Gunnison Country Magazine 2010

G U N N I S O N • C R E S T E D B U T T E • MT. C R E S T E D B U T T E • A L MO N T • L AK E C I T Y

LAND RICH WITH LEGACY INSIDE:

Calendar of Events • Dining & Lodging Guides COMPLIMENTARY

The Gunnison Country is still filled with wide open spaces

Welcome to the Gunnison Country!

Own Your Own Ponderosa

Pristine, 160 acres, fenced & completely surrounded by National Forest. Home, guest cabins, equipment shop, riding arena and much more. 45 minutes from airport, year round mountain retreat for the avid outdoors family. Oered at $1,650,000.

Gunnison River Home

Ohio Creek V alley

Phenomenal Gunnison River 2.28 acres, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, one-level home plus 780 sq. ft. log garage with guest quarters!

Incredible price at only $595,000!

35 acre home site provides this spectacular view & more, irrigated hay meadow, tall cottonwood trees, & ďŹ shing rights on Ohio Creek. Great for horses and families! Now oered at $389,000.

Creekfront Custom Home & Barn On 8.8 acres, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths with over 3900 sq ft, & huge barn. No covenants & only 15 minutes to Gunnison! Now priced at $775,000.

Tomichi Creek Home Sites Que Qua Condo 3 bedrooms, 3 baths & attached 1-car garage with room for golf cart. Tastefully remodeled with new paint, carpeting, and lighting throughout. Oered at $275,000.

Tucked beneath Hartman Rocks 20 new home sites oer access to Tomichi Creek & Dos Rios Golf Course. Underground utilities, roads, ponds, and individual irrigation to each site. Introductory pricing from $129,500.

Prime Developement Property Fronting Highway 50, corners the Front 9 at Dos Rios Golf Course, prime, 2.3 acre parcel has tall cottonwoods & underground utilities.

t XXX .JOEZ-BOE DPN

Mountain Meadows Mall 4 commercial retail units oering 4300 sq ft all part of a 3 building, 17 unit retail complex located in a high traďŹƒc area next to City Market. With an excellent rental history and two long-term lease tenants, this is a great opportunity. Oered at $750,000.

Mt. Crested Butte Home Site Year-round .67 acre home site. Surrounded by million dollar homes, very close to the ski area, in Elk Run Subdivision, and isolated from the road. Oered at $390,000.

Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting “The Gateway to Taylor Canyon”

Whitewater and Scenic Raft Trips

Riverfront Cabins • Vacation Homes • Lodge Rooms

Fly Fishing Trips

Cabins for Sale!

Visit our web site or office to find out how you can own a cabin in the Rockies.

Duckie Trips and Kayak Lessons

• Year Round Use • Protective Covenants • Rental Management • Access to Resort Amenities

Visit our General Store for: Groceries, Gift Shop, Paddle Shop, Fly Fishing Shop, Restaurant

Let us book all of your vacation activities: Horseback Riding, 4WD Tours, Rock Climbing and more!

Our Smokehouse offers homemade food and BBQ from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Three meals a day plus beer and wine served on our fun outdoor patio!

Watch for live entertainment on the patio.

Located 10 miles north of Gunnison on Cty. Rd. 742 in Almont (970) 641-1303 or 1-888-761-FISH (3474) www.3riversresort.com

F

Connected by a love of this land

or me, there’s nothing more rejuvenating and uplifting than spending a little — or a lot — of time being outside recreating.

Away from the computer. Not thinking about the news of the day. The controversy of the moment. The tasks of tomorrow.

I also am heartened by what I see as a unifying quality those outdoor pursuits have on us as a community. And I don’t just mean for those of us fortunate enough to call Gunnison Valley home. That also goes for the broader community of visitors and part-time residents who come here to spend some time — those of you who remind us what a special place this is.

As I see it, a love of the Gunnison Basin — be it the high peaks, the open spaces, the trails or the trout-filled streams and lakes — is truly a common denominator that we all share. It connects us.

Sure, we all have our differences. The Gunnison Basin is, like most communities, made up of people of very different backgrounds and who have disparate priorities. We too have stark political divisions. But when we exchange the board rooms for the backcountry, those differences tend to melt away.

“Wow. What a beautiful day,” someone will remark to a passerby, familiar or not.

“It sure is. Enjoy.”

Where else but, say, the ski slopes can people of such wide differences — economically, socially, politically — meet up to have a little fun in the sun (or, better yet, powder) together? I happen to know a strong proponent of mining — which is one of this valley’s most perpetually controversial issues — who has had more days on the mountain (CBMR) than most staunch mining opponents ever will. Just having that in common can’t hurt.

We hope this magazine offers a glimpse of what it is that we all love, and share, about the Gunnison Country. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of the great advertisers who make this publication possible and who, more importantly, are here to serve you and make your stay more enjoyable.

Cheers.

-Chris Dickey editor

Inside A lasting legacy .. 13-15 Gunnison’s grand matriarch, Grandma Lena, lived to be 107. Every one of those years was filled with family, love and laughter ... and lots of good food.

Development done right .. 18-23 Eagle Ridge Ranch was at the forefront of the “smart growth” movement.

Trail talk .. 30 World-renowned mountain biker Dave Wiens tells us why there’s no better place to ride than right here.

Get funky .. 35-39 Crested Butte is known for its fun festivals. Here’s a look at what makes them so unique.

Drowned ranches .. 42-47 Sapinero was once home to traditional ranches and thriving tourist resorts. That was before Blue Mesa Reservoir.

The ‘Birds of Blue Mesa’ .. 54-55 Photographer Dan Cress used to hunt. Now it doesn’t matter how many times he shoots his subjects.

All in the family .. 56-61 Western State College has developed one of the most tradition-rich wrestling programs in the country. Tick checks and sunscreen are part of the reason why.

Lost boy .. 81-88 Kent Strickland made one very wrong turn while skiing at Monarch Mountain. Cool thinking kept the mistake from turning tragic.

4 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

COUPON

10 FLIES FOR $12.00

(Save $6.99 from our already discounted prices)

Limit 12 Flies per coupon. Limit one coupon per customer per visit. May not be combined with any other coupon or promotion.

FLY SELECTION FROM OUR PREMIUM FLY BINS ONLY. SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY. COUPON

58

19 ce n si t es W od a or ol C g Stockin

sporting goods Ăˆ{£‡£n{xĂŠUÊÓä£Ê7°Ê/œ“ˆVÂ…ÂˆĂŠ Ă›i° ĂœĂœĂœÂ°}i˜iĂŒ>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ°Vœ“

New Outlet Store

Fishing Guide Service Blue Mesa Boat Trips Gunnison River Float Trips Walk & Wade Guides Fishing • Camping Hunting • Athletics Clothing • Footwear T-Shirts

Great Bargains & Close Out Prices On Winter & Summer Items Save up to 80%

86%()67 6)2()>:397 ;)78 831-',- %:)29) +922-732

“Colorado’s Largest Display of Mounted Trophies & Antlers�

Photo by Susan Purvis

ocal The L OP�

O SH on T O G “ rmati o f n i for

COUPON

COUPON SPECIAL

+-*87 ˆ 739:)2-67 ˆ 8 7,-687 ˆ ;)78)62 '300)'8-&0)7 ˆ +927 ˆ ,928-2+ %2( *-7,-2+ 0-')27)7 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 5

T

he Gunnison County Pioneer and Historical Society had its beginning in 1880 with the early pioneers who settled in the Gunnison Valley. The Pioneer Society was reorganized and incorporated as a non-proďŹ t organization in 1930.

From its very beginning the society stated its interest in preserving the history of the pioneers of Gunnison County and by 1964 the Pioneer Museum was ďŹ nally begun.

The board of the Society oversees the operation of the Museum which is staffed mostly by senior volunteers. These volunteers are happy to answer your questions as you browse the exhibits at your own pace.

6 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

The Museum grounds, its 18 buildings, the artifacts and memorabilia that make up the many displays have been donated

8,) 197)91 -7 34)2 1E] XS 7ITXIQFIV 1SRHE] 7EXYVHE] E Q XS T Q 7YRHE] E Q XS T Q %(1-77-32 %HYPXW ˆ 'LMPHVIR %KIW *36 %((-8-32%0 -2*361%8-32 GEPP

SV ZMWMX YW SR XLI [IF EX

[[[ 4MSRIIV8VEMR1YWIYQ SVK

by generous members and friends of the Society. Most of the items on display date back to the early settlers. The Museum’s collections truly represent the cultural history and heritage of the people of Gunnison County.

In addition to the Museum, the Pioneer Society also owns the Aberdeen Quarry which is located on Beaver Creek just a few miles from Gunnison. Granite from this quarry was used in building the Colorado State Capitol. As part of the summer program at the Museum, jeep tours are scheduled to provide an opportunity to visit this historic site.

GUNNISON • CRESTED BUTT • E MT. C R E S T E D B U T T E • A L MO N T • L AK E C I T Y

>Wji 8eeji 9bej^_d] JWYa =_\ji LAND LEGACY RICH WITH

INSIDE:

Calendar of Events • Dining & Lodging Guides

(&& M$ Jec_Y^_ 7l[$" =kdd_ied /-& ,*'#,+,,

The Gunnison Country is still filled with wide open spaces

COMPLIMENTARY

About the cover:

GOODBYE TREELINE, HELLO ALPINЕ.

Perhaps the most impressive characteristic of a great photographer is making the ‘everyday’ scene seem extraordinary. This year’s cover shot is taken practically from photographer Allan Ivy’s front door, and in a spot that people constantly drive by on Hwy. 50. Yet it’s one of those sights that can be taken for granted, or overlooked entirely, until someone captures it with just the right lighting, just the right composition. Allan and his wife, Francie, own Mesa RV Resort just west of town. More of his work can be found at mesarvresort.com.

GCP

Gunnison Country Publications, LLC Publisher Managing Editor

Stephen J. Pierotti Chris Dickey

Advertising Leia Morrison, Drew Nelson Contributors Chris Rourke, Rick Besecker Will Shoemaker, Dave Pinkerton, Dawn Belloise, Matt Smith, Judy Buffingtion Sammons, Dan Cress, Luke Mehall, Larry Jensen, Kent Strickland Production Manager Online

Jennie Wren www.gunnisontimes.com

For more information regarding this publication or other special publications of Gunnison Country Publications, LLC, call 970.641.1414, or write drew@gunnisontimes.com Copyright© No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Copyright© 2010. No part may be transmitted in any form by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the publisher. Any work (written, photographic or graphic) which the publishers “hired-out” becomes the property of the publisher. Publisher accepts no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials lost or damaged.

113 N Main Gunnison, CO 81230 970.641.1551

merrell.com LET’S GET OUTSIDE

™

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 7

REACH NEW HEIGHTS AT THE

ADVENTURE PARK

Photos: Tom Stillo

Located at the ski base area, it features bungee trampolines, rock climbing tower and a new mini golf course.

#2%34%$ "544% !$6%.452% 0!2+

ridecb.com

Get everything from single activity tickets to a variety of packages at the Adventure Center in the courtyard at Mountaineer Square.

(970)349-2262 Private parties available, call for details.

Open daily 9:30 – 5:30 weather permitting.

@ejg`i\ pfli gXjj`fe%

TM

THE GUNNISON ROTARY PRESENTS:

THE

4

TH

OF

JULY

FIREWORKS “A FULL DAY OF FUN IN THE VALLEY” START HERE Town of Crested Butte Farmer’s Market 5th & Maroon • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Street Parade Elk Avenue • 11 a.m.

135 Gunnison Live Bands 12-4 IOOF Park • Foods • Games • Shopping

50

GUNNISON ROTARY CLUB www.GunnisonRotar

y.o

rg We currently meet ev ery Monday 12-1 at Aspinall Wilson Ce nter.

Legion & Jorgensen Parks

Tomichi Avenue

FOOD LIVE COURTS BANDS THE

BEER GARDEN 4-9 p.m.

with

featuring The Bruce Hayes Band

5-9 p.m.

S K R O W FIRE 9:15 p.m.

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 9

Finding the light Chris Rourke Chris Rourke has had a camera in her hand ever since she can remember. It was her parents who gave her the first of many “real” cameras, a Pentax K-1000, that have been faithful friends through many seasons of life.

With the dawning of the digital age, Chris continues to have camera in hand to photograph the many places and faces in the Gunnison Valley — both as a freelance photographer for the Gunnison Country Times and an independent wildlife/landscape artist.

Chris makes it her goal to find the light in what she photographs — be it the brightness of the sun that falls on a hillside, or the heroism that is born out of tragedy.

After a 10-year stint in the radio and TV news industry in the Midwest, Chris enrolled in the Biblical training program at Camp Gunnison, where she met her husband, Kevin. They have two children, Shaughn and Abby.

If you are interested in more of Chris’ work, you can go to her website, www.chrisrourkephotography.com, or to the Times’ photo website at www.photos.gunnisontimes.com. She also sells matted and framed photos and note cards in downtown Gunnison shops, such as Our Place and the Bookworm.

10 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Continued on page 11 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 11

38TH ANNUAL

CRESTED BUTTE ARTS FESTIVAL

HIGH ALTITUDE

2010

visual · performing · culinary arts saturday

july 31

originality

sunday

august 1

new this year

Peter P etter K Karner arner · Ceramics Ceramiics

The CBAF incorporates the culinary arts in 2010 with a variety of Tate Hamilton · Painting gastronomic indulgences.

Larry Fielder · Mixed Media Join us for a very special kick-off dinner featuring five of Colorado’s hottest chefs, FIVE™ (www.denverfive.com) and enjoy five courses and five phenomenal wines on Friday, July 30th. The culinary arts permeate the festival with unique seminars like “The Art of the Martini” and “BBQ, Bourbon & Beer” plus FREE chef demonstrations and tastings in our state of the art outdoor kitchen, complete with Viking appliances and equipment.

185 Juried Artists

art alley

festival - historic elk avenue

Culinary Demo Tent Art Demo Tent Festival Art Auction Childrens Art Alley Musical Entertainment After Hours Events

Dusty Demerson photo

community outreach

A non profit organization, the CBAF enhances community life with art education and outreach programs throughout the year and by providing artists and art organizations financial assistance through our annual grant cycle.

www.crestedbutteartsfestival.org

Lena Costanzo was always touched by the affection that was shown to her, and she always reciprocated with unbridled love. This photo is from a large, community celebration at her 106th birthday in February 2009.

Photo by Chris Rourke

Grandma Lena’s

graceful elegance

(Editor’s Note: A few days before we went to press on this year’s Gunnison Country Magazine, we received word that Lena Costanzo, age 107, had died in the Gunnison Health Care Center. We still wanted to share this story with you, because hers was a long, healthy and happy life — filled with plenty of hard work, delicious home-cooked meals, laughter, friends and, always, family. Remarkable indeed, and worth celebrating here.)

by Rick Besecker

I

n 1903, the year that Lena Costanzo took her first peek at the world, the average life expectancy was 48 years — or a mere 17,520 days.

This past February, “Grandma Lena” gracefully

celebrated her 39,055 day on earth (107 years), and the world was made a better place by being graced by the elegance of her presence for such a wonderfully long time.

You couldn’t help but be taken in with her radiant smile. Then, after you visited for a while, you discovered an immeasurable wealth of wisdom, intellect, sophistication and passion.

Her delight for people had no boundaries. She said, “I can’t really think of anyone I dislike.”

Back when Lena first graced us with her presence, Henry Ford was showcasing his first Model A, the French were excited about their first Tour de France and Orville and Wilbur were sorting through leftover bicycle parts in the hopes of developing something that would give them a lift. As a matter of fact, Lena was

already 10 months old when their strange looking bird actually launched skyward (kind of) for a noteworthy 12 seconds.

Some agree that Sicily set the world standards for celebrating family unity and traditions, especially in the early 20th century.

Survival of the family, as well as the individual members, depended on such values; a tradition established by design and by necessity. Selfpreservation was an acquired characteristic, even at an unfathomable young age.

When Lena was 5, news came that her father had become suddenly ill and was bedridden at her grandmother’s house on the other side of the village, Santa Ninfa. The women were Continued on page 14

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 13

overwhelmed with panic and the sensation of urgency persuaded them to rush from the house. Little Lena soon became aware that she was the only one in the house. In their rush, the ladies inadvertently left Lena to her own devise.

So she began to make her way the great distance to her grandmother’s house alone.

She cut across a section of town that the other girls would always avoid. With the Lord as her Shepherd, she arrived at the destination none the worse for wear. Everyone became paralyzed by the notion that such a small girl went such a distance by her lonesome, and then horrified at the discovery of the route she took.

No sooner had the small, precious girl arrived than her father passed, thus creating a void that the next century would never quite fill.

Prior to this traumatic event, Lena remembers being scolded for jumping up and down on her mother’s bed as her mom tried to rest.

Little could she understand that it was her mother’s death bed. Lena was age 2 and always remained uncertain why her mother had to go.

Although Lena believed late in life that sugar was an enemy to the young, she remembered enthusiastically saving an Italian coin called a “fifth of a cent” so she and the other girls could dash to the grocery store to purchase a paper-fold of the treat and indulge.

Bountifulness took on a new meaning when she arrived in America a few years later and discovered that every home had a bowl full of the delightful, granulated substance on the dining room table.

Lena’s grandparents understood that America promised opportunity to those who were willing to stand fast with ethical convictions. Such a concept encompassed hard labor. Each day was long and hard, but full of thanksgiving.

During my interview with Lena late in 2009, I was suddenly sobered by the realization that she was a little less than half the age of America. She could recall Civil War veterans reminiscing about a conflict that surely would be the last. Then, as Manfred Von Richthofen was anchoring a brief but noteworthy reputation as the Red Baron in the skies over France, Lena was a teenager. That was the first Great War, and surely the last.

The same year that the Titanic rubbed up against a rather large ice cube and turned itself into a submerged paperweight, Lena and her grandparents made their way from Sicily to America in a less elegant or famous vessel.

Times were tough and the food on the ship was incredibly unappealing — even for a 9-year-old girl. A Spanish lady took a shining to the small 14 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Lena Costanzo, left, with a relative of hers, circa 1919.

girl and shared what food that she had brought along; an act of kindness never forgotten.

Within a few days, New York Harbor was in view. After laying eyes on the majestic 25-yearold copper-clad lady from France, Lena and her grandparents were introduced to The Island of Tears. Ellis Island protocol dictated that 29 questions be posed and the responses assessed. The inquiries were designed to establish ethnicity, health, monetary solvability and trade skills. After about five hours, Lena and her grandparents were able to take in the fresh air of freedom and opportunity. No one said it was going to be easy.

Her family settled in a small village nestled in the mountains just a stone’s throw south of Canon City. Many Italians had made Williamsburg, Colo., their new home. The summers were hot like in the old country, but the winters brought unfamiliar snow.

Even before Lena became a teenager, she developed an uncanny ability to design and fashion dresses. Rags and leftover cloth that poor folks brought to her doorstep soon took on elegance and style. Lena became renowned for making magnificent creations from salvaged materials. This never brought riches to her, as she would only charge the small sum that she thought the immigrants could pay.

Demands for her services were never so evident as when the mumps placed Lena’s delicate existence in the hospital. Desperate patrons still brought meager scraps of cloth so that she might sew while she was bedridden.

Lena was eventually introduced to the public school system. Unfortunately, she was a third older than the rest of the first graders and the difference made her stand out and feel awkward. To further complicate things, she was still passionately attached to her native tongue, Italian. Her intelligence would prevail, however, and, in a short time, she advanced to where her true peers hung out.

It was a time of hard work and daily survival. Even as a teenager, Lena was focused on those things that would make each day possible for her family. Boys, dating, a first kiss and marriage were things that were to be considered some other day ... maybe.

That day came on Jan. 1, 1921, when Lena married Frank Costanzo. Her new husband was not fond of the idea of his bride making dresses any longer. Frank was an industrious man and had started a pool hall in Salida. But, while he was away on farm deliveries once a week, Lena would mind their store and quietly sew dresses without his knowledge.

It was a marvelous time of community gatherings and fellowship. She recalls that every Saturday night they would compensate a gifted piano player to drive from Cañon City and perform at their dance hall. Lena was responsible for collecting each five-cent fee, placed in a basket so that the gentlemen could dance a single dance with the young ladies. These were referred to as jitney dances.

A year later, business was slow and Frank was restless. Word had filtered over Marshall Pass that a railway worker needed a manager for a pool hall that he owned in Sargents. Soon a hand shake signified employment and a 20-year-old girl and her husband packed what they could in the back of their 1920 Dodge pickup and began the 12-hour journey over the unforgiving mule trail known as Monarch Pass. After managing the establishment for four days, Frank thought that he should own the place and another gentlemen’s agreement was solidified by another handshake.

Before long the pool hall also offered general dry goods and some groceries. Then a restaurant and hotel were purchased. Lena managed every facet of the hotel and restaurant. If she did not know before, she soon discovered that 24 hours were not enough in a day.

