a popular area where Escalante Creek tumbles through a narrow rocky passage. Dominguez Canyon is more primitive. Those who choose to visit must, for the most part, hike in. Halfway between Delta and Grand Junction, at the end of Bridgeport Road, is access to a pedestrian bridge over the Gunnison River. The bridge, a one-mile hike from the parking lot, serves as a gateway to the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area. Access can also be gained by floating the Gunnison River. Campsites and put-ins can be located on a map of the area which can be found on BLM’s website, www.blm.gov.

6 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

HISTORIC LANDMARKS

Western Colorado is the only place in the West boasting three BLM National Conservation Areas — Gunnison Gorge, Dominguez-Escalante and McInnis Canyons — within an hour’s drive of one another.

Three historic landmarks in Escalante Canyon have been named to the state’s list of Most Historic Places. Capt. H.A. Smith’s Cabin, a hand-carved structure in stone, and the Walker Cabin represent the hardy homesteaders who lived in the canyon in the 1900s. Both structures can be found on the main road. The third landmark, a water wheel, is located in a channel off the Gunnison River.

A Guide to Delta County Antiques & Collectibles for a One-of-a-Kind Home 1

BAC KCOU NT RY G OOD S TRADING

158 E. Main St. • Hotchkiss • (970) 872-3045 backcountrygoods.com

We buy, sell, and trade almost everything. Your treasure awaits.

B I G ‘ E ’ A NT I QU ES 13006 Hwy. 65 • Eckert • (970) 835-8817 bige@acsol.net

Open Mon.-Sat. 8-5 • Open Sun. Seasonally Specializing in Antiques, Produce and Wild Game Processing.

4T H & M A I N E XC HA N G E

365 Main St. • Delta (970) 822-2437 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Honestly, everyone can enjoy 6500 sq. ft. — you will leave complete! 5

320 SW 2nd St. • Cedaredge (970) 856-3557 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10ish-5ish Everything for the avid antiquer to the casual collector.

I RON PON Y A NT I QU ES

660 Main St. • Delta (970) 874-2597 Open Mon - Sat.10-5; Sun. Noon-5 Quality Art, Asian Art, Collectibles Buy • Sell • Appraise

R I BB ONS A ND ROSES A NT I QU E M A LL

RUST I C ROOST E R V I N TA G E B O U T I Q U E

203 Ute St. • Delta (970) 250-6621 or (970) 417-0969 Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10-5; Sat. 10-3 Specializing in up-cycled furniture, art, antiques, gifts & home decor, vintage & consignments.

COW B OY COLLECT I B LES “The Biggest Little Tack Shop on the Western Slope”

448 E. Bridge St. • Hotchkiss (970) 872-3025 www.cowboycollectiblesonline.com Specializing in hard-to-find items for the working cowboy. 60’ Ranch Ropes • Rawhide Riatas Rawhide Hondas

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide —7

FISHING

When it comes to fishing, local angler Don Benjamin recommends Ward Creek Reservoir. “I can always catch fish there,” he says. Plus, it’s easy to get to — on the south side of Grand Mesa, just off Highway 65. Actually, Don says, you can catch fish on virtually any lake on Grand Mesa, especially in the evening and using any fly that resembles mosquito larvae. With bait, you’ll find success any time of the day. Colorado Parks & Wildlife regularly stocks two other lakes on Grand Mesa. Eggleston Lake has rainbow trout, brown trout, splake and cutthroat. Eggleston is open to fishing year-round, but you’ll find the best fishing in July and August. Island Lake, the largest lake on Grand Mesa, provides fishing for rainbow trout, brook trout, splake and cutthroat. The lake is 16 miles north of Cedaredge. Before the weather gets too hot in the valley, Don heads to Confluence Park. Located in Delta, Confluence Lake is managed as both a seasonal trout fishery and a warm water fishery. CPW reports fishing is good for catchable-sized rainbow trout in the spring and fall, with fair fishing for naturally reproducing largemouth bass, sunfish and crappie in the spring and summer. Stop by the Grand Mesa Visitor Center to pick up a copy of “Fishing the Grand Mesa,” a Colorado Parks & Wildlife publication. Providing the locations all 100 fishable lakes on Grand Mesa, it’s a vital resource for the backcountry fisherman and hiker. Crawford Reserovir, located one mile south of the town of Crawford, is a popular fishery that provides angling opportunity for yellow perch, channel catfish, northern pike, rainbow trout, black crappie, and largemouth bass. CPW reports that removal efforts in 2014 and 2015 were effective in reducing the northern pike numbers, restoring balance to the fishery. Crawford Reservoir is also a popular ice fishing destination, as are the lakes on Grand Mesa.

GOLD MEDAL WATERS

For a family outing close to town, check out Volunteer Park in Paonia or Sweitzer Lake just south of Delta. The kids will also enjoy a visit to the Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery, just a few miles west of Hotchkiss. The hatchery receives rainbow trout eggs from various sources throughout the U.S. After the eggs hatch, the young ﬁsh are placed into concrete tanks in the hatchery building. When they reach 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length, they’re moved to outside raceways where they grow to the proper size for stocking. The hatchery is open seven days a week and can be reached by calling 970-872-3170.

8 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

The Gunnison River in the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge is a Gold Medal wild trout fishery that stretches over 40 miles from Crystal Reservoir to the town of Austin and provides many diverse wading and float fishing opportunities. In the Gorge, the Gunnison River continues to be one of the highest quality Gold Medal fisheries in Colorado and anywhere in the west with 5,000 to 10,000 trout per mile over six inches long. Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of rainbow and brown trout from 12 to 20 inches, with the possibility of larger fish. For rainbow trout fishing, focus on the East Portal, and the area between the Smith and North Fork Gunnison River confluence. Boating access is available by pack in only at Chukar Trail. The float from Chukar to the North Fork includes class III and IV whitewater. Float fishing access is available at the Gunnison Forks, Cottonwood Grove and Orchard boat ramps off South River Road. Popular foot trails include Warner Point, Red Rocks, Chukar, Bobcat, Duncan, Ute and West River Trail. Camping is available in the Cottonwood Grove campground off South River Road, and at the East Portal of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Wilderness hiking camps and boating camps can be located on the BLM website, www.co.blm.gov/ggnca/.

FARM FRESH GUIDE TO DELTA COUNTY FRUITS & VEGETABLES

Welcome to the Delta County area, where you’ll find the

“Best Fruit and Vegetables in Colorado!” Antelope Hill Orchards 22274 Antelope Hill Eckert/Orchard City 835-3111 or 835-3112

Sweet Cherries, Pie Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines. bingcherry.com Open 7 Days A Week.