Lena had fond memories, however, of the hard-working gentlemen who maintained the rails as well as operated the noisy steam locomotives that ran through Sargents. She recalled washing and ironing white table linens each day. As the train whistle announced the arrival of the iron horse, this too would alert Lena to stoke the cook stove and set the tables, for an

inevitable stampede through the front doors was only moments away.

Coal dust, dirt and sweat coated the faces and clothes of those who entered. The men were eager to convince Lena that they were not comfortable with the brilliant table cloths — for they were certain to become soiled beyond recovery. Mrs. Costanzo insisted that the linen stay, so the workers were forced to reach a compromise; they brought their own Denver Post to drape under the place settings. Some 85 years later, the reflection of such regard still warmed Lena’s heart.

Frank Costanzo understood the plight of the narrow-gauge employees 30 years before Tennessee Ernie Ford sang about owing “your soul to the company store.” Knowing that the company store wouldn’t even cash their own employees’ checks, Frank developed a line of credit with the Gunnison Bank & Trust, and then cashed their checks knowing that they would probably spend some of it at his store.

Frank and Lena visited their Mother Land in 1934. When it became time to pack for the return to the United States, relatives were eager to tug on emotional ties that still remained and solicit them to move back to Sicily. Lena recalled that they had to pack the suitcases several times, because when their attentions were diverted for just a few minutes, relatives would unpack their belongings and place them back in the closets and dressers. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be with family,” she said.

According to records, Frank passed away on Aug. 22, 1974, and for the next 35 years there was not a day that Lena didn’t reflect on her love for her only knight in shining armor.

When I quizzed her about her age, she was generous enough to reflect: “When I turned 90, I thought that maybe I was beginning to get old, but now that I am 107, I’m not so sure.

I guess that living is just kind of like a habit by now.

“Grandmother maintained a healthy regiment of remedies, one of which was boiled dandelion juice,” she continued. “Each morning every child in the family was required to drink a glass full of the unsavory stuff. I never quite got used to that taste!”

When asked if she had any regrets, her face took on a puzzled appearance and she simply said, “No. It’s just stuff we all go through.”

Grandma Lena seemed mystified by the blessing of so many quality years. I, on the other hand, have a thought on how such an extraordinary existence took place. She was saturated with love to give and an endless eagerness to admire others. A more superlative application I cannot imagine. ■

our mission

Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP) is dedicated to providing local funding for breast cancer awareness, prevention, education, support, breast screenings and equipment.

Celebrating 5 years of Supporting the community! live and silent Auction and

concert

community helping the

100% of the dollars raised stays in the Gunnison Valley providing assistance in education, mammograms, ultrasounds and further diagnosis. As of March 2010 Cattlemen’s Days has paid out more then $121,176.

What: Live auction and concert with Nashville singer, songwriters Dean Dillon, Tim Nichols, Bob DiPiero and Scotty Emerick.

Pre-party starts at 6 p.m.

When: Tuesday, July 13, 7:45 p.m.

Where: Mountaineer Square, Mt. Crested Butte Cost: $60 ~ Tickets on sale at Interior Vision (970.349.5352) in Crested Butte and The Toggery (970.641.0844) and The Western World (970.641.6566) in Gunnison

As of March 2010 our program has provided: ~ Help for 5 Families of breast cancer survivors ~ 253 mammograms and ultra sounds ~ 13 biopsies We have awarded the Gunnison Valley Hospital $100,000 to upgrade to a digital technology platform.

$221,176 Total Paid Out to the Community.

howcan you

help?

Contact CATTLEMEN’S DAYS Tough Enough To Wear Pink to find out how you can support gunnison valley’s fight against breast cancer at cattlemensdays.com Concert info, additional ticket or sponsor information: Edie Gibson at 970.596.4458 or edieshu@gmail.com

Sponsorships and donations can be mailed to: write:

Cattlemen’s Days TETWP, P.O. Box 1203, Gunnison, CO 81230

Tough Enough to Wear Pink

Rodeo What: When: Where: Cost:

PRCA evening rodeo. TETWP Pink Night Thursday, July 15, 7 p.m.

Gunnison County Rodeo Grounds $15/Grandstand $12/General admission $2 of every ticket sold will be donated to TETWP

Tickets go on sale July 6 at the Western State ticket booth in front of Gunnison Bank & Trust in Gunnison for all rodeos.

July 15, 16, 17 at 7 p.m.

For more information on any of these events please visit www.gunnisontetwp.com www.gunnisontetwp.com

www.cattlemensdays.com 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 15

There are three guiding principles for the management of Eagle Ridge Ranch: agricultural production, enhanced wildlife carrying capacity and recreational use by the owners.

Courtesy photo

Development in disguise Eagle Ridge Ranch serves as model for continued ranching, wildlife preservation

by Will Shoemaker

A

l Sanderson steers his Chevy pickup along a winding road that climbs from the floor of the Ohio Creek Valley up into the clouds, through a sea of sage brush and past prime grazing pasture.

Most of the time, the manager of the Eagle Ridge Ranch has only his old dog Looper, who sits attentively on the armrest of the pickup, to keep him company.

Sanderson speaks in ranch-flavored aphorisms and with a drawl giving away that he’s spent his entire life in the rural American West. “I’ve lived up this valley since I was 11 years old, and I’m getting long in the tooth now,” he says with a hearty chuckle.

18 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

He passes a few large homes — the design of which seems strikingly at place in the middle of this ranch country — owned by folks who have made Eagle Ridge what it is. That is, much more than simply some of the most expansive, prime ranchland up the Ohio Creek Valley, about 8 miles northwest of Gunnison.

Cradled between the rugged West Elk range to the west, Anthracites to the north and straddling Ohio Creek, Eagle Ridge is in many ways a model development — proof that luxury homesites smack dab in the middle of ranchland don’t have to squander agricultural opportunity or wildlife habitat.

For that, Eagle Ridge has earned considerable attention. The development was

presented with the Gunnison Conservation District’s annual award as “Outstanding Conservationist” for 2009. It also won the first Governor’s Award for Smart Growth from the State of Colorado several years ago.

Today, 10 homes are built at the ranch, which utilizes a “shared ownership” concept for the total 4,900-acre property, in addition to 300 acres of state and 840 acres of BLM lands managed by Eagle Ridge.

There’s an equestrian center, 3-acre trout pond and “primitive” area of the ranch that offers prime big game hunting, complete with hunting cabins for use by homeowners.

Eagle Ridge has come a long way since Continued on page 21

606 6th Street • P.O. Box 1819 • Crested Butte, Colorado ph (970) 349–7487 • fax (970) 349–5626 • www.crestedbuttearts.org

Church Directory BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH

-4 #!,6!29 ,54(%2!. #(52#(

. 7ISCONSIN 3T s 7ORSHIP 3ERVICE AT A M A M Weekly ministries, Bible studies High school/junior high youth activities www.gunnisonbethany.com

. -AIN s s 2EV +ARL "OHMER 0ARKING LOT OFF 7ISCONSIN 3T BLOCK 7EST OF -AIN 3UNDAY 7ORSHIP A M s 2EFRESHMENTS SERVED AFTER CHURCH 3UNDAY SERVICE AT "LUE -ESA A M *UNE 3EPT

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

0 / "OX s s 0ASTOR #HRIS ,UEKENGA )NTERDENOMINATIONAL s WWW NEWSONGGUNNISON COM % .EW 9ORK IN "RUSHl RE BUILDING l RST BLOCK 3OUTH )OWA Summer schedule 9 a.m.

3EPT -AY 3UNDAY 3CHOOL A M 7ORSHIP A M

NEW SONG CHURCH %PISCOPAL s 7 6IRGINIA !VE s 2EV 7ILLIAM 7ALTZ &ATHER "ILL %DUCATION HOUR A M s 7ORSHIP 3ERVICE A M Crested Butte Sunday Services at 5 p.m. at Queen of All Saints 4UESDAY -ORNING %UCHARIST A M 3OPRIS !VE #RESTED "UTTE

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GUNNISON . )OWA s 3UNDAY -ORNING 7ORSHIP #HILDREN S 7ORSHIP A M 3UNDAY 7ORSHIP "ROADCAST ON +%** &- AND #ABLE CHANNEL www.gunnisoncommunity.com

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 6IRGINIA 3T AT 0INE s 3UNDAY "IBLE 3CHOOL A M s -ORNING 7ORSHIP A M 3HARE AND 0RAYER 3ERVICE P M 7EDNESDAY 'UNNISON "IBLE )NSTITUTE P M Ed Slaughenhaupt, Pastor

2)6%2 /& ,)&% &%,,/73()0 #OUNTY 2D s s 0ASTOR -IKE $ARNELL ONE MILE 7EST OF 'UNNISON ON THE HILL PAST THE TWIN BRIDGES 3UNDAY 7ORSHIP 3ERVICE A M 7EDNESDAY "IBLE 3TUDY P M

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 0ASTOR *OHN #LEMENT s ! 3PIRIT l LLED #HRISTIAN &AMILY #HURCH 3UNDAY 3ERVICE s #HILDREN S #HURCH s .URSERY s 3MALL 'ROUPS s -ID WEEK "IBLE STUDY Come see us at our new location .ORTH (WY 'UNNISON www.rmcmchurch.org

ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH THE GUNNISON CHURCH OF CHRIST % 6IRGINIA s s $ARRIN #OWGER -INISTER Welcomes you to Bible Classes and Worship Assemblies 3UNDAY "IBLE 3TUDY A M 7ORSHIP A M *ULY !UGUST A M P M .URSERY 0ROVIDED $URING 7ORSHIP 3ERVICE Birth Through 5 Years 7EDNESDAY "IBLE 3TUDY P M

'5..)3/. #/.'2%'!4)/.!, #(52#( 5## /PEN AND !Fl RMING *UST 0EACE %ARTH #OVENANT 3UNDAY 7ORSHIP 3ERVICE A M AT !SPINALL 7ILSON #ENTER 909 Escalante Drive, Gunnison 2EV "RENDA "ROWN s GCCOFl CE QWESTOFl CE NET s WWW GUNNISONUCC ORG #HURCH /Fl CE !DDRESS 7EST 4OMICHI

7ISCONSIN 'EORGIA s s &R 3TEVEN * -URRAY -ASS 3AT P M 3UN A M NOON 3PANISH 3UMMER 3CHEDULE #ALL FOR WEEKDAY -ASS TIMES 3T 2OSE OF ,IMA 3ILVER 3T ,AKE #ITY 3AT P M -ASS 1UEEN OF !LL 3AINTS TH AND 3OPRIS #RESTED "UTTE 3UN A M.

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH . 0INE s s 0ASTOR 7ILLIE )SAACSON 3UNDAY 7ORSHIP A M P M (ISPANIC 7ORSHIP 3ERVICE 3UNDAYS AT P M &AMILY "IBLE 3TUDY 3UNDAYS AT A M 0RAYER -EETING 7EDNESDAYS AT P M 9OUTH #HILDREN S !CTIVITIES 3UNDAYS AT P M 7EDNESDAYS AT P M 3ATURDAY .IGHT P M

Gunnison Area Churches Welcome You!

Ranch manager Al Sanderson and his trusty sidekick Looper.

Photo by Will Shoemaker

founders Lee and Gail Dusa first stumbled across the property in 1993. The Dusas were looking for a retirement home in the Rocky Mountains. They’d previously owned property in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

From that experience and their travels, the Dusas formed the opinion that largeparcel development often ruins the ability to continue ranching on land surrounding homes, as well as reducing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunity. In Colorado, 35-acre parcels can be developed outside of county or state review and are often the preferred route taken for luxury homesites near resort communities.

The Dusas had also learned that, as romantic as it may seem, running a ranch requires a great deal of responsibility and time.

They had some criteria they wanted to see met in the “ideal� spot chosen for the location of their retirement home. That included a good airport nearby; close proximity to a ski resort — but not too close; a college town nearby; views of snow-capped peaks; enough land to create recreation for themselves; and some kind of water on the property. “We happened to come to Gunnison the weekend of the high school homecoming parade,� Lee recalls. “It was one of the hokiest things you’ve ever seen in your life — and we were absolutely thrilled by it.�

Continued on page 22

4HEATRE !RT 'ALLERIES $ANCE AND !RTS %DUCATION 3PECIAL %VENTS 9EAR 2OUND

! t i o t n i t e g 3 -AIN 3T s 0 / "OX s 'UNNISON #/ &OR MORE INFORMATION GO TO

WWW GUNNISONARTSCENTER ORG Check us out on facebook!

Brought to you by the Gunnison Council for the Arts 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 21

Flower motor Dodge

Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo July 15, 16, 17 7 p.m. nightly

G u n n i s o n, c o

97 0- 641- 15 01 ww w. catt le me ns days .co m Friday July 9th

4-H Goat / Livestock Knowledge Test 4-H Horse Knowledge Test Kickoff Dinner and Dance Everyone’s Invited/ Fred R. Field Heritage Center

6:00 PM

4-H Horse Show

8:00 AM

Saturday, July 10th

Sunday, July 11th

Open Horse Show *New for 2009 Versatility Saddle Challenge

Monday July 12th

4-H Project Judging and Interviews 4-H Dog Obedience Show 4-H Participants set up Show Arena and Project Review 4-H Project Review

Tuesday, July 13th

5:00 PM

8:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM

4-H Rabbit and Poultry Show 8:30 AM 4-H Dairy Goat Show 10:00 AM 4-H Fiber Sheep/Goat Show 4-H Participant Clean up 4:00 Cowboy Poetry @ Fred Field Heritage Center PM (Approx.)

7:00 PM Pre-party and silent auction will be at Mountaineer Square in Mt. CB 6-7:30 PM Evening entertainment 7:45 PM

Wednesday, July 14th

4-H Sheep Weigh In 1:00-1:30 PM 4-H Swine Weigh In 1:30-2: 4-H Participant Goat/Livestock Knowledge Test 30 PM Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Racing, Auction3:00 PM Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Racing 5:00 PM Evening Carnival At The Rodeo Grounds 7:00 PM

Thursday, July 15th

4-H Steer Weigh In 8:00-8: 4-H Swine Show and Open Showmanship 30 AM 4-H Sheep Show and Open Showmanship 10:00 AM 2:30 PM Pioneer Banquet At The Elks Lodge 6:00 PM The famous TETWP pre Rodeo Party and Auction at The Last Chance 5:00-6:30 PM Tough Enough To Wear Pink PRCA Evening Rodeo TETWP Post Rodeo Dance (The Last Chance) 7:00 PM Evening Carnival At The Rodeo Grounds 9:30 PM

22 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Friday, July 16th

4-H Market Goat Show 9:30 AM 4-H Beef Show and Adult Showmanship 10:30 AM 4-H Round Robin Showmanship 1:30 PM 4-H Participant Set Up Sale Arena 4-H Participants Swine and Sheep Ultrasound 2:30 PM 4:00 PM PRCA Evening Rodeo 7:00 PM Dance at The Elks Lodge 9:00 PM Carnival At The Rodeo Grounds

Saturday, July 17th

Cattlemen’s Days Parade 10:00 AM Kiwanis BBQ @ Legion Park 11:30 AM 4-H Livestock Buyers BBQ 12:30 PM 4-H Awards and Scholarship Presentation 1:30 PM 4-H Junior Livestock Auction 2:00 PM PRCA Evening Rodeo-Family Night, Kids 10 and under free with paid adult genera l admission; $5.00 grandstand.

4-H Cattlemen’s Days Shares, Gunnison Cares. Bring a non-perishable food item to the gate. .

7:00 PM Dance At The Elks Lodge 9:00 PM Carnival At The Rodeo Grounds

Sunday, July 18th

Cowboy Church / FCA Services-Rodeo Grounds 9:00 AM Horse Race Meet 12:30 PM

While seeking out potential parcels for their dream home, Lee and Gail stumbled upon the former 7M ranch, which was much bigger in size than what they were looking for.

After ruminating over their principles, an idea was born for Eagle Ridge’s ownership concept. They realized they could create 15 shares of ownership, place a conservation easement on the entire property (preventing further development) and continue to ranch it. The 15 owners would share in the management decisions and the expense of keeping it operating. Water, minerals and timber would be tied to the land forever more.

It was a go.

“It had really never been done before,” says Lee, who with brother Jerry Dusa were financial partners in the project. Lee and Gail were responsible for creating and implementing the vision on the ground.

When someone buys into the ranch, they get a building envelope of about 3 acres in size. Surrounding that envelope is the “owner’s use area” where they can keep horses, for example. Combined, that totals about 10 acres per homesite. The remainder of the 4,900 acres is owned collectively.

Early on, the Dusas decided on three guiding principles for the management of the ranch: agricultural production forever, enhanced wildlife carrying capacity and recreational use by the owners.

The ranching operation is split between a lease with Burt and Sandy Guerrieri and the ranch’s own hay operation, overseen by Sanderson. Wildlife habitat improvements have

Clothing, Furniture, Electronics Sporting Goods & Much More! www.sixpointsgunnison.org

included development of shallow ponds for waterfowl; mowing of 90 acres of sagebrush and planting herbs and forbs to improve sage grouse habitat; and fencing to create a riparian pasture.

John Scott is with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Gunnison.

The NRCS first began working with Eagle Ridge on their irrigation system — helping the ranch manage irrigation water more efficiently. Since then, Scott has been involved with efforts specifically targeted at improving habitat for wildlife.

“Our intent all along has been to create a more diverse habitat for wildlife out there and I believe we’ve done that,” Scott says. “We might be targeting wildlife habitat, but it’s meant improvements to the soil, plants and overall landscape health.”

On the agricultural side, the irrigation system has been improved for the hay crop and fencing implemented to allow for holistic, rotational grazing. Dusa hopes Eagle Ridge has spurred people to think more about ranch preservation in Gunnison County.

“If development is going to occur in the future, this is what you’d like it to be,” Scott agrees.

The ranch’s website is www.eagleridgegunnisonco.com. ■

June 25-27,

Registration starts Thursday, June 24, 1-4 PM

Courtesy photos

970-641-3081 320 South 14th St, Gunnison Thrift Store Hours: M-F 8:30am to 5:00pm & Sat 10:00am to 3:00pm (We accept donations on MWF.)

2010 Scheduled Events

At left, a trout pond is open to homeowners at the ranch and their guests. Wildlife abounds at Eagle Ridge; catching a glimpse of a bull elk crossing a meadow is common. Also pictured is one of the Eagle Ridge homes.

2010

Friday: • Preliminary Qualifiers for Kayaking Events • Event Registration

Saturday: • Community River Parade • Competitive Raft Race • Kayak Freestyle Rodeo Finals • Big Trick Contest • River Board Exhibition • Raft Rodeo• Boater X • Kayak Slalom Race • Foam Boat Race • Live Music & Awards Party

Sunday: • Taylor Canyon Enduro • Lower Taylor Run: 12 Noon • Downriver Race • Closing Ceremony • Party: awards, vendors, beer & food live music, bon fire, free camping!

www.gunnisonriverfestival.com

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 23

The Gunnison Basin’s rivers, streams and lakes are chock-full of beautiful trout, like this one.

Courtesy photo

Basic needs Time on the water, stalking the wily trout, is bound to change some perspectives

by Dave Pinkerton

I

need to tell you this story. Partly because you won’t believe this guy. And partly because you’ll get a kick out of how it all ends.

You see, Corn and I were at the Almont put-in, that river-right sand bar anchored by narrow-leaf cottonwoods and willows just thick enough to cover up your lower half.

Corn was in my rearview mirror, staring at my trailer wheel that had sunk nearly to the axle. I’d known him long enough to predict what was coming.

“They need to build a concrete ramp,” he evaluated, shaking his head. “For that matter, they need toilets and some benches.”

I wondered. For years, the willows had met my needs, and my truck handled the sand just fine. But Corn saw things differently. By age 45, this third son of an Iowa corn farmer had successfully developed

24 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Fishing from a cataraft is a great way to experience the beauty of the river, and find some hot holes.

Courtesy photo

enough commercial property to proclaim what needed to be done. And he was used to people listening.

I set the parking brake, hopped on the trailer and pushed my cataraft off the back end, while Corn managed the bow line. After rigging our rods and making sure we had provisions in the cooler, we launched.

Corn stood at the front lean-bar, casting a rubber-leg woolly bugger into every pocket and pool we floated by. I rowed, trying to make sure my overstressed, lifelong friend had a chance to change flies rather than change lanes, negotiate rapids instead of contracts and entice trout not hedge fund managers.

“You need to ferry me river left,” he announced over his shoulder. “Don’t you see that long shelf?”

Of course I had. I live here. That means you float the river. Simple. But I didn’t get huff y. Corn and I had worked out an irritating mutuality — one between fast and slow, between keep up and up-keep, between want and need.

I aligned the pontoons perpendicular to the current and dug in the oar blades. We slid past a truck-sized, midstream boulder and in three more strokes I had the bow positioned for casting.

Corn slapped his coruscant streamer in the flat water and stripped line. In an instant, wham! A nice rainbow thrashed on the end of Corn’s leader. But its first big run bent Corn’s rod tip under the boat.

“You need to get us turned around!” he shouted, eyes large and round. Floating line disappeared under the left pontoon.

I hammered the oars in opposite directions and watched Corn’s line slide free from the bow, then tear downstream following the fish’s second run. I squared up with the current and rowed forward. After another hundred yards, we eddied out behind a slab rock with a hook ledge. Corn reeled. The fish played into our pool, at which point Corn had some more advice.

“That net needs to be up here.” Corn held his rod high over his head. “Now!” I almost didn’t do it, the way he kept saying what was needed. It felt like my dad when he insisted, “You need to mow the lawn.” Or when Aunt Clara admonished, “You don’t need to wear those pants to Jodie’s wedding, do you?”

Shouldn’t we be able to figure out what we needed?

Continued on page 26

P RODUC E, MEAT, EG GS, BR EADS, CHEESES LO CAL HANDMADE ARTS, CR AFTS AND J E WE LRY WEE K LY ENTE RTAINMENT K IDS ACT I V IT IES

SATURDAYS, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM June 26 through October 9 Downtown Gunnison at the intersection of Main & Virginia in Gunnison

Fresh Flowers...

Delivered Daily...

July 12-18, 2010

Celebrating our 24th year of wildflowers and Crested Butte!

www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com Contact us at 970-349-2571 • info@cbwildflower.com

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 25

Horseback Expeditions in the Gunnison High Country Trail Rides Camping Trips Fishing Camps Hunting Camps

Tent Bed & Breakfast Youth Adventure Camps

Voted the Gunnison Country’s Best Adventure Outfitter

800-641-0504 877-641-3877 501 West Tomichi Avenue

Raven Rider

StableS 970.641.0529

1&2 Hour Trail Rides Full and Half Day Horseback Trail Rides Scenic • Gentle Horses •Disability Compatible Dave Mapes Owner/Operator • 33 Years of Outfitting

Howl with 70 magical sled dogs.

Kennel Tours Available.

Raven Rider Stables

Antelope Hills

Raven 135 Rider Stables

1/2

mile west on Highway 50 and 31/2 miles north on County Road 17

County Road 17

Gunnison

50

50

oad eR g a nt Fro

Gold Basin Road

But Corn needed that fish more than I needed to assert myself. After all, I had a different kind of fortune: I lived here.

So I grabbed the net, crawled forward and ducked under the lean bar. But in a last burst of survival, the fish darted upstream, then wrapped Corn’s line around the hooked ledge of our rock. The tippet snapped! Our eyes followed the big red stripe as it shimmied away.

Corn’s jaw muscles flexed. “I didn’t need that rock,” he grumbled. Then he exhaled and reeled in his line without looking at me.

After a pause he said, “Let me row.”

“Okay,” I said, “but as long as we switch back before Costello’s bridge.” I knew that was the one place, more than any on this river, where boats get torn up.

Soon, fishing turned real hot and I lost track of where we were on the river. After yet another aggressive strike, I looked downstream. My stomach fluttered. Costello’s bridge lay 50 yards ahead. No time to switch. I reeled in my line fast as I turned to Corn.

“You need to slow us down and hug that right pylon,” I ordered. “Otherwise, the current sucks you left.” I knew how easy it was to hit that left bridge pylon — the one with

The Mountain Concierge in the Adventure Center can book valley-wide activities.

Photos: Tom Stillo

Let us help you find your next adventure.

#2%34%$ "544% 6!#!4 ) / . 3

26 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

We do it all, from rafting trips, horse trailrides, fishing trips, golf, tennis, and spa services, to taking care of any travel needs like lodging, airfare, car rental, and ground transfers.

Our local experts are ready to help you get the most out of your Crested Butte vacation.

(970)349-2222

ridecb.com

@ejg`i\ pfli gXjj`fe%

TM

an unforgiving habit of shredding rubber rafts.

“I can do it,” Corn announced 10 yards out. I sat down and lowered my rod. Then something bad happed. Corn started to forward row. A shadow darkened the bow. The boat surged ahead. Things happened fast.

“No!” I yelled. But the course was set. We accelerated left. An oar blade caught the pylon and batted its handle upward into Corn’s face. Before I could react, Corn was down on the deck, blood on his forehead. The oar floated away and Corn’s hat sank in a riffle.

I bent over Corn, trying to lift him up as I released the spare oar. He jerked his arm away from me and wobbled to the front seat. “They need to fix that bridge,” he spat.

“And maybe they need to remove all the big rocks,” I growled. “That way you’d never lose a fish.”

“

I rowed, trying to make sure my overstressed, lifelong friend had a chance to change flies rather than change lanes, negotiate rapids instead of contracts and entice trout not hedge fund managers.

Open seven days a week Championship 18 hole course • Driving range is open to the public Our course is a challenge for any caliber of player • Lessons available Memberships available • Members Day is Thursday Restaurant and Bar • Well stocked pro shop

Public Welcome! Call for Tee Times

(970) 641-1482

501 Camino del Rio South of Hwy 50, 1 mile west of Gunnison SPECIAL WEB RATES OFFERED

www.dosriosgolf.com

” Corn wasn’t dumb. He knew me; he knew what I meant.

Corn fished past North Bridge and the Palisades, all the way to the Whitewater Park. He landed a few. We both kept quiet.

At the take out, Corn stepped off the boat with one leg, then tried to hoist his other one over the pontoon. But his shoelace caught on the raft frame and he toppled face first into six inches of water.

He scrambled to his feet, mud and sand dripping from his face. I could tell he had something to say and I sensed how he would start it off. I was ready.

“You need to. ...”

I glared at him.

Corn wiped his face, then felt the scrape above his eyebrow. He started to smile. “You need to let me buy you a beer,” he finished.

I smiled back. I couldn’t think of anything I needed more. ■

FINE & ORIGINAL ART & CRAFTS SALE SUNDAY, JULY 25 9am to 4pm AAUW SPONSORS

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 27

in e paradis

. % 8 7

28 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

“The Arts Alliance, a dynamic coalition of nonprofit visual and performing arts organizations, promotes and advances the arts to enrich, educate, and enhance the quality of life in the Upper East River Valley.”

WE ENVISION THE UPPER EAST RIVER VALLEY AS A NATIONALLY recognized destination for the arts. The Arts Alliance serves as a vital, unified, and visible resource that fosters unique opportunities and supports world-class facilities for all artists. Similarly, the Arts Alliance expands cultural experiences for the local community as well as adds greater value to the economy of the region.

Participating organizations include and are not limited to Artists of the West Elks, Center for the Arts, Mt. Crested Butte Performing Arts Center, Gunnison Arts Center, Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Crested Butte Music Festival, Crested Butte School of Dance, Trailhead Discovery Museum and the Crested Butte Arts Festival.

For more information please contact Jenny Birnie at (970) 349–7487x2 or visit www.crestedbuttearts.org.

KARA MIL LER

BILOW NATHAN

NLON ALEX FE NATH AN BIL

OW

On the trail with A

second generation mountain biking pioneer, Dave Wiens raced professionally for nearly 20 years. Officially retiring from the pro circuit in 2004, he still enjoys competing — but prefers racing only occasionally and closer to home. In August of 2008, Wiens won his sixth consecutive Leadville 100 title in a duel with seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong. Other career highlights include two World Cup wins, two U.S. National Championship titles and numerous victories on the professional mountain bike racing circuit.

In 2006, he founded the non-profit Gunnison Trails. Gunnison Trails is active on the public lands in the Gunnison area, assisting land management agencies, maintaining existing trails, educating trail users and proposing new trails and trail systems.

A Colorado native, Wiens has called Gunnison home for more than 20 years. He lives here with his wife, Susan DeMattei, also a former professional mountain biker and 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, and their three sons, Cooper, Ben and Sam.

Dave Wiens

How do you think the Gunnison Basin rates with some of the mountain biking epicenters out there?

I’ve been to lots of places with great mountain biking and ridden trails all over the world.

Even with those experiences, my favorite riding anywhere is right here in Gunnison County.

Between the trails around Gunnison, the Crested Butte area, and the riding along the Continental Divide near Monarch Pass, I feel like I still have a lifetime of exploring left.

What are some of your favorite local rides?

I try to hit as many of the classic Crested Butte rides as I can each summer and fall. 403, 401, Deer Creek, the Dyke Trail and Doctor’s Park are always high on my list. Also, the riding up at Crested Butte Mountain Resort is getting better all the time. I like biking all over the terrain that we play on skis in the winter.

I also like heading up above Pitkin and riding the old railroad routes and mining roads — like the Alpine Tunnel, Napolean Pass and Tincup Pass.

But if I could only ride one place, that would have to be at Hartman Rocks near Gunnison. I never get tired of riding the trails out there and it doesn’t get any better than Hartman’s in the Photo by Thomas Kranzle/Venture Visuals 30 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

evening light, after some afternoon thunderstorms have come and gone and left the trails tacky and fast. We call that a powder day on wheels.

For a novice to intermediate rider who is here for the first time, what rides would you recommend?

Around Crested Butte, I’d suggest the Lower Loop and the Kebler Pass Wagon Road. Also, just riding out Brush Creek Road is a nice ride, too.

Around Gunnison, the Contour Trail behind Western State College is singletrack but almost dead flat once you gain the 100 vertical feet from Mountaineer Bowl. Then the roads and two-tracks at Hartman Rocks are very nice and with the BLM’s free map, you can make a variety of loops, too. If you want to test out some singletrack, try Sea of Sage and Middle Luge.

And for someone who wants to really challenge themselves?

403 and 401 together can be a tough ride.

Lots of climbing and 403 is a fast, fairly steep descent. Deer Creek is a pretty burly ride, too, especially if you tack Snodgrass on the end or start it with Strand Hill or Farris Creek.

Hartman Rocks has lots of fairly technical, busy riding. If you connect Ridgeline, Top of the World, Gateway, Josies and Dirty Sock, you’ll get a good taste of typical Hartman’s riding.

The challenge can come in two forms. One is just in trails that are technically difficult.

The other is the sheer length and amount of climbing in a ride. Different riders will weave different trails together to make epic loops and point-to-point rides (if they have a shuttle sorted out). The combinations are endless.

Tell us a little bit about Gunnison Trails: I started Gunnison Trails to maintain

Hartman Rocks trails during 2006. That summer, the trails out there were falling to pieces. Two full summers and lots of volunteer hours later, numerous people had a hand in getting all of the trails out there shored up and in good shape. The BLM has been an excellent and proactive partner in helping us by providing guidance, leadership and tools.

Another area of focus of Gunnison Trails is to work to continually educate trail users.

There are lots of elements of trail use that not everyone is aware of: etiquette, seasonal closures for wildlife, treading lightly, respecting private property and grazing. The list goes on. We simply try to give trail users the best information we can so that they can make good decisions on public lands.

Finally, Gunnison Trails is also in the process of proposing new trails and trail systems in the Gunnison area. One of our proposals, although it faces kind of an uphill battle, is a trail from Gunnison to Crested Butte. We also have some amazing proposals into our land management agencies for the public lands adjacent to Gunnison. The jury is still out on all of these proposals, but we hope to get word on them this summer.

Describe your perfect day out on the trails: I have a few different ones that I really enjoy; each takes place in the late afternoon or evening on the public lands close to Gunnison.

I’m either riding with my wife Susan and our boys, just with Susan or by myself. As the sun gets lower in the sky, the landscape begins to burn red and orange. The air is crystal clear and there are distant thunderheads ablaze with lightning and color from the setting sun. The sage has taken on a whole new color and I can see for miles in every direction — the amazing Upper Gunnison Basin all around me.

Yeah, it’s about where I’m at as much as it’s about riding a great trail! ■

2010 Biking Events May 30

Original Growler Mountain Bike Race, Gunnison

June 5

National Trails Day — Trail Work Day with Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association

June 20-26

Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Arrival & Departure Dates in Gunnison

June 22-27

30th Annual Fat Tire Bike Week, Crested Butte

June 25-27

10th Annual Wildflower Rush Mountain States Cup Race, Mt. Crested Butte

June 26-27

Bridges of the Butte (24-hour townie tour), Crested Butte

July 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12 PowerAde Pinnacle Summer Race Series, Mt. Crested Butte Aug. 21-22 8th Annual 24 Hours in the Sage, Gunnison Sept. 11-12

34th Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte

Help us maintain and create trails for everybody’s use!

A COLORADO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION | WWW.GUNNISONTRAILS.COM 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 31

warriors and leisure riders welcome

Weekend

Original Growler, Gunnison, May 30 The local mountain biking race season officially kicks off on May 30 with the Original Growler at Hartman Rocks, organized by racing great Dave Wiens. Registration is already sold out for both the 64-mile (two laps) and 32-mile (one lap) competitions, with each lap climbing 4,000 vertical feet. The races start at 7 a.m., with proceeds benefiting Gunnison Trails. Go to www.gunnisontrails.com/ for information.

W

hether pumping out mileage on the open road or escaping to the immaculate network of trails that stretch to all corners of the county, the Gunnison Valley offers the epitome of bike riding experiences in the Rocky Mountains.

Home to the Mountain Biking Hall of Fame and Museum (331 Elk Ave. in Crested Butte) — open June through September — and epic trail systems like Hartman Rocks and Crested Butte, the area is no stranger to a national and international lime-light.

In 2009, Bike magazine cited Crested Butte as the “Best Destination” on their list of the “33 Best Rides in North America.” Riding Crested Butte also was the number one item on Mountain Bike Action’s “100 Things Every Mountain Biker Needs to Do” list last year.

One of the state’s biggest road rides will make Gunnison its home base this summer, when the Bicycle Tour of Colorado takes off on June 20 and returns for the finish on June 26.

Considering the cadre of home spun events like the Original Growler, Fat Tire Bike Week and 24-Hours in the Sage, there’s a venue for every age and talent level in the business.

Following is a sample of the many races and events on tap for this summer that are sure to bring out the self-propelled enthusiast in us all:

Gunnison Growler Series, Gunnison, April-October The fifth annual Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series takes place on select Thursday

Big air is par for CBMR’s downhill course.

Photo by Matt Smith

evenings in spring, summer and fall, primarily at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area in Gunnison. This classic mountain bike race/ fun ride series is for all ages and abilities, with men’s and women’s divisions in four categories: single-speed open, beginner, sport and expert. There also are various categories for kids. The races begin at 5:45 p.m., with registration starting on-site at 4 p.m. The cost is $15 per race. Proceeds benefit Gunnison Trails. For more information as details develop, visit www. gunnisontrails.com/.

Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Gunnison, June 20 & 26 This 16th annual ride returns to the Gunnison Valley for the second year in a row, this time beginning in Gunnison on June 20 and ending here on June 26. The more than 470mile loop includes stops in Creede, Alamosa, Chama (N.M.), Pagosa Springs and Center. The tour is limited to 1,500 cyclists, so sign up soon at www.bicycletourcolorado.com/.

30th Annual Fat Tire Bike Week, Crested Butte, June 22-27 Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are the proud hosts of the world’s oldest mountain bike festival, the 30th Annual Crested Butte Fat Tire Bike Week from June 22-27. Voted Best Festival in a Bike magazine reader poll, participants can take part in the Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race, Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush races, the famous Chainless Race, Bridges of the Butte townie tour, Rippin’ Chix/Crested Butte Mountain Guides clinics with Alison Gannett and friends, a free concert featuring a national

"IKES s !CCESSORIES s 2EPAIRS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SPORTS | 608 W. TOMICHI GUNNISON, CO 81230 | 970-641-9150 32 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

act, guided rides and more. For information, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at 800.545.4505 or visit www.ftbw.com/.

10th Annual Wildflower Rush, Mt. Crested Butte, June 26-27 Come discover what real Crested Butte singletrack is all about at the 10th Annual Wildflower Rush, the fourth stop on this year’s Mountain States Cup (MSC) regional mountain bike racing series. Held at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte, the event begins with a cross country race and free Shimano Kids Race on June 26. On June 27, the Crested Butte Downhill and Super-D will give racers plenty of challenges. For more information and registration, visit www.racemsc.com/.

Bridges of the Butte, Crested Butte, June 26-27 This 24-hour townie bike tour takes riders over many of the bridges in downtown Crested Butte and runs from 3 p.m. on June 26 to 3 p.m. on June 27. Enter as an individual and cruise all 24 hours or enter as a team. There is no limit to team size, and costumes are encouraged but not required.

Registration costs $24 per participant and kids pay their age, with pre-registration preferred. This unique event benefits the Adaptive Sports Center, and participants are encouraged to collect pledges to help fund programs for people with disabilities. Register online at www.adaptivesports.org/. For information, call 970.349.5075.

PowerAde Pinnacle Race Series, Mt. Crested Butte, July-August This recreational racing series created in 1998 by Crested Butte Mountain Resort is geared toward fun and competition for beginner to expert riders, split up into 12 racing categories. The races consist of varying lengths

and difficulty on Mt. Crested Butte’s network of trails and singletrack and take place on five Thursday evenings in July and August at 5:45 p.m. A free Shimano Youth Series for kids is offered at the same time. Food, beer and prizes follow every race. For more information call 970.349.2221 or visit www.skicb/ as summer nears.

with the most laps wins. A 12-hour race that starts at midnight and finishes at noon also is offered. Additional highlights for the weekend include live entertainment, the World Townie Championships and more. To register or for more information, contact 303.507.1148 or visit www.24hoursinthesage.com/.

34th Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte to Aspen, Sept. 11-12 This oldest mountain bike event in the world runs from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass. In 1976, the first group of 15 or 20 cyclists from Crested Butte rode one-speed town bikes over the 12,705-foot Pearl Pass to Aspen in response to a group of Aspenites riding their motorcycles over Pearl Pass and parking them in downtown Crested Butte. The Crested Butte rowdies pulled up in downtown Aspen in front of the historic Hotel Jerome. By the early 1980s, the expert ride had grown and become a week long event known as Fat Tire Bike Week. Today, Fat Tire Bike Week is held in June and the Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour is in September to honor the origins of mountain biking in Crested Butte. For information, call 970.349.6817 or visit www.mtnbikehalloffame. com/.

Riding at Hartman Rocks is not super-technical, but there’s plenty of challenging obstacles to keep things interesting.

Photo by Matt Smith

8th Annual 24 Hours in the Sage, Gunnison, August 21-22 Gunnison’s Hartman Rocks is the beautiful backdrop for a 24-hour relay bike race where individual entrants and teams ride a 13-mile loop continuously from noon Saturday, Aug. 21, to noon Sunday, Aug. 22. Gunnison’s KOA Kampground is the start/finish area and makes for a stellar base camp for such an event. The person/team in each category

Trail Work Days, Reports & More Pitch in to help local riders with trail work days organized by the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, (www.cbmba.org) and Gunnison Trails (www.gunnisontrails.com) and maybe they’ll show you a favorite ride or two.

To view trail reports and sign up for e-mail trail report newsletters, visit www.coloradomountainbiking.info.

Get a glimpse of biking in Gunnison-Crested Butte by checking out www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OUIB8fAWi9M. â–

²0IX¾W +S 'EQTMRK EX XLI /3%³ *MWL MR XLI WXSGOIH /3% XVSYX TSRH 'VYMWI SR E TEHHPIFSEX SV JYR FMOI )RNS] XLI SJJ PIEWL HSK TEVO

+YRRMWSR /3% /EQTKVSYRH

'SYRX] 6SEH ˆ +YRRMWSR '3

*VSQ 1EMR 7X MR +YRRMWSR KS QMPIW ; PSSO JSV WMKRW HMVIGXMRK ]SY 7 XS GEQTKVSYRH

[[[ +YRRMWSR/3% GSQ IQEMP +YRRMWSROSE $ESP GSQ 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 33

ealer D ow B r ie m re P s o’ d a or Western Col hery lane

20 yard indoor arc

sporting goods È{£ £n{xÊUÊÓä£Ê7°Ê/ V Ê Ûi° ÜÜÜ°}i iÌ>Þ ÀðV

New Outlet Store

Full time bow tech in house daily.

••••••••

Specializing in top-notch customer service & sales.

Great Bargains & Close Out Prices On Winter & Summer Items Save up to 80%

CAMP CB MEMORABLE SUMMER ADVENTURES FOR KIDS Ages 3–4, 5–8, and 9–14.

#2%34%$ "544% -/5.4!). 2%3/24

34 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Mountain exploration, games, and crafts for ages 3 through 14 and a nursery for ages 2 months to 3 years. Open Mondays through Saturdays 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

June 19 – September 6, 2010 (970)349-4185 ridecb.com

‘Bayou in the Butte’ founder Mike Marchitelli didn’t think Crested Butte had enough summer-time festivals. So he started one.