Big B Fruit Stand

769 2075 Rd., Delta • 874-8136 Hwy 92 corner of Read

DeVries Fruit & Veggies

The Friend ~ ly Farm South of Delta on Hwy. 50 between mile marker 85 & 86 (970) 323-6559

Tomatoes, Peaches, Olathe Sweet Corn, Sweet Cherries, Pickles, Peppers, Okra and Much More. Open Everyday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tomato Patch U-PIK • Corn Maze Pumpkin Patch • Chili Roasting

Mattics Orchard

8163 High Mesa Rd. • Olathe, CO 970-323-5657

Open: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 7 days a week Family Owned & Operated Apples, Peaches, Pears, Tomatoes, Chile, Peppers, Squash, Cantaloupe, Sweet Corn, Watermelons, Eggplants & Much More.

Red Shed Produce

Fritchman Orchards

Corner of 1800 Rd. & Hwy. 92 Delta • 970-874-8888

Apples, Cherries, Pears & Peaches (July-Oct.) All Fruit Unwaxed • Plums • Prunes Open 7 Days A Week 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. If our doors are open, we are open.

Rogers Mesa Fruit

Local Fruit & Vegetables Wild Game Processing Antiques & Collectibles

Laughing Goat Farmer’s Market

Cherries, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Pears & Apples. Open Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 8-12

Delta Farmers Market

West on 1st Street, follow signs Delta • 874-4478

Your local produce provider for over 35 years. Variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, chilies, tomatoes, canned goods, homemade taffies, jams & jellies

Big ‘E’ Antiques

13006 Hwy. 65, Eckert, CO 970_835-8817 • bige@acsol.net

5th & Meeker St. • Delta • 874-1240 (1 block east of Main St.)

June thru September, Every Saturday & Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Everyone Welcome

13686 Hwy. 65 (3/4 mile north of Eckert in red building) Packing Shed 835-3628 or Fritchman 835-3348

formally Hi-Quality Packing

Seasonal Cherries, Pears, Apples, Nectarines, Peaches, Jams, Jellies, Frozen Pie Cherries and a variety of Vegetables

Leon’s Produce

1911 H Road • Delta • 874-4249

Tomatoes, Chili Peppers, Potatoes, Beans, Onions, Cantaloupe & Chili Roasting

Open 9-6 Daily July thru Oct. Large variety of locally grown fruits & vegetables. Wholesale and Retail — Corn Maze

Hwy. 92 & 3100 Rd. Hotchkiss, CO 81419 • 970-872-2155

Sparky’s Farm Market 31164 Hwy 92 • 5 miles west of Hotchkiss • 970-872-7737

June thru Oct. Mon.-Sat. - All “in season” fresh fruits & vegetables. Call on U-Pik Fruit, Frozen Pie Cherries, Tart Cherry Juice, Local Honey, Jams & Jellies, Gift Shop, Wagon Rides, Chili Roasting, Fresh-Baked Fruit Pies. Picnic area available. A favorite place of local folks & tourists.

GUNNISON RIVER

The Gunnison River begins its journey where the East and Taylor rivers meet in Almont. West of Gunnison, the river broadens out into the three reservoirs that make up the Curecanti National Recreation Area — Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal. These reservoirs provide a variety of recreational opportunities, water storage and hydroelectric power. Below Crystal Dam, water is channeled through the Gunnison Tunnel to irrigate farms and ranches in the Uncompahgre Valley. Upstream from Delta, the narrow channel is dwarfed beneath the 2,000-foot volcanic rock walls of the Black Canyon National Park. Where the river narrows, rapids offer thrilling whitewater adventures. At other points the floor of the canyon widens and the river is characterized by shallow ripples.

NORTH FORK OF THE GUNNISON RIVER

Near the Gunnison Forks Day Use Area 13 miles east of Delta, the North Fork of the Gunnison River joins the Gunnison River. The North Fork flows from below Paonia Reservoir, through Somerset, Bowie and Hotchkiss during its 33-mile journey. You can access the “North Fork” at the Paonia River Park. Through a collaborative effort, a former in-stream gravel pit is now a public park with restored river banks, picnic areas and hiking trails. As the Gunnison River continues west, it slices through Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. The Gunnison Gorge Wilderness lies at the center of the conservation area. The Gunnison Gorge offers unsurpassed recreational opportunities, from whitewater rafting to big game hunting. Anglers from all over the world visit the Gunnison River for its outstanding Gold Medal trout fishing and annual stonefly hatch. Visit www.co.blm.gov/co/ st/en/nca/ggnca.html for a detailed map.

DELTA-ESCALANTE-BRIDGEPORT

As the channel broadens, the river transitions to a placid, gentle float. Two major river improvement projects between the Gunnison River Pleasure Park and Delta have enhanced fish passage and made the river safer to float. It’s no longer necessary to portage around a dangerous roller dam just east of Delta, so those who wish may continue their journey downstream where the Uncompahgre River merges with the Gunnison River at Confluence Park in Delta. As it flows west to join the Colorado River some 40 miles downstream, the Gunnison cuts through the DominguezEscalante National Conservation Area. Beautiful scenery, hidden rock art and solitude draw boaters to the lower stretch of the Gunnison River. Opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and exploring abound. In this area, the river can be accessed at the Escalante Bridge. Take Highway 50 west from Delta, watching for the Escalante Road turnoff between mileposts 55 and 60. Turn left on the dirt road and travel three miles to the river. Use the north side of the bridge for put-in and park in the upper lot. A popular downstream stop is Bridgeport. Primitive camping is available and a hike up Big Dominguez Canyon offers an opportunity to go exploring for rock art and enjoy the waterfall.

10 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

GUNNISON GORGE NCA

Large expanses of adobe hills, arroyos and piñon-juniper canyons and uplands comprise the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA), a 62,844-acre parcel of public land managed by the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office. At the heart of the NCA, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area encompasses a spectacular black granite and red sandstone double canyon formed by the Gunnison River. The Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area offers outstanding recreational opportunities such as world-class trout fishing, hunting, whitewater boating, and backcountry hiking and camping. It includes a 14-mile stretch of the Gunnison River extending from the northwestern boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park north to a point approximately one mile downstream from the confluence of the Smith Fork and the main stem of the Gunnison. The NCA contains a number of prehistoric and historic sites, including rock art, cabins, campsites, and mines. A number of these sites are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Cultural surveys of the area are ongoing, as are a number of site stabilization projects. A major goal of the NCA resource management plan is to provide users with enhanced interpretation of the area’s outstanding cultural resources in order to increase awareness and understanding of the need to protect these areas. While motorized travel in the wilderness area is limited to designated routes, the Peach Valley Recreation Area features a challenging single track and primitive dirt road trail system open to motorized recreation. You can access these “badlands” by taking 2200 Road south from Austin. Follow the signs for Peach Valley Road, which runs the entire length along the western edge of the NCA. For information about fees and regulations, visit the Gunnison Gorge web page at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/ nca/ggnca.html.