Photo by Dawne Belloise

CRESTED BUTTE

Home of the fun, funky festival

by Dawne Belloise

W

hat makes Crested Butte the center of the party oriented, living-the-life universe?

It’s a place where costume closets figure prominently into a home’s architecture and trunks overflow with wigs and tutus of every color. Residents use their outdoor equipment of skis, snowboards, water toys, townies and mountain bikes more than their cars. And music is the official language of the town.

Food, drink and celebrating life to the fullest is the goal.

Even though the town is situated at the end

of the road, there is a cornucopia of events, parties and festivals inspired by extreme climes and altitude.

Certainly, the origins of many of Crested Butte’s festivals have their roots in the immigrant Slavic and Italian mining families of yesteryear. They worked hard to survive, but always took time for storytelling, harvest celebrations and polka parties from the late 1800s through the coal mine’s demise in the 1950s.

Then the newcomers of the ’60s “love generation” added their own wackiness. Their ski bum psychedelia and joie de vivre manifested in music and arts festivals and outdoor sports

oriented competitions that encouraged theatrical get-ups and homemade contraptions.

“Buttians,” as we like to call ourselves, go well beyond inventiveness in their festivals, partly because residents still work hard — many balancing several jobs with a carnival flair.

In keeping with Crested Butte’s historic tradition, dancing is certainly what townsfolk do well and do often. When the local old-timers were asked how they met their spouses, almost 80 percent answered that they had met at a dance. Ongoing music events have evolved Continued on page 36

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 35

into diverse, multi-day concerts and seminars, some combining food and drink specific to the musical genre.

Bayou in the Butte welcomes summer with a ragin’ Cajun New Orleans sound, two days of partying and eating crawfish and gumbo. Event creator Mike Marchitelli says that we didn’t have enough festivals, so he started one.

“There’s something about music, food and cold beverages outside,” he explains. “We have nine months out of the year where we have to wear mukluks, so it’s pretty nice to have flipflops on and a cold beer in hand, toes in grass.”

July 4th is honored with days of parties and one wild-and-crazy parade. To see an entire town in vibrant ensemble and signature “Crested Butte formal wear” — inclusive of feathery boas, top hats, bangles, sequins, and touille — is when the CB Heritage Museum’s Black & White Ball gets everyone strutting. On its heels is the Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF), encompassing five weeks of diverse genres of concerts.

This year the CBMF includes the first-ever Bluegrass in Paradise shindig on the mountain, with local string man Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon fame hosting the all star, two-day event.

And, yeah, you can bring the kids to all these Crested Butte music events. We like kids.

They’re just like us.

Townie clunkers are merely an extension of our local personas, with bikes decked out with everything from flowers to beer can art as testaments to the mountain life way. The fat tired clunker originated here, hence the world’s oldest mountain bike race.

As such, we’ve dedicated Fat Tire Bike Week to taking to the streets and hills, and it’s not just for your typical collection of lycra-wearing race geeks. We’ve got the costumed concoctions of the unnerving Chainless Race down Kebler Pass and the non-stop, 24 hour, Bridges of the Butte townie event, where “Burning Man” bikes light up to raise funds for the Adaptive Sports Center.

To hike through a Crested Butte sunny day, puffs of clouds sailing through blue skies, is to stroll in heaven. As the characters of town mimic the colors of wildflower season in its brief but furious explosion, we’re the designated Wildflower Capital of Colorado. We revel in nature’s palette during the Wildflower Festival with a full week of activities and events. Director Sue Wallace muses, “I think the (wildflower) fest has always been perceived as a ‘little old lady’ event. ... It’s not. And besides, ‘little old ladies’ in Crested Butte are not like little old ladies anywhere else.”

Continued on page 39 36 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

An always popular Crested Butte event is the annual ‘Rubber Duckie Race,’ held this year on Aug. 1. It’s a fundraiser for the Crested Butte Rotary.

Photo by Dawne Belloise

CB events on tap Memorial Day — Procession to Cemetery, Polka at the Eldo afterwards Fat Tire Bike Week — June 22-27, ftbw. com 24 Hour Bridges of the Butte — June 2627, adaptivesports.org Bayou in the Butte — June 26-27, bayouinthebutte.com Heritage Museum’s Black & White Ball — July 2, crestedbuttemuseum.com Independence Day — July 4, pancake breakfast, parade, water fights, music, all over town Crested Butte Music Festival — July 4-Aug. 5, crestedbuttemusicfestival.com Bluegrass in Paradise — July 9-10, crestedbuttemusicfestival.com Wildflower Festival — July 12-18, CrestedButteWildflowerFestival.com Wine & Food Festival — July 22-25, cblandtrust.org Crested Butte Arts Festival — July 31-Aug. 1, crestedbutteartsfestival.com Mountain Man Rendezvous — July 31-Aug. 1, Fur traders reenactment, Washington Gulch Artists of the West Elks Summer Festival — Aug. 15, awearts.org Aerial Weekend — Aug. 27-29, Hanggliding and paragliding, CB Soaring Society The People’s Fair — Sept. 4-5, arts and crafts, awearts.org Django Fest — Sept. 4-5, Gypsy Jazz Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook Off — Sept. 11, cbchamber.com Vinotok — Sept. 20–25, storytelling, Liar’s Night, community feast, mumming, bonfire Holiday Parade — Dec. 4, cbchamber.com Nordic Center’s Alley Loop — Feb. 5, cbnordic.org Al Johnson Uphill/Downhill Telemark Race — March, aljohnsonrace.com Mardi Gras — March 8, parade, costumes and drinking Red Lady Salvation Ball — March, hccaonline.org Flauschink – April, polka, parade, drinking, closing weekend at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

(For more information on Crested Butte festivals and events, visit gunnisoncrestedbutte. com or gcbcalendar.com)

JYR EWWSVXQIRX SJ LEXW

*36 ):)6= 3''%7-32

)0/ %:) Â&#x2C6; '6)78)( &988) 2)<8 83 63'/= 13928%-2 ',3'30%8) *%'836=

Your Better Living Furniture Store

315 North Main Street Home Decorating Center

641-0760

Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30, Sat. 9-3

Traders in contemporary antique & shabby chic furniture

We also specialize in:

New furniture at dealer prices

Eco-friendly since 1980

t PVUMFU SFDZDMFE t DMPUIJOH t DPTUVNFT t KFXFMSZ t CPPLT

Boom-a-rang 10,000 sq. ft. of shopping...shopping...shopping...

221-225 N . Main, Downtown Gunnison 970.641.3115 or 970.209.6046 boomarang221@yahoo.com We pick-up desirable furniture for re-sale 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 37

LARGE SELECTION OF WINES, BEERS & SPIRITS AT GREAT PRICES. CASE DISCOUNTS Hours: Mon- Sat. 11am -9pm Sun. 11am-5pm Located at the four way stop in Crested Butte

301 6th. St. • 970-349-1689

DO-IT-YOURSELFERS / CONTRACTORS “Get One More Bid Before You Build”

* Everyday Gifts * Souvenirs * Unique Seasonal, Home & Garden Décor * Rustic Home Accessories * Candles * Antiques & Collectables * Lionel Trains

UÊ 1 ,ÊEÊ* 97"" ÊUÊ "",-ÊEÊ7 "7UÊ,"" Ê / , -ÊUÊ /ÊEÊ " ÊUÊ 1 ,½-Ê/"" -ÊEÊ-1** -

641-1819 601 West Highway 50 - Gunnison

100 Spencer Ave., Gunnison 970-641-0727

and of course….

EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS! 970-641-7456 135 N Main, Gunnison, CO

www.backattheranchfurniture.com 38 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

A hot, dusty-day blur of endless hours in a cloud of music, art and incense was how the now highly regarded, well attended Crested Butte Arts Festival began back in 1971. Today, the arts festival continues musical and fine art traditions with two days of performers and nearly 200 juried artists turning Elk Avenue into a big canvas of culture and creativity.

And if you want to head for higher ground, follow the hearty folks up Washington Gulch to the Mountain Man Rendezvous for an authentic fur tradersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; camp reenactment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; breechcloths, tipis, hatchets and all.

Food and drink is historically the bond of town gatherings, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a myriad of festivals focused on culinary surrender. The Wine & Food Festival, hosted by the Crested Butte Land Trust, is a foodie extravaganza with seminars, dinners and tastings.

Another bona fide CB celebration merged the harvest gatherings and storytelling of the old timers with the newcomersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; party aptitude to create the week long Vinotok debauchery â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an autumnal equinox of feasting of every nature, raucous liars and a host of characters in elaborate dress and body paint marching off to a bonfire to burn the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s woes. Vinotok creator Marcie Telander explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ultimate expression of creative and spiritual improvisation, completely home grown from the myths and legends of our fore parents and the last of the great American village festivals.â&#x20AC;?

It all begins at the end, with Flauschink. This is an entirely unique CB event, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;flushing outâ&#x20AC;? of winter with a crowned King and Queen, parade, skiing, drinking and, of course, polka during the closing weekend of ski season at CB Mountain Resort.

Glo Cunningham, director of the Heritage Museum and card carrying local since 1975, feels thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a common thread to Crested Butteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over the top revelry. She sums it up: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to be a certain kind of a person to survive and make it work here, and that kind of a person is more willing to let loose, be free, get into costumes and fests and make it an important part of their time in Crested Butte. We have our own personality about these things. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re set apart because we have such a strong sense of community and within that people can relax and be themselves, and be what and who they need to be. No one does it quite like we do.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013; (Dawne Belloise lives in a tiny cottage on a Crested Butte alley with a large cat and four costume trunks. Her feature writing and photography is published in various mags & rags.

Contact dbelloise@gmail.com or rubysroad. com.)

132 N. Main Street 970.641.2850

s Jewelry s s Handbags s s &INE 4OILETRIES s s "ABY "OUTIQUE s s Candles s s Garden Accessories s s "ABY "RIDAL 2EGISTRY s WWW SHOPHERBALIFE COM ABBYRAE

Rose Petal

G un

nsisons Colorado

970-641-4442 7 4OMICHI s 'UNNSION #/ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gifts you love to giveâ&#x20AC;?

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 39

Biking atop the Continental Divide isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s one of Becky Sears’ favorite rides. The WSC biology professor is always up for an adventure.

Courtesy photo

Katherine Browne is helping introduce more women to the sport of flyfishing as president of the first Colorado Women’s Flyfishing chapter on the Western Slope.

Photo by Matt Smith

One of the advantages of owning a popular women’s-specific hunting apparel company is that you get to go on some wild adventures.

Seen here is Kirstie Pike gator hunting in the swamps of Louisiana.

Courtesy photo

Girls on the go

by Matt Smith

I

n an epicenter of outdoor living like the Gunnison Valley, it’s not just a boy’s game.

From top-notch professional athletes on down to the novice and beginner flights, ladies take to the trails and woods just as much and sometimes more than their male counterparts.

One thing that is certain: Don’t underestimate the girl power that is thriving in the hills that surround us.

Following are just three examples of the ladies who make a living in the Gunnison Valley and find plenty of time to get out in the wild: Rebecca Sears – Mountain Biking When Rebecca Sears isn’t lecturing in biology as a professor at Western State Col-

40 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

lege, rest assured she’s not too far from a trail. What type of trail just depends on what season it is.

When it’s time to turn in her Nordic skis for something a little more suited to summer, she’s mostly of the two-wheeled variety. Sears has been riding mountain bikes seriously for about four years, but just last year jumped into more competitive aspects of the sport.

She started out at one of the weekly Growler Series races in the spring, then decided to take on the Original Growler and the Fat Tire 40 in the summer. Her passion for pumping pedals in a race, however, comes in second to just enjoying the ride with a few friends.

“I feel like my time out on the trails is real quality time — no TV, distractions, internet or cell phones — with people,” said Sears.

“And I’ve gotten to know some amazing people in this valley (through the sport).”

Sears’ favorite ride in the area is the Mon-

arch Crest Trail, an epic tear just east of Gunnison that was named one of the top five rides in the U.S. by Bicycle Magazine. Closer to home she prefers flowing through the aspens of Doctor’s Park Trail between Spring Creek and Taylor canyons.

Hiking, backpacking and swimming in the Blue Mesa Reservoir is how she spends her “down time.” And if her legs have any juice left, a trail run at Hartman Rocks is her way to wind down after class.

Katherine Browne — Flyfishing Katherine Browne’s instructions on how to execute a proper “mend” haven’t been heard around many of the local women’s sewing circles, just yet.

As one of only two female flyfishing guides at Willowfly Anglers in Almont, the Gunnison resident is more privy to dealing with

graphite rods and fluorocarbon tippet than a needle and thread.

Now that she’s officially the president of the first Colorado Women Flyfishers (CWF) chapter on the Western Slope, Browne is building a little circle of her own.

“I’ve wanted to start a group for a while, but it really started knocking around in my head last summer,” said Browne, a native of Massachusetts. “Flyfishing is one of the fastest growing sports out there among women and I thought it was unusual that we have all this great water and you don’t see all that many women out there.”

With her help, the number of ladies found sinking a hook into a big brown trout in local waters is on the rise. And while she says that starting out can sometimes be intimidating, she prefers to keep a relaxed setting on the water so more people can enjoy catching fish.

But Browne’s passion for the outdoors doesn’t end when the rivers freeze. Her second love is one of the oldest sports known to man — falconry — and she has captured and trained birds of prey for the past three winters.

Kirstie Pike — Hunting Women worldwide are reconsidering what they wear in the wild because of Gunnison local Kirstie Pike.

In February of 2008, the former emergency room nurse took her love for hunting to the next level. With the help of her husband, Steve, the Prois line of female specific hunting clothes was born and it’s been bagging big game ever since.

The company now has international distributors in South Africa, Australia, Canada and all across the United States. Stores such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Scheels and Schnees carry the Prois line.

To say it has been a success thus far is an understatement. Prois has experienced a 400 percent rate of growth from last year, to date, and has a long list of big ideas at the forefront of the industry. In January, Outdoor Life Magazine hailed one of Prois’ products as “Best in Show.”

One of the perks for Pike is getting to hunt for a living and meet some of the best in the business in the process. Taking down world class black bears in Canada and gunning down gators in the swamps of Louisiana are just a sliver of her latest expeditions.

For more information on Prois, visit proishunting.com. ■ 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 41

This 1930s postcard photo shows the famous Sapinero Hotel Resort.

Author’s collection

When

ranches & resorts prospered Sapinero Cemetery offers a reminder of what once was

by Judy Buffington Sammons

A

beautiful spring day found me wandering through the Sapinero Cemetery, the forlorn and nearly forgotten resting place of some of this town’s early-day pioneers.

The little village of Sapinero is located 26 miles west of Gunnison, on Hwy. 50. It is now perched on a hillside, having been moved there in the 1960s from its former location in the valley below, when the waters of Blue Mesa Reservoir inundated the valley.

Sapinero’s pioneer cemetery was moved, too, located far across the valley to the other side.

I looked out over the icy blue chasm that separates the town’s living from its dead and wondered at the forfeiture of their former resting place, and pondered the loss of a 42 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

former way of life.

What lies under this vast expanse of blue water was part of what was once known as the “Rainbow Route” — a stretch of the Gunnison River world renowned for its trout fishing. Intermingled along the stream, with fishing lodges and tourist cabins, were many prosperous ranches. These ranches had sprung up initially at the confluence of the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek and then continued west, downstream to the confluence of the Lake Fork and Gunnison Rivers at Sapinero. Located along the way were the old townsites of Iola, Kezar, Cebolla and Sapinero.

This immense, quiet valley was once cut through with only Indian trails, its inhabitants leaving no particular marks on the land as they summered here or merely passed

through. Following quickly on the heels of the Utes, when the land was finally opened up for settlement in 1880, was a throng of newcomers — homesteaders who had ranching in mind. The nearby hills were available for them to graze cattle and sheep when the typical 160-acre homesteads proved to be too small.

Fast on the heels of the ranchers, coming almost at the same time, was the railroad. By 1881, the Denver & Rio Grande had reached as far as Sapinero — from whence it inched down into the 2,000-foot-deep chasm known as the Black Canyon, an almost impossible proposition that was said to be a “railroader’s hell.”

The coming of the railroad cinched it Continued on page 44

Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest fly shop

Gunnisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only full service fly shop Guided fishing trips available The valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest selection of flies and fly tying materials

Â&#x2122;Ă&#x2021;äÂ&#x2021;Ă&#x2C6;{ÂŁÂ&#x2021;Ă&#x201C;Â&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;äĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x17D;ääĂ&#x160; °Ă&#x160; >Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x152;°]Ă&#x160; Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;

Putting

SMILES on

Children's Faces

vÂ&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;Â&#x153;Ă&#x203A;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;äĂ&#x160;9i>Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;t

Real Stuff for Real Kids Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Apparel - Tots thru Teens Swimwear & Dancewear Year-Round Educational Toys, Books, Games & Unique Choices for Every Kid

#A@63K )3FGD63K

n )G@63K

%& $ * "

&# $ +"/ + +)*

ÂŁĂ&#x201C;xĂ&#x160; °Ă&#x160; >Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Â&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160; Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;]Ă&#x160; "Ă&#x160;nÂŁĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;äĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Â&#x2122;Ă&#x2021;äÂ&#x2021;Ă&#x2C6;{ÂŁÂ&#x2021;äĂ&#x2C6;Ă&#x17D;x 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 43

for the newly established ranches along the Rainbow Route. New markets now opened up for the homesteaders, making ranching a viable operation. Locations for loading cattle existed along the route at a few stops, including Iola and Sapinero. From the nearby ranching community of Powderhorn, ranchers trailed cattle to Iola for shipment in a collective drive that raised up a huge cloud of dust all along the way.

And so it went up until the early 1960s — almost a century — ranching and resorts prospering side-by-side in this pretty valley. The valley floor was cut through with a quick-flowing stream that teemed with trout, and its sides were flanked by sagebrush hills flaming with wildflowers in summer and glistening with snow in winter.

A great culture arose there, too, that of pioneer ranching with its rich traditions.

Several generations graced these many ranches and their plans to carry on were taken for granted. They would continue to work ranches that were well-established, well-maintained, irrigated and supporting a healthy number of cattle.

But the “Rainbow Route” and the ranches that flanked it were doomed. This location was ideal for a great dam-building project

The “new” Sapinero Cemetery with Blue Mesa Reservoir in the background. photo by Walt Barron

and “progress” was about to roll over all who resided there.

Colorado’s perennial Western Slope Congressman, Wayne N. Aspinall of Palisade, was the driving force behind the Upper

Colorado River Storage Act. Seven holding dams and reservoirs were to be constructed under the act, including the Curecanti ProjContinued on page 46

BEST PRICES IN THE VALLEY!

From textiles and ceramics to candles & accessories From lamps to lamp shades and window treatments to floor covering HOPE & GLORY

IS YOUR ONE STOP HOME DECOR STORE.

©

YOUR MAIN STREET FLOWER SHOP 213 N. Main •Gunnison (970) 641-5858 www.teezme.com 44 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

(970) 641-1638

(970) 641-5102

147 N. Main, Gunnison, Co

NIC RIES A G OR ROCE RAL G U NAT sLocal Eggs, Honey, Beef, Buffalo, Produce & BOOCH! (Kombucha) s'LUTEN 7HEAT $AIRY &REE 0RODUCTS s 0ET #ARE s(EALTH "EAUTY s"ULK 0RODUCTS sNATURAL GOURMET DELI

®

(970) 641-5928 804 North Main, Gunnison (in Mountain Meadows Mall)

M - F 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. & Sat. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

&AIR 4RADE s #RUELTY &REE s ,OCAL s &AIR 4RADE s #RUELTY &REE s ,OCAL

Gunnison Souvenir T-Shirts & Sweatshirts

&AIR 4RADE s #RUELTY &REE s ,OCAL s &AIR 4RADE s #RUELTY &REE s ,OCAL

&AIR 4RADE s #RUELTY &REE s ,OCAL

s &AIR 4RADE s #RUELTY &REE s ,OCAL s

'ET

FITAND FOCUSEDIN THEVALLEY! s $ROP )NS 7ELCOME s /FFERING OVER CLASSES PER WEEK

s 0ERSONAL 4RAINING AVAILABLE s ! LARGE VARIETY OF 'ROUP #LASSES s $AY 0ASSES !VAILABLE s %XPERIENCED TRAINERS STAFF

s 3TUDENT 3ENIOR DISCOUNTS s %VERY 3ATURDAY IS h0AY 7HAT 9OU #ANv #OMMUNITY 9OGA A M !LL LEVELS WELCOME

6ISIT US ON THE WEB AT GUNNISONSANCTUARY COM

970.641.3375

970.275.8927

7EST 4OMICHI !VE 'UNNISON ON TH .EW 9ORK

Family Dentistry Joshua T. Osborne, DMD ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS CALL FOR APPOINTMENTS 321 N. MAIN ST, GUNNISON

970-641-3004 Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1996

NEVER EVER make a princess cry!