Bureau of Land Management map Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 11

Open Monday-Sunday serving Lunch and Dinner 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

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Enjoy Outdoor Dining on our Patio

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Wine Art Music Farms Hiking Biking Fishing Nordic Skiing

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Views to live for...

Letfor…. us help you ﬁnd your Views to live

Let us help youDream find your Come True Property! Dream Come True property! Liz Heidrick

Bill Murray

Brady Todd

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970-856-3841 For Reservations 2323 S. Grand Mesa Dr. ~ Cedaredge, CO Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 13

GRAND MESA UNCOMPAHGRE AND GUNNISON NATIONAL FORESTS

If you’ve come to Colorado for the mountains, you’ve come to the right place. From any spot in Delta County, all points of the compass lead to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests — a combination of three national forests which cover 3,161,912 acres of public land in the central and southern Rocky Mountains. The forests include spectacular features like Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flattop mountain; the Uncompahgre Plateau — a high, almost level table broken by sharp, rugged canyons west of Delta; the West Elk Wilderness Area, with peaks reaching 13,000 feet in elevation; and the Raggeds Wilderness Area, encompassing more than 59,000 acres of the Gunnison and White River National Forests. Elevations range from 5,800 feet above sea level in Roubideau Creek Canyon to 14,309 feet on Uncompahgre Peak. Incomparable scenery, abundant wildlife and colorful wildflowers delight photographers of all abilities. The GMUG is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including elk, deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and desert bighorn sheep. A relatively new moose herd on Grand Mesa now numbers 150-plus. Camping opportunities on the GMUG National Forest abound. While electric, sewer, water hookups and showers are not always available, most campgrounds have potable water, picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets. Dispersed camping is an option in most areas. You can also experience life in a Forest Service ranger station by renting a cabin on Grand Mesa or in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Reservations are required; visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/ gmug for more information. Several lodges and resorts offer all the comforts of home. Trails for hiking, biking, off-highway vehicles and horseback riding are easily located using a gazetteer or U.S. Forest Service map. Over 3,000 miles of trails and routes provide access to areas of rugged beauty and solitude in the forest. Many were carved by indigenous peoples, early explorers and miners.

14 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

ACCESS Dominating the skyline west of Delta is the Uncompahgre Plateau, which can be reached by taking the Delta-Nucla Road (Highway 348) west from Delta. West of Hotchkiss, 3100 Road (just off Highway 92) follows Leroux Creek uphill to lush meadows and several reservoirs on Grand Mesa. Another access point for the GMUG is Stevens Gulch Road (County Road 4010), accessed by driving north from Paonia. The road climbs steadily out of piñon-juniper forests into aspen forests into spruce-fir. As you cross the USFS boundary (seven miles), the road turns into Forest Road 701. You’ll find yourself on the eastern part of Grand Mesa. Wild turkeys are commonly spotted just off the road, and the fish are often biting in Hubbard Creek. Take along a gazetteer or topo map to locate hiking trails in the area. East of Paonia, Kebler Pass Road offers access to camping spots along the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway. This road is closed during winter months, but offers spectacular scenery in the summer and fall. From Paonia, take Highway 133 northeast for 16 miles to County Road 12. You’ll find Erickson Springs Campground about five miles down the road. From there, you can access the Dark Canyon Trail, which follows Anthracite Creek. Or, continue on Kebler Pass Road to Forest Road 706, where you’ll find a turnoff to Lost Lake, another two and a half miles south. A one-mile loop trail will take you from Lost Lake Slough to Lost Lake and Dollar Lake. There’s a popular, but small, campground at this site and the fishing is good. If you stay on Kebler Pass, the gravel road will take you past the once booming mining camps of Irwin and Ruby to the communities of Crested Butte and Gunnison. A Forest Service map will show additional access points from every area of the county.

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 15

THE STORY OF GRAND MESA The Spaniards named the Grand Mesa “Mesa Grande,” meaning “large table,” an apt description for the world’s largest tabletop mountain. The story of the Grand Mesa lakes is one of dynamic geological processes and determined men. The work of glaciers and a weathering process known as “slumping” created the depressions, then industrious men used the tophography to build reservoirs to provide a dependable, summer-long supply of water to irrigate orchards and crops in the valley.

GRAND MESA

If you’re looking for a great place to “unplug,” consider a trip to one of the coolest areas around — Grand Mesa National Forest. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet, summer temperatures are considerably lower than those in the valley below. To reach this oasis of lakes, meadows and forests, take the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway (Highway 65). The drive will take you from fruit-laden orchards in the Surface Creek Valley to hillsides covered with piñon and juniper, to forests of spruce, fir and aspen. The forests and meadows provide food and cover for big game animals such as elk, deer and moose. Porcupine, snowshoe rabbits, pine squirrels, chipmunks and yellow-bellied marmots are some of the small mammals you might spot. Sun-splashed meadows filled with wildflowers line the highway. Along the route, you’ll find turnoffs to numerous picnic areas, cabins, lodges and lakes. Camping opportunities abound on Grand Mesa. In addition to privately operated cabins and lodges, the U.S. Forest Service offers cabin rentals, developed campgrounds and more isolated dispersed camping areas. Nearly every lake or pond on Grand Mesa offers good fishing opportunities. Many of the larger lakes and reservoirs are home to lake trout and northern pike. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find a variety of trails of varying length, although not all trails are open to all types of use. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Crag Crest National Recreation Trail, a 10-milelong circular trail rising from east and west trailheads, with a 6.5-mile-long path stretching across the top of Crag Crest. At the crest, the trail is about three feet wide with steep drop-offs on both sides and awesome vistas. Equally spectacular views can be found on the Land O Lakes Overlook, a gentle hike with views of 13 lakes and the valley floor below. Stop by the Grand Mesa Visitor Center for brochures, maps and books detailing the many trails atop Grand Mesa. Forest Service staff can also tell you where the fish are biting. Grand Mesa Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the summer. 16 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

GRAND MESA SCENIC BYWAY

Enjoy breathtaking views from Grand Mesa’s 11,000-foot summit when you travel the Grand Mesa National and Historic Scenic Byway. This 63-mile stretch of Highway 65 extends from Cedaredge to Interstate 70 about 30 miles east of Grand Junction. It includes a 12-mile stretch called Lands End Road. Along the byway, you’ll find turnoffs to picnic areas, cabins, lodges, trailheads and more than 300 stream-fed lakes, many swarming with rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout. Bright meadows filled with wildflowers line the highway and emerald-green fields carpet this playground in the sky. Glistening blankets of snow dress the Grand Mesa in winter for snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling. Porcupines, mountain lions, coyotes, red fox, elk, and deer thrive here. For more information about the scenic byway, log on to www.grandmesabyway. com or stop by the Welcome Center in Cedaredge, located just off Highway 65 in Pioneer Town. The Forest Service also operates a visitors center on Grand Mesa, just off Highway 65. It’s open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September.

PIONEER TOWN

Pioneer Town is a unique museum and historical village in Cedaredge just off Highway 65, the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. The complex covers nearly 5 acres and is readily identiﬁed by three distinctive wooden silos standing next to the Welcome Center. The silos are the last remaining structures of the Bar-I Ranch, established in the early 1880s as a cattle ranch. Start your visit at the Welcome Center for information, brochures, maps and videos of the area. Inside the Welcome Center you will ﬁnd a completely revamped gift shop with many unique and locally crafted items, along with an exciting addition this year of a Civil War diary exhibit. A nominal fee is charged to tour the 23 buildings within the Pioneer Town complex. All are original restorations moved from nearby locations or authentic replicas. The buildings house objects and artifacts from early days with connections to the area’s pioneer families. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. through AppleFest weekend, Oct. 1-2. For more information call 970-856-7554, check out www.pioneertown. org, or visit Facebook at Pioneer Town Museum Cedaredge Colorado.

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 17

STEP BACK IN TIME

as you explore Fort Uncompahgre, the first trading post in western Colorado, and learn about life in the fur-trading era of the early 1800s. Located at 440 N. Palmer Street, on the east side of Confluence Park in Delta, Fort Uncompahgre is open daily from June through September. Self-guided tours are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children between the ages of 6 and 16. Fort Uncompahgre was established in the late 1820s by Antoine Roubidoux on the banks of the Gunnison River a short distance below the mouth of the Uncompahgre River. Furs were brought to the fort by Native Americans and trappers and traded for guns, knives, beads and other prized trade goods that had been brought in from both the United States and Mexico. Authentic trade goods and piles of furs and animal hides fill several of the rough-hewn buildings at Fort Uncompahgre. You’ll also see an horno (adobe oven), cocina (kitchen), trappers’ quarters, the blacksmith shop and a heritage garden. The original fort was located along the North Branch of the Old Spanish Trail, so Fort Uncompahgre also serves as an interpretive center for the Old Spanish Trail, remnants of which are still visible just outside of town. Additionally, information is available about accessing public BLM and U.S. Forest Service-administered lands in the area.

HISTORIC FORT UNCOMPAHGRE ON THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL

SATURDAYS AT THE FORT

June 11 June 25 July 9 July 23 Aug. 13 Aug. 27 Sept. 10 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Oct. 22

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Celebrating Textiles and Crafts Old Time Music Festival Trade Days - Historical Pioneer Living History Days Ute Heritage Days Kids’ Rendezvous Mexican Heritage Days Mexican Heritage Days Harvest Festival Render the Fort, an Artist Gathering Fall Hunt

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18 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

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CEDAREDGE GOLF COURSE

An exceptional golfing experience awaits you at Cedaredge Golf Club, located on 90 view-filled acres in Cedaredge. With a combination of elevated tees, challenging hole layouts and spectacular vistas, this course will challenge golfers of varying abilities. The front nine plays through the housing developments of Stonebridge and Stonegate at DeerCreek, while the back nine features elevated tees, narrow fairways and sloping greens as the course climbs its way up to 6,200 feet and spectacular views from the 18th tee. With a higher elevation, a meandering stream, water features and plenty of trees, Cedaredge Golf Club is a great place to beat the heat of western Colorado. The clubhouse features a fully stocked golf store as well as a bar and dining facility. For an affordable, enjoyable golf experience, call 970-856-7781 or log on to www.cedaredgegolf.com.

DEVIL’S THUMB GOLF COURSE

Nestled among the adobe hills just north of Delta lies Devil’s Thumb Golf Course, named for the thumb-like rock formation that looms above it. The “prairie style” 18-hole golf course lies at the base of the majestic Grand Mesa. Off in the distance, one can see the Raggeds and West Elk Mountains to the east, and the San Juan Mountains to the south. Devil’s Thumb is consistently ranked among the state’s top golf courses, and recently came in second for Best Western Slope Course in an online survey conducted by the magazine Colorado Avid Golfer. To book a tee time, call 970-874-6262 or visit www. devilsthumbgolfcourse.net.

A VISIT TO DELTA ISN’T COMPLETE WITHOUT A VISIT TO

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 19

DELTA COUNTY

Delta County is a great place to live. Climate, scenery, small town atmosphere and friendly people top the list of reasons folks call Delta County home. Each of the six incorporated communities has its own unique identity.

CEDAREDGE

Nestled at the base of Grand Mesa, at “the edge of the cedars,” is the warm, friendly community of Cedaredge, population 2,300. With a variety of shops, art galleries, motels and restaurants, it’s a great place to launch your outdoor adventure. Your first stop should be the Welcome Center, located just off Highway 65 (the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway) at Pioneer Town. A tour of the surrounding countryside reveals dozens of vineyards and orchards producing apples, pears, peaches, apricots and cherries. Cedaredge is the largest community in the Surface Creek Valley, named for the creek that flows from the abundant waters of Grand Mesa. From the walking trails along the creek, you can often glimpse deer, a variety of birds and the occasional fisherman. Other amenities include the 18-hole Cedaredge Golf Club and Pioneer Chapel of the Cross Pioneer Town Town, a unique frontier museum.

PAONIA

Located just a mile off Highway 133, along the West Elk Loop, Paonia is what most of America once was — a small town with friendly people and a simpler way of living. Paonia’s setting beneath 11,400-foot Mount Lamborn is nothing short of spectacular. Nearby, the West Elk Wilderness offers great hiking, biking and horseback riding. The valley in front of the mountain is dotted with small country farms, orchards burgeoning with fruit, winemakers busy at their craft and chefs stirring it up. A reputation for producing quality highcountry, chemical-free food has earned Paonia the title of Chili cookoff Mountain Harvest Festival “farm-to-table capital of Colorado.”

HOTCHKISS

The gateway to the North Fork Valley, Hotchkiss is a community of just under 1,000 residents located where Highways 92 and 133 intersect. You won’t find any “big boxes” in Hotchkiss, but you can spend an enjoyable afternoon browsing the “mom and pop” shops downtown. The local economy revolves around agriculture. It is easy to find locals with roots four, five or more generations deep — including descendants of Enos T. Hotchkiss, who staked an early claim on the site where the town is now situated.

NORTH FORK VALLEY CREATIVE DISTRICT

Among the Creative Districts in Colorado, there is one that is absolutely unique. It’s the North Fork Valley Creative District — the only Creative District in the state to include three towns, Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford. It’s also unique in that it includes agriculture and orchard products, in addition to art galleries, music venues and talented artisans including authors, artists, filmmakers and architects.