Verizon Wireless will keep you connected and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy when you go to my Papaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store.

Why Choose GL Computer Service? *quick, stress-free service *Knowledgeable staff *free phone book transfers on New phones or upgrades *free bill analysis *Verizon Wireless Payment Center

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 45

We’re glad you’re here!

When are you coming back?

"20 Best Places to Live the West" American Cowboy Magazine …happy to share it with you!

This old-time cattle loading chute survives near Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Photo by Walt Barron

Visit GunnisonCrestedButte.com You may also call 800-850-9038

Gunnison Community School

Connected with the Community

Quality First through Eighth Grade Standards-Based Education

1099 N. 11th Street • (970) 641-7710 Highly Educated and Experienced Staff Attention to Student Needs • Safe, Caring Environment Partner with WSC Teacher Education Department

• Visit us on the web at gunnisonschools.net •

Gunnison Lake School

Building an Educational Foundation

Offering 1/2 day or full day education Providing quality education for pre-school & kindergarten students

800 North Boulevard Street • (970) 641-7770 46 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

ect — which consisted of Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal dams. The Curecanti Project would dam up the Gunnison River in three places and form the largest body of water in Colorado, nearly 26 miles long and holding nearly a million acre feet of water.

Starting at Sapinero and working upstream, the lake would cover 16 ranches or ranch/ resorts.

When the Blue Mesa project finally got underway, ominous orders were given to vacate land. Compensation was provided and new ranches had to be found by stunned owners. Families were uprooted and lifetimes of work were abandoned unwillingly for the greater good, as perceived by the federal government. The ranches along the river were purchased, condemned, dismantled or razed, and finally submerged beneath the chilly waters of Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Not a trace of them remains.

What lies under Blue Mesa Reservoir was once true “cattle country,” a place of much “derring-do,” where cowboys rode and fought with sheep men, where more than one murder was committed, where romances flourished and cowboys married schoolmarms, where babies were born and old pioneers passed away — events very much connected to ranching. Fishermen frequented the streams, too, flashing their fly lines against the iridescent waters of the Gunnison River.

Log Packages • General Contractors • Professional Engineering • Custom Design Building Dreams is Our Business “By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established.”-Proverbs 24:3

An old cabin near the Sapinero Hotel was one of many historic buildings burned, moved or dismantled to make way for Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Photo courtesy U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Many would say that what once served as a paradise for a limited number of people has rightfully become a new haven that serves the need for water storage, electrical power and the recreational interests of many more. And there can be no doubt that the huge lake has its own particular beauty — that of open space coupled with great expanses of open water. At sunset the picture of white sails way out on the lake skimming the sparkling waters is indeed a sight to see.

Yet this conglomeration of thoughts is what passed through my mind on my visit to the little Sapinero Cemetery. I contemplated those lying there and wondered what their thoughts on all this “progress” might have been. But of course the dead have no animosity and the peaceful music made by the ebb and flow of the water goes unheard. ■

n WWW.GREATLANDLOGHOMES.COM

1-888-641-0496 TOLL FREE • 970-641-0496 OFFICE • PO BOX 683, GUNNISON

8LI SRP] GPMRMG [MXL &SEVH 'IVXMÀ IH *EQMP] (SGXSVW

n

4VSZMHMRK ´4IHMEXVMG XS +IVMEXVMGµ GEVI XS XLI +YRRMWSR :EPPI] WMRGI

n

gunnison valley

-RGPYHMRK GSQTPIXI SFWXIXVMG GEVI ERH WIEQPIWW XVERWMXMSR XS TIHMEXVMG GEVI

Family Physicians

970-641-0211

130 E. Virginia, Gunnison CO 81230

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 47

FULL SERVICE QUALITY PRINTING & COMPLETE DESIGN STUDIO

Serving Colorado’s printing needs since 1956.

Full Color Printing • State-of-the-Art Design Studio Full Service Bindery & Finishing • Foil Stamping Environmentally Conscious • Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff

970.641.2672 • fax 970.641.4329 • 1.888.500.PRINT 220 W. Spencer Ave. • Gunnison, CO 81230 • www.bbprinters.com 48 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

The Partners program matches adult mentors with youth throughout the valley.

Courtesy photo

Nurturing the community Nonprofits serve wide spectrum of needs and wants in the Gunnison Valley

by Pam Cunningham

A

smart community values and supports its nonprofits.

A healthy community has a full complement of nonprofits.

Both are certainly true in our high mountain valley.

There has been an explosion of nonprofits around the country. Here in Gunnison County, the number of agencies that have a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS has doubled in the last 10 years.

Traditionally, nonprofits spring up where there is need. In good times, those nonprofits meet peripheral “wants” of the community as

well as more basic needs. In hard times, it is the nonprofits that serve a community’s core issues that take the forefront. Both kinds of nonprofits serve the residents — full and part-time — here.

With only 15,000 permanent residents, the communities in Gunnison County have more than 159 nonprofits — with about 65 very active agencies meeting needs.

Nonprofits fill the gaps not satisfied by government and private industry. One value often overlooked is the economic impact of nonprofits. According to a study completed last year by Johns Hopkins University and the Colorado Nonprofit Association, nonprofit employment in the area that includes Gunnison County is

7.6 percent, higher than the Colorado average of 5.6 percent of total employment. That is significant, especially considering the current climate.

The need for nonprofit services typically increases during a time of economic unrest, while donations often decrease as the population waits for more stable times to return.

Gunnison County nonprofits have held tight and strong these past two years, reviewing core missions, trimming budgets, calling on volunteers to do more and continuing to provide services.

In Gunnison County, we have nonprofits Continued on page 50

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 49

-Y C O H # OLA /H

TE

â&#x20AC;˘ (ANDMADE $IPPED !PPLES â&#x20AC;˘ (ANDMADE #HOCOLATE â&#x20AC;˘ (OME MADE &UDGE â&#x20AC;˘ #OFFEE %SPRESSO

970â&#x20AC;?641â&#x20AC;?1023 9 770â&#x20AC;?64 11000 000 NN. Main St, Ste 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Gunnison Hours: 9â&#x20AC;?9, Mon.â&#x20AC;?Sat.

that serve in a broad variety of sectors. To highlight just a very few: â&#x20AC;˘Six Points and Adaptive Sports serve the other-abled with recreational and life skills programming â&#x20AC;˘Junior Achievement, 4-H and Partners work with our youth through mentoring, summer camps, classroom instruction in business and projects promoting life skills â&#x20AC;˘Paradise Animal Welfare Society and the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League care for our lost or abandoned domestic animals and help them find loving homes â&#x20AC;˘Artists of the West Elks, Crested Butte Music Festival, Center for the Arts, Mountain Theatre, School of Dance and the Gunnison Arts Center provide a rich arts environment spanning generations â&#x20AC;˘Bright Beginnings, Paradise Place, Stepping Stones and Tenderfoot care for our youngest community members â&#x20AC;˘Friends of the Library in both Crested Butte and Gunnison and the Literacy program throughout the valley keep our eyes on the value of books, writing and literacy â&#x20AC;˘If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a history buff, we have two wonderful museums â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mountain Heritage Museum in Crested Butte with exhibits and programming focusing on historical activities

of the East River Valley, such as mining, ranching and skiing; and the Pioneer Museum in Gunnison â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with 18 buildings, a narrow gauge train exhibit, fantastic telephone display and scores of exhibits primarily from early settlers â&#x20AC;˘For the protection of our environment, we have the Office of Resource Efficiency, with energy audits and electronic recycling; the Crested Butte Land Trust, with a mission of â&#x20AC;&#x153;protecting

New Supplies Arriving Daily No Need to Leave Town We have all your Feed Supplies

We dispose of gently used motor oil ccc

Distributor

Gunnison Auto & Feed 2 1EMR 7X 7XI +YRRMWSR Â&#x2C6; 50 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

641-2900 400 W. Tomichi Ave Gunnison, Colorado

Gunnison Feed & Supply 1 .GEA;@A N= c

The nonprofit Gunnison Arts Center is a conduit for local citizens, young and old, to experience and participate in an infinite variety of creative recreation. Here is a picture of the GACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Dance Program.

Photo by Chris Rourke

open lands for vistas, recreation, wildlife and ranchingâ&#x20AC;?; Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy, which â&#x20AC;&#x153;works to ensure that productive agricultural lands remain part of our changing communityâ&#x20AC;?; and the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition, which works to protect the environmental integrity of the watershed above Crested Butte â&#x20AC;˘We also have nonprofits that deal with

the harder side of life â&#x20AC;&#x201D; agencies that feed the hungry, protect the abused, counsel with youth in trouble, fill the gap with medical care for the underserved, provide care with love and compassion for the terminally ill. Gunnison Food Pantry, Jubilee House, Hospice and the Light Program are but four such programs.

ESTABLISHED 1980

Continued on page 53

Insured

Bryce Builders LLC Residential Carpentry and Remodeling

P.O. Box 1603 Gunnison, CO 81230

HANDWORKS

Owner: Gary Giammatteo phone 970-620-6035

#ARDS s 'IFTS s 0ARTY 3UPPLIES s !RT 3UPPLIES *OURNALS s &RAMES #ANDLES s #ANDY 3OUVENIRS s .OVELTY )TEMS 4OYS s 4 S 3WEATS (ATS "URT S "EES s 0OTTERY *EWELRY s 7IND #HIMES "OOKS s !ND -UCH -ORE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Remember, if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ nd it here...

We sold it yesterday.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;˘ UPSTAIRS â&#x20AC;˘ Corner of 3rd & Elk Ave. %LK !VE 0 / "OX #RESTED "UTTE #/

970.349.6731

Booking the Finest Outdoor Activities in the Valley â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your Adventures Begin Hereâ&#x20AC;?

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 51

Gunnison Valley Health is your local resource for living well.

Whether for daily healthcare or for that unexpected emergency, a broad range of primary and specialty services are available from an award winning team, who bring you: • Emergency care – 24 hours a day at Gunnison Valley Hospital from physicians and nurses trained for emergencies • Ground ambulance transport, connected with helicopter and fixed wing air support to get patients where they need to go for more critical care • Diagnostic services from our imaging center and laboratory for routine or more sophisticated tests • Day or overnight surgeries for gynecology, ear, nose and throat, or general surgery needs • Comprehensive orthopedic services including diagnostic imaging and surgical repair of sports injuries and rehabilitation, supported by certified physical and occupational therapists • Chemotherapy for cancer patients in a personal, comfortable setting from our visiting, board certified oncologist and full time oncology nurse • Complete maternity care from two full time obstetricians, three primary care physicians and fifteen dedicated nurses who help parents prepare for and experience the miracle of child birth • Support for the aging with assisted living, rehabilitation and full time care at the Senior Living Community, ranked in the top 5 percent of Colorado nursing homes • Home health, hospice and palliative care brought directly into homes of those living alone and to families in need Brought to you by a team of local and visiting physicians, highly trained nurses and technicians, dedicated to helping the families of Gunnison County live well together.

Find us on the web at www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org For hospital care call 641-1456 For senior services call 641-0704

WWW.GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG

52 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

)\TIVMIRGI =SY 'ER 8VYWX ;MXL %R %KIRX =SY 'ER (ITIRH 3R

+VIK +IIV

2ERG] 6IMJ %RKMI 7ERGLI^

. 8LYVPMRK

.IRRIXXI 2I[OMVO

0EYVE 7LEVTI

,31) ` %983 ` &97-2)77 ` ;36/)6µ7 '314 [[[ MRW GIRXIV GSQ 4-H has been teaching local youngsters responsibility and other life skills for generations.

Photo by Chris Rourke

And though not a “nonprofit” in the traditional sense, Western State College complements many of the community programs through its own environmental, arts and business programs, by providing interns and serving up intellectual stimulation in a broad sense.

The college brings young energy and ideas to our valley and provides learning opportunities for all with its Extended Studies program.

One organization strengthens and supports the entire gamut of our valley’s nonprofits. The Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley (CFGV) — with its stewardship of donors’ gifts and intent, grant-making programs, educational courses, meetings and technical support, and fostering of civil dialogue to solve problems — serves our valley’s every corner.

The CFGV helps meet today’s needs with today’s dollars and builds endowments to ensure our communities’ future.

Look around you and remember which nonprofits serve you well. Do you hike on trails maintained by the Land Trust, ski on tracks laid by the Gunnison Nordic Club, attend concerts in the park or send your children to summer art camp? Then you’re a user of nonprofit services!

So foster your health and give generously of your time and talent. Nurture our nonprofits — they keep our citizens and our community healthy. ■ (Pam Cunningham is the executive director of the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley. She can be reached at 641.8837)

+YRRMWSR 2 1EMR 7X 0EOI 'MX] 2 ,[] 7XI 'VIWXIH &YXXI )PO %ZI

Acuity • AIG • Allstate • CNA • Colorado Casuality • Fireman’s Fund Allied Insurance • Travelers • Pinnacol • Mountain State • Chubb Zurich • Encompass Insurance

BEFORE

AFTER • Collision Repair Specialist • Any Make or Model welcome • Computer Estimates • Quality Painting • Skilled Frame & Unibody Specialists

KAYCO Ultimate Control Paint Booth

970-641-5510

www.gunnisoncountrycollision.com ÇäÓÊ-°Ê Ì Ê-/°ÊUÊ Õ Ã ]Ê À>`

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 53

54 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

The birds of Blue Mesa Dan Cress Dan Cress has had a passion for photography since childhood, but it wasn’t until he moved to this incredibly beautiful place in 1996 that he starting sharing his work. It started about the time he opened an insurance agency here.

“I created a small photo album to give people something to do while they sat at my desk and conducted insurance business,” he explained. “Time after time my clients would ask me if I sold any of my work and that if I didn’t, I should.”

Another activity Dan is extremely passionate about is hunting.

However, over the past few years he’s traded virtually all of his guns for camera equipment. Now it doesn’t matter what he shoots or how many times he shoots it.

Dan’s work consists of greeting cards and prints wrapped in custom frames, which he makes as well. His pictures have been used in local media as well as magazines and advertising media across the country.

“When people ask me what the Gunnison area is like, I tell them it is like living in a postcard every day.”

For contact and ordering information, visit www.cressnestphoto.com.

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 55

Campers used to roll out the mats on the lawns of the Spring Creek Resort. Today, they work mostly in the Paul Wright Gymnasium.

Photo by Matt Smith

All in the family Tradition, camaraderie a hallmark of WSC wrestling camp — the longest-running in the nation

By Luke Mehall

T

his summer, more than 1,000 young grapplers will travel to Gunnison to take part in the longest running wrestling camp in the United States.

The Western State College (WSC) Rocky Mountain Wrestling Camp enters its 47th year this June. Started by legendary WSC wrestling coach Tracy Borah, the camp has come a long way from its roots in the local Spring Creek canyon — at the historic and now defunct Spring Creek Resort.

Current camp director and head WSC wrestling coach Miles Van Hee participated in the camps as a youngster in the early days up Continued on page 58

56 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

The late Tracy Borah is a legend in wrestling circles. One of the reasons why is the success he had with the unique wrestling camp he started in the ’60s, which is still going strong today.

Courtesy photo

Matterhorn Mountain Motel & Cabins In the heart of the Historic District of Beautiful Lake City

Featuring…

409 Bluff Street

Laser 4000 Touchless/Brushless Automatic

970-944-2210

Self-Serve Bays Vacuums

Carpet Shampooer & Fragrance Station Accommodating Lake City visitors since 1949 Clean, Comfortable Rooms A Smoke-Free establishment Terry K. Morrow, Proprietor Website: www.matterhornmotel.com Email: matterhorn.motel@gmail.com

OPEN ALL YEAR Next door to High Mountain Liquor

881 N Main Street (North HWY 135)

Green, Efficient, Passive Solar ~ Values of Today Refined, Planned for You, Rustic ~ A Sense of Yesterday

Peter & Jim Harding 970.641.4568

p.harding@yahoo.com TheHardingCompany.com 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 57

RESEARCH SHOWS WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW: PARENTS ARE A MAJOR INFLUENCE IN THEIR KIDS’ DECISION-MAKING

Now is the time to talk to your 8-13 year olds about drugs and alcohol. Establishing a dialogue now can influence your kids’ decisions and will make it easier to keep the door open for discussion as they get older.

WHAT YOU SAY DOES MATTER! HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR MAKING THE CONVERSATION EASIER: 1. Use easy openings, like an alcohol ad or t.v. shows, to ask your kids what they think about alcohol.

2. Ask open-ended questions 3. Genuinely listen to what your child has to say.

4. Share your thoughts and concerns in a non judgmental manner.

5. Be honest and accurate with your information and responses. Kids appreciate the truth.

6. Share family expectations about substance use. Clearly state and enforce the consequences for breaking rules.

7. Having this talk happens more than once it is an ongoing dialogue.

58 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

It’s not all work and no play for the young participants in the Rocky Mountain Wrestling Camp. In addition to lots of drills and instruction, they get to enjoy the great outdoors of the Gunnison Valley — rafting, fishing and more.

Photo by Matt Smith

Spring Creek.

“It was something I looked forward to every year,” Van Hee said. “We used to stay in the cabins at the resort and then wrestle on mats in the middle of the cabins.”

Van Hee noted the rugged nature of the camps, with nightly tick checks and grapplers having to wear sunscreen while wrestling outside in the mid-day sun. He also reflected that he enjoyed the fishing up Spring Creek as much as the wrestling.

Today’s wrestlers, who come from as far away as Florida, get to enjoy the summertime offerings of the Gunnison Country as well; time is still allotted for fishing and whitewater rafting during the camp.

Eventually the camps outgrew Spring Creek and they moved on to the Western State College campus.

Current WSC athletic director and former head wrestling coach Greg Waggoner took the reins of the camp from Borah in 1985 and ran it for 13 years. He believes that the camp is successful because of the foundation that Borah laid.

“Coaches like to bring kids to the camp largely because of the relationships we build — with the history, heritage and brand that Tracy Borah started,” Waggoner said. “The coaches

Family is why we do it all.

Jay M. Wolkov, D.O. &AMILY 0RACTICE s /STEOPATHIC -EDICINE

Richard Almgren Ins Agcy Inc Richard C Almgren CLU ChFC CASL, Agent 609 North Main Gunnison, CO 81230-2409 Bus: 970-641-1407 Fax: 970-641-1605

Pamela vonMatthiessen, M.D.

We all feel the same commitment to care for our families.

Helping you meet your insurance needs is part of my commitment to you.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.ÂŽ CALL ME TODAY.

)NTERNAL -EDICINE s &AMILY 0RACTICE

Susan S. Watson D.O. &AMILY 0RACTICE %MERGENCY -EDICINE

Leandra Lynch, M.D. &AMILY 0RACTICE %MERGENCY -EDICINE

Nikki Williams, P.A.C. Family Practice Specializing in Total Family Care ,OCATED 7EST OF 'UNNISON 6ALLEY (OSPITAL

641-1771 OfďŹ ce Hours -ONDAY THRU &RIDAY 3ATURDAY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Van Hee noted the rugged nature of the camps, with nightly tick checks and grapplers having to wear sunscreen while wrestling outside in the mid-day sun.

0907504

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

707 N. Iowa â&#x20AC;˘ Gunnison, CO

J Reeser Architect LLC

â&#x20AC;? and wrestlers learn from each other and also enjoy the outdoors together.â&#x20AC;?

Waggoner added that the continuity of camp directors is a huge key to its success. In the 47 years of the program, it has had a mere three directors: Borah, Waggoner and Van Hee. Paul Lessard, a coach from Roswell, N.M., has been bringing wrestlers to the camp every year since 1994. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The camp is very valuable. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inexpensive and the competition is great.â&#x20AC;? Lessard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plus the Western State wrestlers provide invaluable coaching, with a good instructor-towrestler ratio.â&#x20AC;?

Jody Reeser, AIA ofďŹ ce. 970-641-4740 | fax. 1-866-470-8784 jody@jreeserarchitect.com | www.jreeserarchitect.com

Continued on page 61 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 59

WE PACK & SHIP, CRATE & FREIGHT BOXES & PACKAGING, FAX, COPY, PASSPORT PHOTOS, GREETING CARDS, PACKAGE RECEIVING. LUGGAGE FREE TRAVEL!

970.641.4227

125 W. VIRGINIA, AVE.

Mt. Crested Butte Stables 1.5 & 3 hour rides

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING PLAN REVIEW COMPLETE DESIGN “Strength by

Design”

W. Eric Williams, P.E. (970) 641-0496, cell: (970) 275-8972

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.” Prov. 24:3

Stay with us & we’ll give you a lift.

Almont Stables 1 hour rides Pony Rides Wilderness Day Trailrides Crested Butte to Aspen Adventures Fall Pack Trips

970-349-5425 www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com Operating under special use permit in the Gunnison and White River National Forests.

State of Colorado Outfitter Registration Number 2255.

Fantasy Ranch is an equal opportunity service provider.

ELEVATION HOTEL & SPA THE LODGE AT MOUNTAINEER SQUARE THE GRAND LODGE CRESTED BUTTE

Photos: Tom Stillo

THE PLAZA CONDOMINIUMS

#2%34%$ "544% -/5.4!). 2%3/24

60 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Stay at any CBMR property June 19 – September 6, 2010 and receive FREE lift tickets. One free single ride lift ticket for each guest on the reservation. Only available with advance bookings so call today.

(970)349-2222 staycb.com

Lessard’s son, Lance, has been coming to the camp since he was 7. He liked the camp so much he’s decided to attend Western. He’ll wrestle for coach Van Hee. “We would have never known about Western if it wasn’t for the camp,” Lessard said. “And now, as a student, he’ll know people already because of the connections he made at the Rocky Mountain Wrestling Camp.”

Van Hee ran his first camp in 1998, when he started as head wrestling coach, and has grown it every single year. Last year there were 1,100 in attendance.

Van Hee has also earned quite a name for himself through the success of the WSC wrestling program. This year they won their second Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) title in a row and he was also named RMAC Coach of the Year for the second time. Donovan McMahill, a junior who wrestles at 197 pounds, won the NCAA Division II national championship this year at that weight.

Additionally, Shane Carwin, a WSC alumnus, who wrestled under both Waggoner and Van Hee in the late ’90s, has gone on to fame in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ring. He’s currently the interim heavyweight champion, winning that title in front of millions of viewers. He frequently credits Western State

This is an aerial view of Spring Creek Resort. Every June for years, the place was turned into the headquarters of the Rocky Mountain Wrestling Camp.

Courtesy photo

athletics in interviews.

Van Hee admits that planning the camp is “a rodeo to keep it up and running.”

“It’s a year-round job and I rely heavily on

my assistant coaches, wrestlers and other clinicians,” he said. “It’s worth it though. And for a summer camp, there’s no better place to be than Gunnison.” ■

MT. EMMONS MOLY COMPANY Environment - Community - Opportunity Dedicated to Partnering with Other Businesses, Organizations and Individuals to Ensure a Stable, Diverse Local Economy and a Bright Future for Gunnison Country Residents and Visitors.

GUNNISON CRESTED BUTTE (970) 641-4996 (970) 349-7525 info@mountemmonsproject.com www.mountemmonsproject.com

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 61

Dining Guide Almont • C.B. • C.B. South • Mt. C.B. • Gunnison • Lake City

•

•

•

Parties, natural meats & organic produce

•

•

•

P.O. Box 1015

(970) 641-0644

Mesquite smoked barbecue

10209 Hwy. 135

(970) 641-4009

Steakhouse

•

•

•

•

•

Taylor Park

(970) 641-2555

Old fashioned, down home cooking

•

•

•

•

•

130 County Rd. 742

(970) 641-1303

Smoked meats, sandwiches, breakfast

•

•

•

•

•

•

Bacchanale

209 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-5257

Italian

•

•

•

•

Brick Oven Pizzeria

229 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-5044

Pizza, subs and pasta

•

•

•

•

Buckaroo Beanery

601 6th St.

(970) 349-5252

Coffee shop food

•

•

402 1/2 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-2500

Bagels, sandwiches and baked goods

•

•

Credit Cards

Dinner

Party hors d’oeuvres, variety, cooking classes

(970) 209-3928

Catering

Lunch

(970) 349-0956

Delivery

Breakfast

Carry Out

Cuisine

307 6th St. 301 Belleview Ave. #5

Libations

Phone

Child’s Menu

Location

See Ad Page

Playing hard in the Gunnison Valley builds up one’s appetite. Fortunately, there’s a local establishment to satisfy just about any hunger pang.

•

•

CATERING SERVICE Arrangements Catering & Events Creative Catering F-Bar Catering

•

•

•

•

•

•

ALMONT Almont Resort Nugget Cafe Three Rivers Resort Smokehouse

•

• • •

•

CRESTED BUTTE

Camp 4 Coffee

•

Dogwood Cocktail Cabin

309 3rd St.

(970) 349-6338

Small plates & cocktails

•

330 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6674

Mexican

•

EastSide Bistro

435 6th St.

(970) 349-9699

American with French and Latin influences

•

602 Butte Ave.

(970) 349-9656

Hot & cold sandwiches, burgers

•

Ginger Café

• •

•

425 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-7291

Thai and Indian, vegetarian friendly

(970) 349-5630

Gourmet breakfast and lunch

•

• •

Karolina’s Kitchen

127 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6756

Home-style cooking

•

•

Last Steep Bar & Grill

208 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-7007

American with a Caribbean flare

6th and Belleview

(970) 349-5808

Lil’s Sushi Bar & Grill

321 Elk Ave.

Lobar

•

•

•

•

•

•

218 Maroon Ave.

Izzy’s Deli

•

•

• •

•

•

Contemporary French

•

•

•

•

(970) 349-5457

Sushi, steaks, seafood and pasta

•

•

•

•

303 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-0480

Sushi

•

Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle

411 3rd St.

(970) 349-7401

Italian

•

Maxwell’s Steakhouse

226 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-5345

Steakhouse

McGill’s Restaurant

228 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-5240

American

Mikey’s Pizza

611 3rd St.

(970) 349-1110

Voted Crested Butte’s Best Pizza

Paradise Café

303 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6233

Traditional American food

Pitas in Paradise

214 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-0897

Princess Wine Bar

218 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-0210

Tapas and wine

Rumor’s Coffee & Tea House

414 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-7545

Breakfast and beverages

Ryce

120 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-9888

Asian Bistro

•

•

•

Secret Stash

21 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6245

Pizza, salads and wings

•

•

•

Slogar Bar & Restaurant

517 2nd St.

(970) 349-5765

Family-style

•

Smokin’ J’s BBQ

215 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6125

Now serving barbecue at The Eldo

•

Soupcon Bistro

127 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-5448

French American

Sunflower Deli

214 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6866

Deli sandwiches & counter

Talk of the Town

230 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6809

Pizza and tamales

311 1/2 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-2005

Mexican

201 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-9831

New American, fine dining

6th and Belleview

(970) 349-5858

Prepared food take-out and deli

222 Elk Ave.

(970) 349-6350

Steaks, chops and seafood

Teocalli Tamale Timberline Restaurant Why Cook?

Wooden Nickel

70

• • •

Mediterranean

•

• •

•

•

•

•

• • •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

• • •

• •

• •

•

• •

• •

•

• •

• •

• •

• •

•

child sizes

• •

• •

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

• •

Le Bosquet

• •

•

•

•

• •

Donita’s Cantina Gas Café

• •

•

• •

• •

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

CRESTED BUTTE SOUTH Camp 4 Coffee

161 Gillaspey

(970) 349-2500

Bagels, sandwiches and baked goods

•

•

General Store

228 Elcho Ave.

(970) 349-2551

Bread, sandwiches, grill and pizza

•

•

•

Ruben’s New Mexican Restaurant

207 Elcho Ave.

(970) 349-5003

Mexican

•

•

62 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Credit Cards

Carry Out

•

•

•

•

•

•

15 Emmons Loop

(970) 349-7195

All-American

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

22 Crested Mt. Way

(970) 349-4757

To-go baked goods from scratch

•

•

•

•

•

•

Ski area base

(970) 349-2999

Roadhouse, barbecue

•

•

•

620 Gothic Rd.

(970) 349-7574

Firehouse Grill

11 Snowmass Rd.

(970) 349-4666

American

Ice Bar at Uley’s Cabin

On the mountain

(970) 349-2275

The Breezeway

Catering

•

Wide Variety

Delivery

Dinner

Fine dining; chop house

(970) 209-3562

Libations

Lunch

Child’s Menu

Breakfast

(970) 251-3030

701 Gothic Rd.

Phone

In Elevation Hotel

Location

Cuisine

See Ad Page

The information in this guide is subject to change

MT. CRESTED BUTTE 9380 Prime Anyway Gourmet Avalanche Bar and Grill Bakery at Mt. CB Butte 66 Roadhouse BBQ django's Restaurant & Wine Bar

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Upscale Colorado Cuisine - seasonal

•

•

•

(970) 349-4755

Mexican - seasonal

•

•

•

Treasury Bldg

(970) 349-2998

Italian - seasonal

•

•

•

6 Emmons Loop

(970) 349-8030

Burgers, steaks and chicken

•

•

•

303 E. Tomichi

(970) 641-7360

Hickory smoked bar-b-q

•

•

•

•

226 N. Main

(970) 641-9907

Pizza

•

•

•

Blue Iguana

303 E. Tomichi

(970) 641-3403

Mexican

•

•

Brick Cellar Wine Bar

Spellbound Pizza Co. Woodstone Grille

Gourmet small plate & wine bar

•

• •

•

Jefe’s Burritos

92

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

• • •

GUNNISON 5 B’s Bar-B-Q Alamo/Pizza Mountain

•

122 W. Tomichi

(970) 641-9463

Bistro dining, sushi

•

•

Café Silvestre

903 N. Main

(970) 641-4001

Mexican

•

•

Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant

800 N. Main

(970) 641-0057

Mexican

•

•

•

113 W. Tomichi

(970) 642-6363

•

•

•

•

•

Double Dragon

73

•

72

•

Chinese

El Paraiso

112 S. Main

(970) 641-4957

Mexican

Farrell’s Restaurant

310 N. Main

(970) 641-2655

Fresh continental, baked goods

Fiesta Juchitlan

138 W. Tomichi

(970) 641-4248

Mexican

Firebrand Deli

108 N. Main

(970) 641-6266

Deli sandwiches

•

Garlic Mike’s

2674 Hwy. 50

(970) 641-2493

Gunni-Air Cafe

At the Airport

(970) 641-0869

Gunnisack Cowboy Bistro

142 N. Main

(970) 641-5445

64

Gunnison Brewery

138 N. Main

(970) 641-2739

72

Burgers, fish-n-chips, wraps, salads

Gunnison Vitamins

804 N. Main

(970) 641-5928

44

Natural and organic deli and bakery

House of China

405 W. Tomichi

(970) 641-0667

Mario’s Pizza & Ristorante

213 W. Tomichi

(970) 641-1374

McDonald’s

800 E. Tomichi

(970) 641-5050

710 N. Main

(970) 641-2006

Mochas Coffeehouse

71

66

•

• •

•

•

• •

• limited

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

American/southwestern

Sun.

• •

•

•

•

•

Chinese

•

•

Italian

•

•

• •

Bagels, sandwiches and wraps

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

66/67

American

•

•

•

•

•

74

American

•

•

•

•

•

Elk Creek Marina

(970) 641-0403

Casual dining; breakfast weekends

•

•

•

•

730 N. Main

(970) 641-5255

“New York style pizza” pastas, salads

•

•

800 W. Tomichi

(970) 641-3747

Pizza

•

•

905 N. Main

(970) 641-2328

American

•

•

•

Sonic Drive-In

300 E. Tomichi

(970 642-0334

All-American fast food

•

•

•

Subway

134 E. Tomichi

(970) 641-1853

Subs, salads, wraps, ice cream

•

206 N. Main

(970) 641-4990

Southern bistro - soul food and Cajun

310 W. Tomichi

(970) 641-0414

Mexican

The Bean Coffeehouse & Eatery

120 N. Main

(970) 641-2408

The Flying Burritos

107 S. Main

(970) 641-5777

California-style burritos & hot wings

1 mi west on Hwy. 50

(970) 641-3724

Steaks and seafood

114 N. Main

(970) 641-1744

Full breakfast and lunch menu

Taco Bell

The Trough W Café

71

Crepes, bagels, sandwiches

•

•

• •

•

(970) 641-5153

75

• •

•

•

(970) 641-9223

Sugah’s Cafe

• •

•

139 N. Main

Power Stop

• •

•

820 N. Main

Pizza Hut

• •

•

Ol’ Miner Steakhouse

Pie-Zan’s Pizzeria

•

•

Palisades Restaurant Pappy’s Restaurant

• •

•

•

67

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Sun.

•

•

•

Italian

•

• •

•

•

Fast food

• •

•

•

•

•

•

American/southwestern

• •

•

• •

•

•

•

•

• • •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

• •

•

•

LAKE CITY Bruno’s Restaurant & Grill

1221 N. Hwy. 149

(970) 944-2415

Upscale French continental/Fresh pizza

Lake City Bakery

922 N. Hwy. 149

(970) 944-2613

Baked goods

205 Gunnison Ave.

(970) 944-0302

Coffee, smoothies, pastries

•

308 Silver St.

(970) 944-0334

Coffee, tea, smoothies, breakfast burritos

•

•

No Name Restaurant

230 N. Gunnison Ave.

(970) 944-4008

American

•

•

•

•

•

Old Timer’s Cafe

310 N. Gunnison Ave.

(970) 944-7007

American

•

•

•

•

•

310 Silver St.

(970) 944-4144

Grilled American food

•

•

188 S Gunnison Ave.

(970) 944-4100

Coffees, sandwiches, pizza

•

•

•

•

MeanJean’s Internet Coffee Shop Mocha Moose Coffee House

Packer Saloon & Cannibal Grill Poker Alice Pizza Soup Kitchen

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

808 Gunnison Ave.

(970) 944-7687

Sandwiches, homemade soups

•

•

200-A Silver St.

(970) 944-2010

Southern style comfort food

•

•

Sportsman’s BBQ Station

173 S. Gunnison

(970) 944-2525

Texas-style BBQ brisket, chicken and pork ribs

•

•

•

•

219 N Silver St.

(970) 944-8020

Homemade soups, sandwiches & salads

•

•

135 S. Gunnison St.

(970) 944-0444

American

•

•

•

•

Tic Toc Diner

•

• •

Southern Vittles Sweet Pea’s Natural Foods

grill only

•

• •

•

•

•

•

• • •

•

•

•

• •

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 63

FEATURES...

BAJA BURGER...Our most popular with green chiles, avocado, pepper jack and southwest mayo.

ROAST BEEF DIP...With mushrooms and melted cheddar.

RED PEPPER PECAN PESTO PASTA...Unique flavor with your choice of chicken, salmon or portabella over linguine.

CHICKEN FRIED RIBEYE...Gunnison’s favorite, hand cut, pounded, breaded, deep fried and served with scratch country gravy, mashers and biscuits.

GRILLED SALMON SALAD...Salmon filet over fresh greens with jicama, tomato, avocado, swiss and blue cheese.

AUNT PATSY’S POT PIE...Our scratch chicken pot pie served piping hot with a house salad.

2009 PEOPLES CHOICE

FOCCACIA CLUB SAMICH...Ham, turkey, bacon, swiss, cheddar and honey mustard with lettuce, tomato and onion on our house baked foccacia bread.

FISH & CHIPS...Atlantic Cod, hand battered and breaded, deep fried and served with our red pepper tartar.

CHICKEN WINGS...Served by the lb. Get’em ornery, wild, bbq or sesame ginger.

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 PEOPLES CHOICE

2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 PEOPLES CHOICE

Our vegetarian menu is larger than some menus around town!

Fresh, scratch, original recipes and a Southwestern flair! With our Ground-in-House Angus beef burgers, Chicken Fried Ribeye, Fish & Chips, Chili, Soups, Salads, Steaks, Chipotle Wraps and Freshly Baked Desserts & Breads...

It’s easy to see why we’re a Locals favorite!

People’s Choice Winner for Best Burgers, Chicken Fried Steak and 2009 Business of the year.

Kids menu, full bar, mc/vis/amex/dis

Serving Lunch & Dinner 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Mon-Sat Located on the first block of North Main in the heart of Downtown Gunnison

142 N. Main St., Gunnison Co 81230 970-641-5445 64 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

w

CHECK OUT THE

It’s not fast food, It’s good food fast!

LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR AT THE AIRPORT. OPEN DEC. — APRIL

Cattlemen’s Days

tradition lives on

Each July — historically between the spring calving and summer haying seasons — the hands of time seem to stop in Gunnison. The Western way of life returns to the forefront of the community, where family comes first, where cattle are king and cowboys and cowgirls test their skills at breakneck speed.

It’s called Cattlemen’s Days. And this year marks the 110th annual celebration in Gunnison.

For 10 days, beginning Friday, July 9, there will be events galore. From 4-H students showing off their projects and livestock, to rodeos and horse race meets, a carnival, parade, dances and more, there truly is something for everyone.

But Cattlemen’s Days isn’t just a celebration of the way things once were. It’s the continuation of a legacy that lives on today. Join us in the fun this summer.

Photos by Matt Smith 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 65

The Gunnison News building, circa 1900.

Gunnison

a newspaper NEED WE SAY town for MORE 130 years and counting

See us for your catering needs. We specialize in weddings and special events.

Mario's Pizza & Pasta Featuring

A GUNNISON FAVORITE FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Italian Dinners Pizza Calzones Sandwiches Burgers Famous wooden bowl salads Kids menu Wine and Beer Low carb menu Available for - dine in - take out - delivery

66 |

Voted Best Salad & Pizza!

2008 People's Choice Awards 213 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison

(970)641-1374 Catering available for ALL occasions

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

by Larry Jensen

Start-ups and mergers 1880-1975

T

his past April marked the 130th year in which the City of Gunnison has been served by at least one regularly published newspaper.

The distinction for the first newspaper here goes to the Gunnison News of April 17, 1880.

Between then and 1975, seven more newspapers were established and merged on what was a long and winding road toward creating the Gunnison Country Times of today.

Tracing those start-ups and mergers is a rather convoluted road.

The establishment of the Gunnison News

by Col. W.H.F. Hall was soon followed by the Gunnison Review, which began publishing in May 1880. A third paper, the Gunnison Democrat, began publishing in August 1880.

And a fourth, the Gunnison Free Press, was established in September 1881.

Before the Free Press started, the News and the Democrat merged in June 1881 to form the Gunnison News-Democrat. After only

11 months, the Free Press merged with the Review to form the Gunnison Review-Press in August 1882. For those of you keeping score, the four newspapers have now become two.

Things remained relatively stable until 1891. The News-Democrat stopped publishing in March, only to resume in October as the second Gunnison News. Meanwhile, the Review-Press was sold and renamed the Gunnison Tribune. Net total is still two.

A new Gunnison newspaper, the People’s Champion, was established in 1894 by supporters of People’s Party presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. Net total is now three.

The march toward the future began in December 1900, when Henry Freeman Lake, Jr., purchased the Gunnison News. Lake was a Michigan native who relocated to the area in 1895. He would be a player in Gunnison newspaper circles for almost 50 years.

In January 1901, Lake purchased the People’s Champion and merged his two papers to become the Gunnison News-Champion, a masthead that would survive for just under 75 years. Gunnison was briefly back down to two papers. But it didn’t last long. The Gunnison Republican began publishing shortly thereafter, apparently to offer a competing voice.

The Gunnison Tribune continued publishing until 1904, when Lake purchased it and folded it into his empire. The News-Champion and the Republican remained competitors until 1932, when Lake purchased the Republican and it, too, became part of the empire. Briefly, there was only the News-Champion.

Another competing voice was quickly established in 1932. It was originally named The Gunnison Echo, but became the Gunnison Courier in January 1933. Again there were two.

Henry Lake passed away at the age of 74 on Feb. 4, 1948. His family sold the Gunnison News-Champion to Wallace D. “Wally” and Vesta Foster that October. The Fosters purchased the Gunnison Courier in 1955, but kept it a separate paper and continued to publish both. Subscriptions included both papers. At the time, the Courier was published on Sundays and the News-Champion on Wednesdays.

Another new paper, the Gunnison County Globe, began publishing in 1957. For the next 18 years things remained status quo. Gunnison was a three newspaper town, representing two editorial voices.

Continued on page 70

ENOUGH SAID See us for your catering needs. We specialize in weddings and special events.

Bagels - Wraps - Sandwiches - Ice Cream - Milk Shakes Smoothies - Espresso Drinks - Kids Menu & More Fresh Baked Goods Everyday!

6am - 9pm Everyday 710 N. Main St. • Gunnison, Colorado • 641-2006 Come and enjoy our newly expanded sitting room with free WIFI! 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 67

Lodging Guide Almont • C.B. • C.B. South • Gunnison • Lake City • Mt. C.B. • Sargents

Nightly Rate Range

•

Telephone

•

•

Seasonal

•

•

Sauna

•

•

Restaurant

Pet Friendly

•

•

Pool

Non-Smoking Available

•

Laundry on Property

•

•

Kitchen Units

• •

•

Kids’ Activities

• •

Internet Access

• •

Hot Tub

Handicap Access

Fishing Access

Fireplace

Exercise Facility

Cable/Satellite TV

Breakfast Included

BBQ Grill

Bar

Property Type*

See Ad Page

From B&Bs to campgrounds to fine hotels, the Gunnison Valley offers a great variety of overnight accommodations to meet your needs.