20 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

ORCHARD CITY

is the product of three small communities — Eckert, Austin and Cory — which banded together to construct a much-needed domestic pipeline to transport clean, fresh water from Grand Mesa. Orchard City retains a rural atmosphere, encompassing an 11-square-mile area in which over 3,100 residents make their homes. The area is dotted with farms, ranches, pastures and orchards. Fruitgrowers Reservoir is known as one of the best waterbirding spots on the Western Slope. Greater Sandhill Cranes come through in large numbers in the early spring and roost for the night in Hart’s Basin to the north of the reservoir.

CRAWFORD Though small, Crawford Country offers a bounty of Colorado blue skies and crisp, clean air! Crawford Country is home to the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crawford State Park, historic Needle Rock and the West Elk Wilderness. National forests offer mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding during the summer, while snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are popular in the winter. Crawford Reservoir

DELTA,

the largest community in the county, proclaims itself the “Gateway to the Canyons” on a mural on the south end of town. Delta has a population of about 8,000, with another 5,000 people living in the unincorporated areas surrounding the city. The city boasts an 18-hole golf course, a movie theatre, top-quality medical facilities, a recreation center with an indoor pool, and one of the few drive-in movie theaters remaining in Colorado. The city’s rural atmosphere, friendly residents and mild climate contribute to the quality of life. Delta is located in an agricultural valley and is surrounded by fields of corn, onions, beans and alfalfa. Colorful murals, created by area artists and depicting the city’s heritage, can be seen on buildings in the downtown area. Outdoor sculpture pieces are placed along Delta’s Main Street.

Bill Heddles Recreation Center Conﬂuence Park

“Gateway to the Canyons” mural on Delta’s municipal light and power plant

HELPFUL CONTACTS

Community News/Events Delta County Independent 970-874-4421 www.deltacountyindependent.com Chambers/Visitor Info Cedaredge - 970-856-6961 www.cedaredgecolorado.com www.cedaredgechamber.com Crawford - 970-921-4000 www.crawfordcountry.org Delta - 970-874-8616 www.deltacolorado.org Hotchkiss - 970-872-3226 www.hotchkisschamber.com Orchard City www.orchardcityco.org Paonia - 970-527-3886 www.paoniachamber.com Public Lands/Parks Colorado State Parks parks.state.co.us Colorado Division of Wildlife www.wildlife.state.co.us U.S. Forest Service www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/ Bureau of Land Management Montrose: www.co.blm.gov/ubra/ Grand Junction: www.co.blm.gov/gjra.html Gunnison Gorge: www.co.blm.gov/ggnca/ Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park www.nps.gov/blca/

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 21

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STATE PARKS

Three large, state-operated reservoirs — Crawford, Paonia and Sweitzer — can be found in Delta County. These reservoirs are administered by the Colorado State Parks, www.parks.state.co.us. Great opportunities for picnicking, boating, water skiing, camping, swimming and fishing abound at all three areas. To reserve a camping spot in Crawford or Paonia, call 1-800678-2267, or go to the reservation section of the Colorado Parks and Reservation website, http://coloradostateparks. reserveamerica.com.

CRAWFORD RESERVOIR

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22 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

With 400 surface acres of water and 337 land acres of recreation area, Crawford Reservoir is popular with local fishermen, boaters, water skiers and campers. Picnic areas, over 60 campsites, nature trails, a swim beach and a playground can also be found at Crawford State Park. The park’s 6,600-foot elevation guarantees visitors a mild climate at any season. The spectacular north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is only 12 miles from the park. Nearby are Needle Rock, Castle Rock and Saddle Mountain. To get to Crawford Reservoir State Recreation Area, travel south of Crawford one mile on Hwy. 92.

PAONIA STATE PARK

Paonia State Park is located in the shadow of the majestic Ragged Mountains, about 16 miles northeast of Paonia and five miles from Somerset on Hwy. 133. The steep mountainsides give this lake an alpine flavor. The 334-surface-acre reservoir offers water skiing, boating and fishing. There are no hiking trails at Paonia State Park, but during the summer months hikers will enjoy the trail systems in the Raggeds Wilderness Area nearby. Paonia State Park has 15 campsites, vault toilets and a concrete boat ramp. No drinking water is available, so be sure to bring your own.

SWEITZER STATE PARK

Located just one mile south of Delta on Hwy. 50, Sweitzer State Park is a day-use only area. Views of the majestic San Juans, the Uncompahgre Plateau, Grand Mesa and the West Elks can be enjoyed from shady picnic areas. Playground equipment and a sandy beach lie adjacent to a protected swim area. Sweitzer Lake is considered a good fishing spot for youngsters with catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, and carp. Sweitzer Lake is a catch and release only lake. A waterfowl area on the east end of the lake provides a haven for many native birds and migratory waterfowl.

WEST ELK SCENIC BYWAY The twin summits of Mount Sopris and the incomparable Black Canyon of the Gunnison anchor the ends of the West Elk Loop. Begin your journey in Hotchkiss and continue northeast along Highway 133 through Paonia and Somerset, a small mining community about 12 miles from Paonia. East of Somerset and just south of Paonia Reservoir is the intersection of Highway 133 and County Road 12. This is Kebler Pass, the road you’ll take if you want to complete the loop by visiting Crested Butte, Gunnison, the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crawford State Park and the old-west community of Crawford. Travel 10 miles north of Crawford to Hotchkiss to complete the loop. If you’re taking the spur to Carbondale, which does not again connect to the byway, continue along Highway 133 as it winds along Paonia Reservoir and the Raggeds Wilderness. The highway gradually rises to the 8,755-foot summit of McClure Pass and then quickly drops into the scenic Crystal Valley. For details, visit www.byways.org.

BLACK CANYON

Hidden away in western Colorado is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The dark depths of the canyon divide the park into two distinct areas. The south rim of the park is located 15 miles east of Montrose, via U.S. Hwy 50 and Hwy. 347, while the north rim is located 11 miles south of Crawford, via Hwy. 92 and the North Rim Road. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s uniquely spectacular and formidable landscape was slowly formed through erosion, as the Gunnison River cut through hard crystalline rock. This exceptional canyon is known as one of the narrowest and deepest in the world. In no other place on the continent can you find the combination of narrow openings, sheer walls, and dramatic depths. For information on fees, permits, camping and special events, or to view online maps, visit the Black Canyon National Park’s website at www.nps.gov/blca/.

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide —23

FARM FRESH

Fruit ranching was one of the first commercial endeavors to take hold in Delta County in the decades following settlement. While there are fewer producing orchards than there once were, harvestime still means mouth-watering cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches and apples. Roadside stands, farmers’ markets and u-pick orchards feature the freshest locally grown fruits and vegetables. Look for sweet cherries around the end of June, pie cherries from late July through mid-August, peaches during the month of August and apples from late August through frost. Paonia celebrates Cherry Days on the 4th of July; AppleFest takes place in Cedaredge annually on the first weekend in October. Then there’s the Olathe Sweet™ Sweet Corn Festival on Aug. 6 featuring — you guessed it — all the butter-covered ears of locally grown sweet corn you care to eat. Just about every community hosts a farmers’ market. In Delta, growers offer their products every Wednesday and Saturday morning beginning around 8 a.m. in the parking lot at the corner of 5th and Meeker, near the Delta Fire Station. As you drive through the North Fork Valley, you’ll find fruit and vegetable stands (often organic) located right on the local farms and orchards. You’ll have your choice of the freshest, most delicious fruits, vegetables, jams, herbs, eggs, lavender and flowers. The local vineyards also sell directly from their well-stocked cellars. The biggest Farmers’ Market each year happens during the Mountain Harvest Festival at Paonia Town Park from Sept. 22-25. Winemakers throughout Delta County and in Olathe offer opportunities for tastings and tours. Relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the unhurried pace of western Colorado. If you visit in September, you may be fortunate enough to witness — or help with — the grape harvest. Check out the map on page 5 for a partial list of wineries, breweries and distilleries in the area. A Farm Fresh Guide to Delta County Fruits & Vegetables can be found on page 9 of this publication.

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COLORADO CROP CALENDAR

Colorado Department of Agriculture

Rocky Mountain Inn Your Private Oasis in the Heart Of Paonia

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24 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

rockymountaininn.net Reservations: (970) 527-3070

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 25

n ROAD BIKING

Grand Mesa/DAMB

BIKING

Delta’s trails and peaceful, backcountry roads provide a multitude of options for bikers of all ages and abilities. These mountain bike routes are recommended by the DAMB (Delta Area Mountain Bikers): While single track trails are planned for the future of this beautiful high desert area east of Delta on 5th Street, mountain bikers can take advantage of historic jeep trails, which now see little use by motorized vehicles. One of the favorite rides in this area is an out and back ride to what is called Hypodermic Point by the locals. This ride can begin at any point on the Escalante Rim Road, then north on the jeep road that follows Negro Gulch, to the end point above the Gunnison River, with grand views of the valley below and Grand Mesa and the West Elks in the distance. While technically easy, this loop is physically challenging. The rider can start at the upper parking lot on the north end of the Gunnison Gorge NCA, or in the Cottonwood camping area on River Road. The loop climbs to the top of Smith Mountain, and the rider has options from there to continue on the Smith Mountain jeep trail to the north, or take the shorter, but steeper, descent along the Powerline jeep road, and back to the start. A map is available for viewing at the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce. A big draw for mountain bikers who like to be challenged is the increasingly famous Sidewinder Trail, east of Delta in the Gunnison Gorge NCA. While this trail is rated difficult for most of its length, the north end, particularly that area that intersects the Powerline jeep road, is more moderate, and a good place to test your mettle. While the entire trail is 22 miles in length, most riders prefer to take a section at a time, using intersecting jeep roads to return to base. Find a trail map at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nca/ggnca.html.

EASY: ESCALANTE RIM, LOWER SAWMILL MESA

MODERATE: SMITH MOUNTAIN LOOP

DIFFICULT: SIDEWINDER TRAIL

26 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

Needle Rock Loop is one of the best-loved road bike routes in the North Fork. It starts in downtown Paonia and heads over to Crawford for a spin near the iconic volcanic formation that gives the route its name. From Paonia, follow 1st Street onto Mathews Lane and out of town. In about 2 miles, make a left onto Crawford Road, gradually ascending on rolling hills across farmlands and ‘dobies all the way to Hwy. 92. Make a left turn onto 92 and ride into Crawford. Just before the post ofﬁce, turn left onto Dogwood Avenue which will lead seamlessly into Needle Rock Road and then 4200 Road. The road ends at a “T” with Cottonwood Creek Road. Make a left and start a 4-mile scenic downhill run back to the intersection with Crawford Road. At the “Y” intersection, bear right and retrace the route back to Paonia. Total: 32 miles and about 1,900 feet of climbing. From Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta, bicyclists can take Main Street south to 1600 Road. At the “Y” before 1600 heads uphill, bear left onto D-25 Road, which will lead onto Ash Mesa Road. Take Ash Mesa to B Road then left onto 1600 Road, which becomes 5500 Road in Montrose County. Take 5500 all the way to Hwy. 348 where you turn right. Stay on 348 for just over 2 miles, until it curves to the right and heads down a short hill. At the bottom (1/4 mile) is Cedar Road. Turn left to take this scenic loop west of Pea Green. Take Cedar to Banner, then right on Banner past 348 all the way to 5400 Road (it becomes 1500 Road in Delta County). Take 1500 to D Road and take a right. Almost immediately, make a left onto Old Wagon Road, which will wind its way to Hwy. 348. A right onto 348 will lead you back to Delta. Total miles: 27 with 607 feet of climbing. Pioneer Town in Cedaredge is the starting point for an 18-mile ride to Fruitgrowers Reservoir. Go south on Hwy. 65 to Eckert. Turn right on North Road, continue west for 1 mile to Running Deer Road and turn left. Follow Running Deer Road for 2.5 miles to Hwy. 65. Turn right and take your first left at Vista Grande Road (0.2 miles). After 1 mile, take 2100 Road left back to Hwy. 65. Turn right and return to Eckert. Turn left on North Road for 0.2 mile and turn right on Happy Hollow Road (second road on right). Follow this road all the way to SW 11th (3.8 miles). SW 11th will take you back to Hwy. 65. Turn left and return to Pioneer Town. Check out more routes on Delta County’s website, www.deltacounty.com, under the Interactive Maps tab.

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A publication of the Delta County Independent 401 Meeker, Delta (970) 874-4421 Visit us at www.deltacounty independent.com

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PAONIA MUSEUM AND HOTCHKISSHISTORIC BOWIE SCHOOLHOUSE CRAWFORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Stepping into the Paonia Museum and Historic Bowie Schoolhouse gives you a real feel of pioneer life. The museum is housed in the Parks family residence, which was built in 1904. As you stroll through the parlor, bedrooms, dining room and kitchen, you’ll see many beautiful items used in homes of that era, as well as a desk from the former Paonia Hotel, a beautifully crafted cash register from The Mercantile, and a switchboard from the town’s original telephone company. The kitchen and dining room are appointed with appliances and fine china. Children’s toys, period clothing, and a display of miniature horseshoe nail sculptures capture the imagination. There’s a coal stove from a cherry picker’s cabin on Pitkin Mesa. An ice box contains a cold water reservoir. The Chamberlain family’s electric washing machine was the first in town. On the same property is the two-room Bowie Schoolhouse which served the children of the Bowie coal miners. The classrooms are filled with desks from that era along with yearbooks. A map shows the many schools in the Upper North Fork Valley in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Paonia Museum and Historic Bowie Schoolhouse are located on Grand Avenue adjacent to the Paonia River Park, with trails along Minnesota Creek and the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The museum is open Wednesday-Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Extended hours will take effect Memorial Day. Call Judy Livingston at 970-5273970 for more information and summer hours.