CRESTED BUTTE Alpine Getaways - 970-349-0539

C

•

Cement Creek Ranch - 970-349-6512

Ca

•

CB Int’l Lodge & Hostel - 970-349-0588

Hstl

•

•

C

•

•

Cristiana Guesthaus - 970-349-5326

I

•

Elizabeth Anne Bed and Breakfast - 970-349-0147

B

CB Property Management - 970-349-5780

Elk Mountain Lodge - 970-349-7533

I

Inn at CB Boutique Hotel & Spa - 970-349-2111

I

Old Town Inn - 970-349-6184 Peak Property Management & Sales - 970-349-6339

•

C

•

• •

•

Pioneer Guest Cabins - 970-349-5517

Ca

•

C

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

PR Property Management, Inc. - 970-349-6281

• •

•

H 75

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Call Call $25-$250

•

$98-$1750

•

•

$125-$225

•

$149-$179

•

•

$149-$199

• •

•

•

• •

•

$80-$120

•

•

•

•

•

$89-$119

•

•

•

•

•

$95-$1800

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$150-$1500

• •

Purple Mountain Lodge - 970-349-5888

B

•

•

•

•

•

The Ruby of Crested Butte - 800-390-1338

B

•

•

•

•

•

M

•

•

H

•

•

Affordable Inns Tomichi Village - 970-641-1131

H

•

•

Blue Mesa Ranch & RV Resort - 970-642-4150

Ca/CG/ RV

•

•

•

•

•

$120-$220 •

$99-$199 •

Call

GUNNISON ABC Motel - 970-641-2400

72

Alpine Inn - 970-641-2804

•

H

•

•

Days Inn - 970-641-0608

H

•

•

Ferro’s Blue Mesa Ranch & Store - 970-641-4671

Ca

•

33

CG

•

Gunnison Lakeside Resort Inc. - 970-641-0477

80

CG

•

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - 970-641-1288

71

H

Island Acres Motel - 970-641-1442

70

Kreuger Ranch - 970-210-0600 Long Holiday Motel - 970-641-0536

•

M

•

•

Ca/RV

•

•

•

RV

•

Quality Inn - 970-641-1237

H

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$50-$100

•

•

•

$40-$120

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Call

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$20-$99

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Super 8 Motel - 970-641-3068

M

•

•

Swiss Inn - 970-641-9962

M CG

•

I

•

•

•

R/B

•

•

•

•

•

•

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

• • •

• •

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

• •

• •

M •

•

•

•

$48-$80

•

$55-$65

•

•

$21-$85

•

$65-$155

Call

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$65-$85

•

$55-$90

•

• •

• •

$54-$175

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$32

•

•

• •

•

$19-$90 $99-$169

•

• •

• •

•

•

•

Call $46-$99

• •

•

•

•

•

•

Rates reflect year round seasonal lowest to highest prices.

68 |

• •

•

•

Tall Texan Campground - 970-641-2927

•

•

•

M

•

•

•

Seasons Inn - 970-641-0700

Ca/M

•

•

•

Wildwood Resort & Cabin Rentals - 970-641-1663

$56-$160

•

•

84

•

•

M

Western Motel - 970-641-1722

$62-$89

•

•

Ca

Water Wheel Inn - 970-641-1650

•

•

•

Rodeway Inn - 970-641-0500

Waunita Hot Springs Ranch - 970-641-1266

•

•

•

CG/Ca

75

•

•

• •

Palisades Senior RV Park - 970-641-4951 Rockey River Resort - 970-641-0174

•

•

•

M

Mesa RV Resort - 970-641-3186

•

•

•

Comfort Inn - 970-642-1000

Gunnison KOA Kampground - 970-641-1358

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

$55-$120

•

$50-$78

•

$19-$90

•

$69-$155

•

$95-$250

•

•

•

$45-$95

•

•

•

$55-$235

•

•

•

Nightly Rate Range

•

•

•

Telephone

•

•

•

•

Seasonal

•

•

Sauna

•

Restaurant

•

•

Pool

•

•

•

Pet Friendly

•

•

Non-Smoking Available

•

Laundry on Property

•

Kitchen Units

Internet Access

• •

Kids’ Activities

Hot Tub

Handicap Access

• •

Fishing Access

• •

Fireplace

•

Exercise Facility

•

Cable/Satellite TV

•

Breakfast

Bar •

BBQ Grill

Property Type*

See Ad Page

Ca R/Ca

ALMONT Almont Resort - 970-641-4009 Harmel’s Ranch Resort - 970-641-1740 Lost Canyon Resort - 970-641-0181

Ca

Three Rivers Resort - 970-641-1303

Ca

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$95 and up •

$110 and up

• •

•

•

•

$88-$159 •

$65-$315

LAKE CITY Alpine Moose Lodge - 800-650-1221

M

•

Alpine Village - 970-944-2266

Ca

•

At the Lake - 386-467-2499 Castle Lakes Campground & Cabins - 970-944-2622 Cozy Corner - 970-944-2229

Ca

•

Ca/CG

•

• •

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

G & M Cabins - 970-944-2282

Ca

•

•

•

Henson Creek RV Park - 970-944- 2394

RV

•

•

•

•

Highlander RV Campground - 970-944-2878

RV

•

•

•

•

Inn at the Lake - 970-944-2032

B

•

Lake City Resort - 970-944-2866

M

Lakeview Property Management - 970-944-2401 Linny’s Stay and Play - 970-944-2408 Matterhorn Mountain Motel - 970-944-2210

• •

Ca/C

•

I

•

B

•

Oleo Guest Ranch - 830-336-4370

Ca

•

Pleasant View Resort - 970-944-2262

Ca

•

Rocky Top Lodge - 970-944-2780

Ca/C

Silver Spur Motel - 970-944-2231

M

Squire’s River Front Cabins - 970-944-7779

•

•

•

• •

$145

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$200 $95-$140

•

•

$65-$150 $44-$59

• •

•

•

$85 and up

• •

•

•

$35 and up $32 $90 and up $64-$114

•

$130-$350

•

$65-$125

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$89-$150

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$128-$180

•

•

•

•

w/ dep.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Ca

•

•

•

Stay in Lake City - 970-944-1161

Ca

•

•

•

The Texan Resort - 970-944-2246

Ca

•

•

Vickers Ranch - 970-944-2249

Ca

Wagon Wheel Cabins - 970-944-2264

Ca

•

•

Westwood Resort, Inc. - 970-944-2205

Ca

•

•

Woodlake Park - 970-944-2283

C

•

•

•

•

•

M/Ca/C

Old Carson Inn Bed & Breakfast - 970-944-2511

•

•

•

Ca

•

•

•

•

RV/CG

Elkhorn RV Resort & Cabins - 970-944-2920

•

•

$80-$90

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

extra charge

•

•

•

•

w/ dep.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$165 and up •

$125 to $165

•

$140-$185

• •

$79 + •

Call

•

$250

•

Call

•

$155-$355

extra charge

•

$80-$108

•

•

$65-$100

•

•

$28-$31

MT. CB Elevation Hotel & Spa - 970-251-3000

H

CBMR Properties, Inc. - 800-544-8448

C

•

CB Lodging Co. & Property Mgmt - 800-451-5699

C

•

Crested Butte Retreat - 970-349-1701

I

•

Crested Butte Ski Condo - 509-783-7048

C

•

Grand Lodge CB - 970-349-8000

H

•

Lodge at Mountaineer Square - 970-349-4000

H

•

Nordic Inn - 970-349-5542

74

•

•

•

• •

WestWall Lodge - 970-349-1280

C

•

B/I

•

•

•

•

•

C

•

•

•

I

San Moritz Condominiums - 800-443-7459

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

extra charge

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

$159-$639

•

$115-$1600

•

•

$127-$1138

•

•

Call

•

$195-$500

•

•

•

•

Call

•

•

•

•

$125-$1300

•

$95-$242

• •

•

•

•

•

$80-$645

•

$239-$2119

OTHER Inn at Arrowhead (Cimarron) - 970-862-8206

82

Powderhorn Guest Ranch - 970-641-0220

R

•

Quartz Creek Lodge (Pitkin) - 970-641-6174

Ca

•

Tomichi Creek Trading Post (Sargents) - 970-641-0674

Ca/CG/ RV

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• •

• •

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

$125-$165 •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Call $75-$85

•

•

$30-$150

Legend: Bed & Breakfast = B, Cabins = Ca, Campground = CG, Condos = C, Hotel = H, Inn = I, Motel = M, Ranch = R, Recreational Vehicles = RV 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 69

Join us for

««iÌ âiÀÃÊUÊ7À>«ÃÊ , ViÊ Ü ÃÊUÊ* Ì>ÃÊUÊ- Õ«Ê -> >`ÊUÊ iÀÊ-«iV > Ã "«i Ê Õ V Ê> `Ê iÀ 212 Elk Ave., Crested Butte (970)349-0897

Henry F. Lake, Jr.

ÀÊ>ÊvÕ Ê i ÕÊÛ Ã ÌÊ ÕÀÊÜiLÃ ÌiÊ>ÌÊÜÜÜ°« Ì>Ã «>À>` Ãi°V

• Multiple room layouts with fully stocked kitchens • Pet friendly • Superb views • Easy access to restaurants, fishing, hiking/biking trails and Hartman Rocks • Park-like setting with outdoor firepits, grills and picnic areas • Ample parking for boats and trailers • Vintage charm and ambience • Environmentally friendly • Recently upgraded

Island Acres Resort 38339 W. Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO 970 . 641 . 1442 www.islandacresresort.com

70 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

In July 1975, Sams Communications purchased the two Foster papers and the Globe.

All three were merged to create the Gunnison Country Times, effective Aug. 18, 1975.

Return to local roots 1975 to present The 35-year saga of the Gunnison Country Times began when Perkins D. Sams and his wife Elizabeth Bradley Sams achieved their dream of owning a small town newspaper.

They were Texans who began visiting the county in the 1950s and moved here full time in the 1960s, living along the Taylor River.

Their Sams Communications purchased all three Gunnison newspapers in July 1975 and within a few weeks had combined them all into one — the Times, which was published once a week. Mrs. Sams served as publisher for the first year. A single-car accident on Taylor River Road claimed her life on Aug. 1, 1976. Mr. Sams then stepped into the leadership role for the next 14 years.

On Dec. 1, 1990, he sold the Times to Jerry L. Brock, who had owned several small newspapers on the Front Range and truly loved the newspaper business, according to his friend Mike Ritchey. Brock formed Gunnison Communications, Inc., serving

ive Car, r e, at... r k i y A b Bo yB

b

by

garlicmikes.com 2674 Highway 135 Just North of Gunnison

Just Get Here!

(970) 641-2493

Ask about our Summer Float & Dine • packages!

Dinner Nightly at 5:00 p.m

Perkins D. Sams

•

as its president and relying on local staff to produce the Times.

In 1993, Ritchey and his business partner Tony Daranyi started the Telluride Daily Planet newspaper in its namesake city. They also produced the Montrose County Shopper.

Printing for both was done primarily in Cortez. Over time, the distance became a burden.

A conversation with Brock about purchasing a printing press to be centrally located in Montrose turned into an offer by Brock to sell them the Times and the Mountain Sun newspaper in Crested Butte. On March 8, 1995, the sale was completed.

The Ritchey-Daranyi team became copublishers and during the years they owned the Times, changes were made. The paper had been expanded to five-days-a-week (Tuesdays through Saturdays) while Brock owned it.

This was cut back to weekly. A renewed emphasis on reporters truly covering local news took root. Their idea of centrally printing all of their publications in Montrose also became reality in 1998.

The winds of change were blowing again, though. Jeremy L. Halbreich, who had been a major corporate player in Dallas-Fort Worth media for many years, decided he wanted Continued on page 72

Closes Wester t hotel to n State College

HOTEL

SUITES

Gunnison’s newest & finest accommodations •Complimentary Express Start hot breakfast •Indoor Pool •Indoor & Outdoor (seasonal) spas •Fitness Center with Nautilus equipment •24 Hour Business Center •Microwave & Refrigerator in All Rooms •Free Wireless Internet •27" flat screen TV's with DVD players •Local shuttle •Guest laundry •Priority Club Rewards Points •Packages available

910 E Tomichi Ave Gunnison, CO 81230

•Two room suites featuring Jacuzzi tubs and steam showers available •Meeting & event space •All interior corridors •Ample parking available •Great location to access the recreational and cultural amenities of Gunnison & Crested Butte

Mention this ad to receive a welcome gift upon check in!

970.641.1288

www.hiexpress.com/gunnisonco

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 71

9djWaZ 9gV\dc 8]^cZhZ GZhiVjgVci $INE )N s4AKE /UT /PEN $AYS -ON &RI A M P M 3AT 3UN P M P M

7 4OMICHI s 'UNNISON #/ s

Clean! â&#x20AC;˘ Comfortable!

Affordable!

970-641-2400 â&#x20AC;˘ 212 E. Tomichi Avenue â&#x20AC;˘ Gunnison

Downtown Gunnison '). Dehj^ CW_d Ijh[[j Â&#x161; /-& ,*'#8H;M

Jim Smidl (shown here) and his partner Ken Bundy in 1946 built the building that houses the Gunnison Country Times today.

to build his own news group. He formed American Consolidated Media, LP, in 1998 and the following spring made Ritchey and Daranyi an offer they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t refuse for all of their holdings. On April 28, 1999, Halbreich announced the acquisition.

Again, the paper was operated â&#x20AC;&#x153;remote controlâ&#x20AC;? by outside ownership interests.

Ritchey was disappointed with the direction the Times was going and began to regret selling it, believing that Gunnison deserved something better than what was being produced. An inquiry was made and, for whatever reason, Halbreich was willing to sell the Times back to Ritchey.

Through his Rosebud of Gunnison, LLC, Ritchey reacquired the Gunnison Country Times on June 28, 2001, with the intention of making the â&#x20AC;&#x153;course correctionâ&#x20AC;? he believed was necessary and ultimately finding a new owner that would continue to produce a high-quality, locally-owned newspaper. He found two owners.

Which brings us to the present. When he reacquired the Times, Ritchey â&#x20AC;&#x153;inheritedâ&#x20AC;?

Stephen J. Pierotti, who had joined the production team in 2000. Ritchey also encouraged former reporter Chris Dickey to return in the position of managing editor, which he did, effective Jan. 1, 2002. Pierottiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of production and graphics and Dickeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of journalism â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the long hours and hard work both were willing to perform in the pursuit of excellence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; impressed Ritchey.

On Jan. 6, 2006, Pierotti and Dickey bought Ritchey out, formed Gunnison Country Publications, LLC, and became co-owners of the Gunnison Country Times. Ritchey and his wife, Susan, still live in Gunnison, pleased that community journalism continues to be alive and well here. â&#x2013; (This article first appeared in the Gunnison Country Timesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Glance into Historyâ&#x20AC;? column on April 16, 2009)

72 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Gunnison’s Premier Wine & Martini Bar

Bar

OPEN Tuesday-Saturday

&

5pm-Midnight

Bistro

Serving Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 5pm - 10pm Featuring Regionally Grown Products Tuesday Sushi Nights

Voted People’s Choice Best Drinking Establishment & Best Bartender!

122 West Tomichi ~ Downtown Gunnison ~ 970.641.9463

GOT WINE.

Lots of wine!!

Voted

Best Liquor Store People’s Choice Awards

2002-2009

Gunnison Valley’s largest selection of BEER, fine WINE, CHAMPAGNE, LIQUOR and CIGARS!

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! Local Authors & Colorado History

Special Orders Welcome!

Best Selection of MAPS in the Valley

Travel Games, Puzzles and Journals

Drive-thru service and delivery available!

Laminating Services 211 North Main (Hwy 135)

Next door to Bank of the West ~ Downtown Gunnison

970-641-3693

901 North Main (HWY 135), Gunnison 970-641-6304 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 73

Get your head in the stars ,UNCH s $INNER Weekend Breakfast Buffet (OMEMADE 3OUPS s 3ANDWICHES s 'REAT 3TEAKS s &RESH 3ALADS s $ESSERTS

. -AIN s 'UNNISON #/ s WWW GUNNISONPALISADES COM

Personalized service, attention to detail, and convenience are just a few of the reasons that we stand out in Crested Butte. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to be treated with good, old-fashioned hospitality, call us!

1.800.542.7669 . Outdoor Hot Tub . Continental Breakfast . Walk to Base Area

Crested Butteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Friendly Little Family-Owned Lodge Check us out on the Web at www.nordicinncb.com

Ask about our chalets for 6-8 people.

.

.

P.O. Box 939 Crested Butte, Colorado 81224 E-mail: info@nordicinncb.com 970.349.5542 970.349.6487 Fax

74 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

.

The Gunnison Valley Observatory.

Courtesy photo

T

he Gunnison Valley Observatory Board oversees the publicly-owned, 30-inch telescope which is housed just south of town, near Hartman Rocks. They have a full 2010 viewing season planned.

The spring and fall â&#x20AC;&#x153;shoulderâ&#x20AC;? seasons will feature public viewing sessions most Friday evenings. For a small donation, people will be able to view planets, stars, nebula and galaxies through the big, dome-housed telescope and a smaller amateur scope located outside. The gates will open at 8 p.m. and no reservations are required. Nights are chilly, so dress warmly.

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;Summer Nights Programâ&#x20AC;? will be held on Friday and Saturday nights starting on July 2. Viewers are invited to come and enjoy a mini-lecture on a variety of interesting astronomy topics and then view the night sky through the 30-inch telescope and several amateur telescopes. Gates for the Summer Nights Programs will open at 8 p.m. Suggested donation for the Summer Series is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

New this viewing season will be monthly â&#x20AC;&#x153;Members-Onlyâ&#x20AC;? events. These events will include socializing with other members and knowledgeable astronomers, astronomy presentations, a chance to use the facilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scopes or learn to use your own scope, and special viewing sessions.

Rock y t r o s e s e R R r e v i R y Rocke R rt On the Gunnison River

Six Miles Northgof Gunnison y

4359 County Rd. 10 Gunnison, Colorado 81230

(970) 641-0174

Completely Furnished Completely FurKitchenettes Cabins with Cabins with Kitch and Fireplaces and Fir

Moderate Rates, Clean, Comfortable & Quiet

Peak Property Management & Sales Specializing in Photo by Chris Rourke

Several levels of membership are available at the Gunnison Valley Observatory.

The observatory is located at 2804 County Road 38 (Gold Basin Road). From Gunnison, go west on Hwy. 50 from town, then turn left on the road to Hartman Rocks. Continue around the airport runway, then travel south for about a mile. The observatory is on your left.

Information on all of the general community and special member-only viewing nights is available on the GVO website at gunnisonobservatory.org, or on the valley-wide community events calendar at gcbcalendar. com.

As is heard at the observatory: Carpe Noctem â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seize the Night. â&#x2013;

KKK D95?76 7CA

â&#x20AC;˘ Real Estate Sales â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Vacation Rentals â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Caretaking â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Association Management â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Long Term Rentals â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Remodels â&#x20AC;˘

@? J9BI9 F9GH98 IHH9

0# &/! - "

& , 1 ,

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 75

A wide-open meadow. A quiet stream. No crowds. That’s what fishing in the Gunnison Basin is all about.

Photo by Allan Ivy

For a high-mountain desert, we sure have a lot of water FISHING EVENTS 10th Annual Taylor Park Marina Fishing Derby, June 12 Cash prizes will be presented for longest northern pike, largest pike by weight, most pike caught and largest trout caught in the Taylor Park Reservoir. Registration begins at 6 a.m., with eligible fishing times between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The entry fee is $30 per person. Registration for the kids’ division is free (non-cash prizes). Everyone receives a door prize. For information, contact Taylor Park Marina at 970.641.2922 or 719.395.6484 or visit www.taylorparkmarina.com.

Continued on page 78

76 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Blue Mesa Reservoir is known for attracting anglers looking to land ‘the big one.’

Courtesy photo

52 WEEKS A YEAR

WE COVER THE NEWS OF THE VALLEY

SUBSCRIBE TODAY Call (970) 641-1414, write to subscribe@gunnisontimes.com, stop by our office at 218 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison or visit www.gunnisontimes.com.

Ninth Annual Caddis Cup Fly-fishing Tournament, July 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;16 Catch the biggest flopper or tell the biggest whopper during the Crested Butte Land Trust Caddis Cup fly-fishing tournament.

Participants are invited to an opening barbecue at the beautiful Cement Creek Ranch, where guides are matched with competitors to plot strategy. The next morning, each pair heads into the wilds for catch-and-release fly-fishing adventures in the valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prized (and secret) fishing holes. At dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end, everyone gathers for prizes, beer and tall fish tales, all on behalf of land conservation. The event entry fee is $600. Registration can be taken by phone at 970.349.1206, by e-mail at events@cblandtrust.org.