DELTA COUNTY MUSEUM

Since the Delta County Historical Society was organized 50 years ago, it has received and catalogued almost 20,000 artifacts. Among the noteworthy exhibits at the Delta County Museum, located at 251 Meeker Street in Delta, are artifacts relating to the 1893 robbery of the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Delta, a world-class display of butterflies and moths, collected around the world, a diorama-type exhibit of two early stores in Delta, Renfrow’s and Schmidt Hardware, and a collection of dinosaur bones found in the Dry Mesa Quarry outside of Delta. Step into the courtyard to view the 1890 Delta city jail, an old homestead cabin, and a collection of 10 bells representing school, railroad, church and ship-related bells. The museum also includes an exhibit of cameras, an eight-foot-long case clock that once stood in the palace of King Louis XIV of France, and a King’s Robe, a gift from the King of Siam (c1860) to the father of Mary Adele (Bradley) Blachly for his medical and missionary service to the king. Mary Adele Blachly was the wife of the bank cashier killed by the McCarty gang during the 1893 robbery. For those interested in research, the museum contains the county’s only microfilm file of all the newspapers which have been published in Delta County since 1883. There are many other surprises to discover when you visit the museum at the corner of 3rd and Meeker. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be reached by calling 970-874-8721. 28 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide

The Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum, located at Second Street and Hotchkiss Avenue, has several new exhibits showcasing the volunteer fire departments, local clubs and organizations, and an oldtime doctor’s office. Also on display are enlarged photographs from the Danny Cotten collection, a chuck wagon, an exhibit of local fashions, a parlor setting, a Victorian doll house, a turn-of-the-century general store and an exhibit about the telephone company. You’ll find arrowheads and other Native American artifacts. A pioneer cabin is accessed from the museum. It was originally built in the 1890s and is fully furnished. The complex also includes a bookstore, the Jacob Hoover Cowen Herbarium, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars meeting room and a pioneer cabin. The Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum is open Friday through Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. from May until Labor Day, and Saturday afternoons during the winter. For more information or visits by appointment, call the museum at 970872-3780 or visit hchm.freehostia.com or Facebook. Call Kathy McKee at 970-8723366 with questions about the museum’s research sources, or Marilyn Tate at 970872-3693 if you are interested in books about the colorful history of the North Fork Valley, Smith Fork Valley and surrounding areas.

CHURCH DIRECTORY Your Guide to Delta County Houses of Worship

DELTA CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH (SBC)

1290 A St. • Delta • 970-874-9497 www.calvarydelta.org office@calvarydelta.org Sunday Bible Study 9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY

751 Meeker St. • Delta • 874-8083 Sunday: Bible Lesson Sermon 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Testimony Meeting 7:00 p.m. Child Care Provided • Everyone Welcome ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST

1061 Meeker St. • P.O. Box 23 • Delta CofChrist.org • 970-835-3030 Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

DELTA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Reaching the children and youth of Western Delta County I Rd. & 1600 Rd. • North Delta • 874-4322 Worship 10:00 a.m. Children’s Church Age 3 thru 5th grade Childcare - (infant thru preschool) all services www.deltachristianchurch.org ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH & TINY TREASURES TODDLER PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN

1000 Pioneer Road, Delta, CO (970) 874-3052 Reverend Kurt A. Van Fossan Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Bible Class, Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Missouri Synod www.deltalutheran.org

CEDAREDGE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

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ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE ORTHODOX

298 Bert Street, Delta, CO • (970) 874-5225 Father Daniel Jones Saturday Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Please call for feast day services schedule

5th & Meeker, Delta, CO • (970) 874-9501 church@deltamethodist.org Pastor Carol Rhan Contemporary Worship Service 8:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. • NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE •

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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DELTA

1250 Pioneer Rd. • Delta • 874-3847 Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Wed. AWANA Club (Sept.-April) 6:00 p.m. First Saturday Night Live (grades 9-12) 7:00 p.m.

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GARNET MESA BAPTIST CHURCH

863 “A” Street • Delta • 874-4837 Pastor Jerry Hilterbrand Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Services 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Family Night 7:00 p.m. Independent Baptist

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1596 S.W. 9th St. • Cedaredge • 856-3586 Bob Hillyer, Senior Pastor; Eric Musil, Youth Pastor Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 10:10 a.m. email: cedarag15@gmail.com www.cedarag.org ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

CEDAREDGE COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

5th & Palmer St. • Delta Fr. Tom Seibert • Rector’s Study 874-9489 Holy Eucharist and Sunday School (Sunday) 10:15 a.m. Order of St. Luke & Healing Service First Monday each month 5:00 p.m.

3rd & Aspen (P.O. Box 369) Cedaredge, CO 81413 970-856-3696 • cedaredgecumc@tds.net Adult & Children Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Praise & Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Time following service Youth Group 4:00 p.m. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

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ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

628 Meeker St. • Delta • 874-3300 Fr. Albeiro Herrera-Ciro Deacon Price Hatcher Saturday English Mass 5:00 p.m. Spanish Mass 7:00 p.m. Sunday English Mass 10:00 a.m. Spanish Mass 12:00 noon

ECKERT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

13025 Highway 65, Eckert, CO 81418 Pastor Jo DeVinny • (970) 835-3441 Adult Bible Study Class Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Church School for all ages www.eckertpresbyterianchurch.com

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SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

DELTA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SURFACE CREEK

763 Meeker St. • Delta Pastor Seth Coridon • 874-9482 • 210-3398 Sabbath School Saturday 9:20 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

ST. PHILIP BENIZI CATHOLIC CHURCH

290 N.W. Cedar Ave., Cedaredge, CO 81413 970-856-6495 Rev. Albeiro Herrera-Ciro Sunday Mass 8:00 a.m. Tuesday Adoration 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m. Tuesday Mass 6:00 p.m.

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SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

NORTH FORK

290 S.W. 2nd Ave. • Cedaredge Pastor Seth Coridon • 210-3398 Sabbath School Saturday 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:50 a.m.

HOTCHKISS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

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Pastor Jake DeField 203 W. Main St. • Hotchkiss • 970-872-3313 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Sunday Evening 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Awana 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Adult Bible 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Youth Group 7:00 p.m.

SURFACE CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH

21987 Austin Rd. • Austin Pastor John Copper • 970-250-4798 Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Home Bible Studies Call for information

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HOTCHKISS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2nd & Orchard • Hotchkiss • 872-3540 Rev. Tonya Wahley • 872-4881 Children’s & Adults’ Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Nat’l Historical Register Site

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IGLESIA DE JESUCRISTO

Nueva Esperanza 1061 Meeker St. • Delta Saturdays (Sabado) 6:00 p.m. Bilingual Servicio Informacion: 303-834-0306 or 720-434-3401 ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

MOUNTAIN VIEW BIBLE CHURCH

871 3100 Rd. (P.O. Box 74), Lazear, CO • 872-2139 Pastor Jim Jesser Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Service 11:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Service 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer 7:00 p.m.

Delta County places of worship welcome you. Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 29

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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DELTA

4th and Meeker • Delta • 874-4893 Rev. Cathy Hamrick Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Child Care Available

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SADDLE MOUNTAIN FELLOWSHIP 3842 Stearman Lane • Crawford, CO 81415 970-921-5673 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Fellowship Sunday Worship

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2016-17 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE 2

AUGUST

Chapel of the Cross concerts begin, Cedaredge Thursdays at 7, Sundays at 4, deltacountyindependent.com Gears & Beers Festival, Paonia, paoniachamber.com Apple Blossom Bike Ride, appleblossomride.com Celebrate Cedaredge, cedaredgechamber.com Thunder Mountain 5k Fun Run/Walk, cedaredgechamber.com W. Slope Conservancy Center Float/Fest, paoniachamber.com Fort Uncompahgre opens, fortuncompahgre.org Outdoor Heritage Day, cityofdelta.net Downtown DeltaFest, deltacolorado.org Edge of the Cedars Art Exhibit, cedaredgechamber.com

3-4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 9-12

Crawford Pioneer Days: June 9-12 Old-fashioned melodrama, baking contest, auction, arts and crafts booths, food, live musical entertainment, parade, outhouse races, dance and ﬁreworks. crawfordcountry.org 17-18 17-19 17-19 21 25 25

Relay For Life, Delta High School North Fork Uncorked, westelksava.com Delta Fine Arts Annual Show, deltaﬁneartsguild.org 101st Army Band Concert, cedaredgechamber.com Night on the Town, pioneertown.org Summer Concert, DeltaSummerConcertSeries.wordpress.com

JULY Paonia Cherry Days: July 1-4 Downtown Days, entertainment, live music, pancake breakfast, parade, family/class reunions, kids’ games, arts and crafts booths, coal shoveling contest, rodeo, 5k paoniacherrydays.com 25th anniversary of Conﬂuence Park, cityofdelta.net American Hero Parade/Festival, cedaredgechamber.com Fireworks - Conﬂuence Park, Delta Lavender Festival, Palisade/Paonia, coloradolavender.org Rock the Canyon Motorcycle Rally, crawfordchamber.org

2 2 4 8-10 8-10

Deltarado Days: July 14-17 Rodeo, farmer/rancher appreciation lunch, parade, Cleland Park activities, horseshoe tournament, street dance, beer garden, music, tractor pull, car shows, barbecues deltacolorado.org 21-24 23 23 28-31

Top O’ The Rockies BMW Motorcycle Rally, Paonia Ice Cream Social, pioneertown.org Summer Concert, DeltaSummerConcertSeries.wordpress.com International Serenity Run, Cedaredge

Over 30 Years Commercial Real Estate Experience

Specializing In: � Business Sales & Consulting � Commercial Investments � Mixed Use Commercial Sales � Retail, Ofﬁce & Industrial Leasing � Restaurants, Inns, Mountain Lots & More � Development Sales & Management � Conﬁdential Listings

4 5-7 6

Pickin’ in the Park, Paonia, pickinproductions.com West Elks Wine Trail), westelksava.com Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, olathesweetcornfest.com Delta County Fair: August 6-13 Agricultural displays, livestock sale, Heritage Hall exhibits, demolition derby, ATV race, team roping, mutton bustin’, royalty, parade, barbecues and live music deltacountyindependent.com

11 11 11 12-13 13 18 25 27

Downtown DeltaFest, deltacolorado.org Pickin’ in the Park, Paonia, pickinproductions.com Thunder Mountain Brews & Blues Fest, Cleland Park, Delta Farm to Fiddle Festival, Hotchkiss Summer Concert, DeltaSummerConcertSeries.wordpress.com Pickin’ in the Park, Paonia, pickinproductions.com Pickin’ in the Park, Paonia, pickinproductions.com Celebrate the Fork, Hotchkiss, northforkcreative.org

SEPTEMBER 3-5 Labor Day Trap Shoot, Delta, deltatrapclub.org 8 Downtown DeltaFest, deltacolorado.org 22-25 Mountain Harvest Festival, Paonia, mountainharvestfestival.com 25 Color Sunday, deltacountyindependent.com 29 Chili cook-off, Cedaredge, cedaredgechamber.com 30 Golden Gala, Cedaredge, cedaredgechamber.com OCTOBER AppleFest: October 1-2 Apples, music, food, art, classic car show, antique tractor show, baking contest, 5k, Pioneer Town activities, 150 booths along the streets and in Cedaredge Town Park. cedaredgechamber.com NOVEMBER 5 25

Hard Cider Festival, Paonia, deliciousorchards.com Crawford Town Lighting, crawfordchamber.org

DECEMBER 2 3 TBA

Parade of Lights, Delta, deltacolorado.org Parade of Lights, Cedaredge, cedaredgechamber.com Blue Sage Holiday Art Fair, Paonia, bluesage.org

WINTER/SPRING

2017

Ice ﬁshing/sled dog races, Grand Mesa, cedaredgechamber.com Eckert Crane Days, blackcanyonaudubon.org Spring Expo, deltacolorado.org Sheep Camp Dog Trials, Hotchkiss, hotchkisschamber.com ��

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Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s Guide — 31

Stay Close to Home and Family,

We are Here for Your Health

E M E R G E N C Y D E PA R T M E N T (970) 874-2222 DCMH URGENT CARE (970) 874-7696 D C M H FA C I L I T I E S Internal Medicine Associates • Premier Women’s Healthcare of Delta DCMH Primary Care - Family Practice • Grand Mesa Oncology Center DCMH Family Medicine - Delta & Hotchkiss • Grand Mesa Rheumatology Center Delta-Montrose Home Health Services • DCMH Urgent Care SERVICES OFFERED Inpatient & Outpatient, Same Day Surgery • Medical and Intensive Care • Clinical Laboratory Stork’s Landing (Labor & Delivery) • Physical & Occupational Therapy • Endoscopy Services Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation • Registered Dietician / Diabetes Educator Radiology - CT Scan, PET-CT, MRI, X-ray, Bone Density, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Digital Mammography Annual Health Fairs held in Delta County communities

Designated in the Top 20 Rural Community Hospitals in the Nation by NRHA www.deltahospital.org 970.874.7681 32 — Delta County Independent 2016 Visitor’s •Guide

• 1501 East 3rd Street • Delta, CO 81416