Superfly Fishing Tournament, Sept. 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;11 The Gunnison Angling Society, founded in 1969 and a local chapter of Trout Unlimited, is hosting its 20th annual Superfly fishing tournament on Sept. 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;11. The tournament will be a classic two-fly contest, meaning each two-person team has to choose the two flies they will be fishing with

For the most part, rafting the Gunnison River is a gentle float. Until you get to the Whitewater Park just west of town.

Courtesy photo

for the duration of the tournament to catch as many inches of trout as possible.

A reception will be held in Almont on Friday night to discuss rules, meet guides

and draw locations for the next morning and afternoon. One section of private water and one public section will be fished in two competitive sessions on Saturday, conclud-

o. gC in

Gunn iso Colorado, U.S.A.

The Crested Butte Br e

w

n,

Gunnison, Colorado, U.S.A.

The Crested Butte Brewing Co.

India Pale Ale

Local brewsâ&#x20AC;Ś 7XST F] XLI RI[ 8ET 6SSQ XS WEQTPI SYV LERH GVEJXIH FIIVW

â&#x20AC;˘ Pints and Samplers, Growlers and Kegs-to-Go â&#x20AC;˘ Wine and Food, too! â&#x20AC;˘ (2) Big-Screen TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;˘ Chill on the Paradise Patio

135

50

50

'VIWXIH &YXXI &VI[MRK 'SQTER] ` ;IWX 97 ,[] +YRRMWSR 'SPSVEHS ` 78 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

RAFTING EVENTS Of course, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great rafting â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from mild to wild â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in the Gunnison Basin throughout the summer and fall. The Taylor and Gunnison rivers offer a variety of options, from angling floats to thrilling whitewater adventures. There are plenty of guides available locally to help you on your way.

There is also one all-encompassing festival that celebrates our local river resource and culture.

The Gunnison River Festival, June 24-27 Most of these events take place at the Gunnison Whitewater Park, located on the western outskirts of town.

On Thursday, June 24, registration takes place from 4-6 p.m. at the IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison. There will also be music and a reception downtown.

Friday, June 25, is qualifying day and event registration. A kayak freestyle rodeo takes place at the Gunnison Whitewater Park.

Saturday is the big day of the fest, including the following events: 9 a.m., Community River Parade, from North Bridge to the Whitewater Park; 10 a.m., competitive raft race, North Bridge to Whitewater Park; Brick Trick Contest; Kids Fun Zone (all day at Whitewater Park); Noon, river board exhibition; 2:30 p.m., Kayak Slalom Race; 3:30 p.m., Hooligan Race; All day, Foamy Boat Race at Whitewater Park; and an after-party at a location TBD. Sunday, June 27, brings the Taylor Canyon Enduro (Whitewater Put-in to Confluence, 12 miles) at 9 a.m. The Upper Taylor Down River Race takes contestants from the Whitewater Put-in to South Bank, beginning at 10 a.m. The Taylor River Poker Run, starting at noon, takes participants from the 5-Mile Put-in to the Confluence. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all topped off with awards and music in Almont. â&#x2013;

Unlock

Paradise ww o w.P e s. c rem i t r e ier-Mountain-Prop

m

ing with a banquet and awards ceremony that evening in Almont. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate. The registration fee for each team is $500.

For more information, call John at 970.641.4828 or Mark at 970.641.7404 or visit www.gunnisontu.org. Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Almont Resort. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Crested Butte Enjoy the Serenity â&#x20AC;˘ $535,000 Remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with garage is on a .49 acre lot bordering open space.

Protected views, tennis courts and fishing rights!

3 Bedroom Ski-In/Ski-Out Condo â&#x20AC;˘ $369,900 Great value for Mt. Crested Butte ski-in condo.

Remodeled inside and out. Only $278/ square foot!

Lowest price per sq. ft. for ski-in condo! All inclusive complex with hot tubs, saunas and private shuttle.

Irwin Lake Cabin â&#x20AC;˘ $299,000 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1163 square foot home has a well, new water heater, South facing deck, workshop and is solar powered! This home is located at the base of the West Elk range and offers fishing at Irwin Lake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been investing in real estate for over 30 years and Mindy Sturm is the best agent I have ever worked with.â&#x20AC;?

Bob Lordon - Seabrook, TX

Gunnison 40 Acres, Gunnison â&#x20AC;˘ $125,000 40 acres with easy year round access bordering BLM land. Includes a seasonal watering hole and a flat grassy area perfect for a barn or trailers. Bring the horses and ATVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Great price!

Home on the Gunnison River â&#x20AC;˘ $239,500 Tucked away on its own little hideaway on the Gunnison River! Unique opportunity with many possibilities. Riverfront .49 acre lot with private fishing is just three miles to downtown Gunnison.

Gunnison Commercial Space â&#x20AC;˘ $209,500 This Gunnison property is 11,500 sq. ft. with 3 buildings and 2 sheds. Building 1 is a residential home/ commercial 1,375 sq. ft. building. Building 2 is a 300 sq. ft. retail space. Building 3 is a detached 322 sq. ft. garage.

A friend of ours referred us to Buck at Premier Mountain Properties, and now we see why!

In particular, we appreciated Buckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate expertise, knowledge of the market, and diligence in helping us find the perfect investment properties to suit our needs. We will definitely continue this partnership for years to come and refer him without hesitation.

Derek and Rebecca Steele - Houston, TX

Promoting and supporting a Positive Community and Lifestyle t &ML "WFOVF Downtown Crested Butte, Colorado info@premier-mountain-properties.com 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 79

d l ui

Buy REMODEL

B Gunnison Loan Staff

Refinance

Crested Butte Loan Staff

With over 190 years of combined experience in real estate financing in the Gunnison Country, our Gunnison and Crested Butte loan departments are ready to help you. Call 970-641-2177, today!

Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 Temporarily increased from $100,000 to $250,000 through 12/31/2013

Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation â&#x20AC;˘ www.fdic.gov

Bank online at www.gunnisonsl.com 303 N. Main Street, Gunnison

641-2177

e-mail: gslloan@gunnisonsl.com cbsl@gunnisonsl.com

501 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

349-7207

7 (WY 'UNNISON #/ s s EMAIL INFO GUNNISONLAKESIDE COM s WEBSITE GUNNISONLAKESIDE COM

s &ULL 26 (OOKUPS s #ABINS s 0ROPANE s 'IFTS s 'ROCERIES s 3HOWERS s ,AUNDRY s 26 "OAT 3TORAGE s "OAT ,AUNCH .EARBY s 'RASSY 3HADED SITES -ILES 7EST OF 'UNNISON ACROSS (WY FROM "EAUTIFUL "LUE -ESA 2ESERVOIR

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stay & Play at the Lakeâ&#x20AC;?

80 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

One wrong turn ...

and then a lot of good decisions

Clear thinking prevents lost-skier ordeal from turning tragic. A first-hand account

Kent Strickland was exhausted, dehydrated and had mild cases of frostbite, but otherwise was in fine shape as he ‘de-briefed’ with rescue personnel (middle picture) after spending two nights lost on ‘the wrong side’ of Monarch Mountain without food, water or shelter. On left, he shows where he took the wrong turn. On right, he’s seen celebrating with Monarch personnel in Salida.

Courtesy photos and (middle) photo by the Salida Mountain Mail

by Kent Strickland

“

I

f the snow doesn’t come to you, you go to the snow.

This was my rationale as I set out on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, from my home in Taos, N.M., to Salida, a short three-hour drive into a totally different weather pattern. The local ski area, Monarch Mountain, had been blessed with abundant precipitation and the forecast was for more.

I had never skied Monarch, known as a smaller, family-oriented area 20 miles west of Salida on U.S. Hwy. 50, at the top of Monarch Pass. They had opened 700 acres of steep, expert terrain, previously accessible only by guided snowcat tour. The challenge was similar to what I’d become accustomed to at Taos, and I was eager to try my new skis in deep, natural snow.

After spending the night in a nearby lodge, I checked out early Wednesday morning, Jan. 4, and was on the chairlift at the 9 a.m. opening. My plan was to ski as much of the lift-served area as possible in a couple of hours, take the 20-minute hike into the new area for a final run, then drive home in time to catch the Texas/USC NCAA Championship football game. Although my wife, Elise, and I had agreed I might stay another day if the snow was particularly good, such was not my intent as the day unfolded. The weather was a bit

In fact, I was headed 90 degrees astray, out of bounds, down the wrong side of the Continental Divide and into an area called No Name Creek. You know it’s not a good place if it’s got no name.

” blustery, the snow was good, not great, and I really wanted to see the game with her anyway.

About 11 a.m., after receiving a briefing and a map from the Ski Patrol on the new terrain, called Mirkwood Basin, I started the uphill hike from the top of the 11,800 ft. high lift, eager for a challenging finale to the morning.

After 10 minutes or so, a break in the boundary rope and a trail sign told me I’d arrived at a good drop-in point.

“Funny,” I thought, “that was pretty easy for a supposed 20 minute hike.” I waited for someone else to come along, either as a “buddy” or just to ensure I was in the right spot. No one came along, and after about 20 minutes, with the wind whipping up more snow and things getting colder, off I went.

After all, I’d been well briefed and had a map, right?

Wrong! I had absolutely no idea that I’d gone only one-third of the way to the drop-in point. Or that the trail sign was only to point skiers further in the same direction. Or that next to the break in the rope were additional small signs warning of the ski area boundary.

For whatever reason, I hadn’t seen them and had mistakenly interpreted the break in the rope as an opening into Mirkwood Basin.

In fact, I was headed 90 degrees astray, out of bounds, down the wrong side of the Continental Divide and into an area called “No Name Creek.” You know it’s not a good place if it’s got no name.

My first 10 turns were all I’d hoped for.

Good snow, wide open terrain and ... no tracks.

Approaching the tree line, I felt “dialed in” and Continued on page 82

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 81

The Inn at Arrowhead Your Colorado Weekend Getaway The quintessential mountain lodge you’ve been dreaming of. Tucked away high on the north slope of the majestic San Juan Mountains — surrounded by high Alpine meadows and thick groves of Engelmann Spruce, Sub-Alpine Fir, and famous Colorado Aspen.

Twelve Guest Rooms Full-service restaurant and bar Open Thursday thru Sunday

- Clean, comfortable rooms - Fireplaces in each room - Wireless internet (WiFi) - Guest-only Hot Tub on outside balcony deck - Overnight guests are welcomed Wednesday nights thru Saturday nights

The Inn at Arrowhead 21401 Alpine Plateau Road, Cimarron CO 81220 (970) 862-8206 | relax@innatarrowhead.com | www.innatarrowhead.com.

VOTED GUNNISON’S BEST REALTOR IN 2008 & 2009!

People’s Choice Awards 2008 & 2009 Winner

Best Realtor

VIEW OUR ONLINE LISTINGS ANYTIME! WWW.CLARKEAGENCY.NET

Celebrati ng 30 Years in Real Esta te

241 N. Main, Gunnison

970-641-0511 CATHIE ELLIOTT

Broker/Owner/G.R.I.

Or Call Toll-Free:

1-877-641-0511 cathie@clarkeagency.net

VISIT OTHER REALTOR LISTINGS AT: www.clarkeagency.net 82 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

ready for some tree skiing, one of my favorite pastimes.

I soon screeched to a halt. I must be off to the side of the run, I thought. This was unnavigable. The dense trees and underbrush were too thick for anyone, not just me. All I could do was traverse back and forth, heading slightly downhill. I was thankful, not for the last time, that I had my helmet, which helped block the low branches and twigs that otherwise would have pulverized my face.

But I wasn’t getting anywhere. No thinnedout trees, no clearings, no signs of a ski area anywhere. Just the same dense forest. The feeling that this was more than a missed trail began to set in. I had violated a cardinal rule by skiing alone into unfamiliar territory. It was totally my fault, and the thought that I might be in over my head gave me the first and only panicky feeling I was to have.

“I do not want this to turn into a search and rescue operation,” I told myself over and over.

I stopped to rest, took several deep breaths and thought about the situation. I had no backcountry skiing or camping experience, no compass, GPS, or sun to re-orient myself.

It seemed important to somehow get out of the woods. And the quickest way would be to find a creek or drainage gully and follow it downhill. Eventually, it would run into something — probably back to the Monarch parking lot, I thought. I had no idea I was on the other side of the mountain.

I found the desired gully and its small, trickling creek. It turned into a mixed blessing. Very soon, the underbrush was so thick, the only way ahead was to take off my skis and walk in the creek. The water was only an inch or two deep and I thought I could keep my feet dry.

Bad idea. Soon the water started seeping into my boots.

Lesson No. 1: When you’re lost and have no idea what you’re doing, it’s best to stay 25 to 50 yards above the creek and work forward parallel to it. The vegetation is less dense, you can avoid fallen trees and you won’t get your feet wet.

With the first on-the-job training session complete, I moved ahead with greater confidence. Although breaking trail was still difficult and the snow conditions varied all the way from bottomless powder to breakable crust, at least I felt I was getting somewhere.

I recalled how my prep school soccer coach, Julius Corrubia, would shout, “No bitching”, as he’d send the team running laps when practice wasn’t going well. This was tough sledding and not going particularly well, but it was do-able and I wasn’t going to complain.

“Good thing I’m alone,” I thought. No wasted energy debating which way was best through the trees, the crud and the creek. No apologies needed for bad decisions. “Just me and my wet feet. ... Keep moving and no bitching.”

Finally, I entered a small circular clearing — perhaps 100 feet in diameter — where the land flattened out and the trees mercifully yielded to what likely was a frozen wetland. I checked my watch: 2:30 p.m. I had been breaking trail for over three hours. I was pretty tired, and the clearing acted as a logical break in the intensive and somewhat panic-driven march to get out of the dense forest. I paused and contemplated the next move.

Taking a detailed look around the clearing, I spotted what appeared to be a small road on the far side. “How about that!” I exclaimed.

“Now we’re really getting somewhere!” I felt my

“

I really need to prepare for two nights and days. Elise would have no reason to be alarmed after the first night, since we’d agreed I might stay over if the snow was good .

Gunnison’s hometown bank for 100 years.

970-641-0320

970-349-0170

&5,, 3%26)#% -/24'!'% $%0!24-%.4 s

THE GUNNISON BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

We are your local rental investment property experts Our real estate professionals have the skills and expertise to fill all of your real estate needs.

Whether it be buying or selling homes, managing your income producing investment or finding that perfect rental, the GR&R Team is here for you.

” mood change from desperate to almost cocky in a matter of minutes. I felt back in control of the situation, seeing a clear path to safety.

The remaining scenario seemed clear: I would take the road through the trees, inconspicuously ski into the Monarch parking lot at whatever hour of the day or night, calmly unlock my car, stow my equipment, change into the clothes I’d left in the back seat, drive off down the mountain and no one — outside of Elise — would ever know what almost happened.

First things first, however. The road was untracked, with about two-to-three feet of snowpack. But at least it ran parallel to the creek and slightly downhill. Gravity made the going a lot easier. This continued for another hour, when a set of snowmobile tracks ap-

Kelly McKinnis

Joe O’Connell

970-641-4880 Fax: 970-641-2521 129 E. Tomichi Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230

www.gunnisonrealestateandrentals.com Continued on page 84 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 83

peared in the middle of the road. I could tell they were relatively fresh, maybe a day or so old, and covered with an inch or two of new snow. In any case, they gave support to my skis and made progress almost like walking on a groomed slope.

The snowmobiler must have come down the road, decided heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d gone far enough, turned around and retraced his same track. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surely, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll walk out of this shortly,â&#x20AC;? I thought.

Well, maybe not. The road soon began to head away from the creek and therefore slightly uphill. No question I was going to follow the road, rather than the creek, but the uphill part soon became exhausting. The snowmobile tracks were only about a foot wide. If either a pole or a ski wandered outside that track, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;post-holeâ&#x20AC;? effect took over and all support suddenly collapsed. Down I went. The net result: very slow progress and extraordinary effort expended.

It was now 4:15 p.m., the temperature dropping and daylight ebbing away. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been working vigorously for almost five hours. I needed to make a decision to either press on or stop.

Stopping, of course, meant abandoning the objective foremost in my mind: Do not let this turn into a search and rescue, with the accompanying danger to others and the personal

Kent Strickland and his wife of 35 years, Elise.

Photo by Lisa Kloberdanz

embarrassment. On the other hand, I realized the need to conserve energy for the night and whatever might occur the next day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a matter of fact,â&#x20AC;? I immediately thought, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really need to prepare for two nights and days.â&#x20AC;? Elise would have no reason to be alarmed after the first night, since weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d agreed I might stay over if the snow was good.

Despite the lingering thoughts that safety might be â&#x20AC;&#x153;just around the next bend in the road,â&#x20AC;? I chose to stop. Furthermore, I decided I would stay put and wait for a rescue rather than continuing the hike tomorrow. The plan was set, but how in the world would I execute it?

The first thing that came to mind was a

snow cave. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never seen or used one, but it sounded like a good idea. So I spent the next half hour tunneling under the snowpack with my ski boots and hands until I reached bare ground. I wound up with a hollowed-out, six-foot long by two-foot wide by one-foot high chamber. In the process, I generated a lot of heat. It felt really good, but I burned a lot of energy in the process and was approaching the point of exhaustion. So after congratulating myself that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;caveâ&#x20AC;? had not collapsed, it was time for a rest.

I carefully slid face-up into the opening, laid down on my back, and ... zap: Instant chill.

All the built-up heat went into the ground in a New York minute and I started to shiver.

Lesson No. 2: Snow caves, unless you know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing, are over-rated.

Now, the reality was setting in. I had no shelter, was almost exhausted, daylight was almost gone, and there was no prospect of anything improving.

I think in these circumstances, the brain somehow automatically focuses on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important, disregarding ancillary information and feelings. It was tunnel vision on a totalbody scale, and I felt my whole self concentrating on one thing: keeping warm. Not really warm, just warm enough. All the niceties â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

/FXMZ 3FNPEFMFE 3PPNT 4PNF 3PPNT XJUI ,JUDIFOFUUFT "MM 3PPNT )BWF 2VFFO 4J[F #FET Â&#x201E; 'SJEHF Â&#x201E; .JDSPXBWF Â&#x201E; $PGGFFNBLFS Â&#x201E; )BJSESZFS Â&#x201E; $BCMF 57 'SFF 8JSFMFTT ) 4 *OUFSOFU Â&#x201E; -PDBM $BMMT '3&& 'BY $PQJFS "WBJMBCMF

1FUT "MMPXFE

$FOUSBMMZ -PDBUFE PO )XZ 8BMLJOH %JTUBODF UP 8FTUFSO 4UBUF $PMMFHF

#FUXFFO #MBDL $BOZPO /BUJPOBM 1BSL #MVF .FTB 3FTFSWPJS $SFTUFE #VUUF 8BVOJUB )PU 4QSJOHT .POBSDI

XXX XFTUFSONPUFM DP DPN %AST 4OMICHI !VENUE 'UNNISON #OLORADO s s FAX

84 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

'SFF %FMVYF $POUJOFOUBM #SFBLGBTU JO 4FBTPO 6OJRVF (B[FCP )PU 5VC

"MM .BKPS $SFEJU $BSET "DDFQUFE $-04& 50 'JTIJOH #PBUJOH 3BGUJOH ,BZBLJOH )JLJOH +FFQJOH #JLJOH #BDLQBDLJOH 8JOETVSGJOH )PSTFCBDL 3JEJOH 3PDL $MJNCJOH (PMGJOH 5FOOJT #JH (BNF )VOUJOH .VMF %FFS &ML 5XP 4LJ "SFBT $SPTT $PVOUSZ 4LJJOH 4OPXNPCJMJOH "57 3JEJOH "SFBT *DF 4LBUJOH 4MFJHI 3JEJOH 4OPXTIPFJOH 4LJ 1BDLBHFT "WBJMBCMF GPS .PVOU $SFTUFE #VUUF BOE .POBSDI %JTDPVOU -JGU 5JDLFUT VQ UP 0''

like having dinner, getting out of these wet ski boots â&#x20AC;&#x201D; went into the background for the next two nights.

Having skied for 54 years, I knew what was needed to stay warm. If your fingertips are cold, bend over at the waist, parallel to the ground, and vigorously swing your arms back and forth, forcing the blood into your hands. If you are cold all over, get moving and generate your own heat with activity.

So, before it was completely dark, I put on my skis and packed a 15-to-20 yard racetrack pattern into this Forest Service road. Then, without skis, I boot-packed the same area. All this to ensure I could walk rapidly around in the dark without post-holing or falling. Then, from the tailings of the abandoned snow cave, I formed two mounds about three feet apart, and put my skis upside down on top of them to make a bench. Finally, two crude snow-packed steps to take me from bare ground up to the racetrack, with ski poles on either side to act as hand rails.

My â&#x20AC;&#x153;campsiteâ&#x20AC;? was complete, and I felt a sense of ownership, of having eliminated some of the unknowns, maybe even a feeling of some comfort in what I had created.

I sat down on my bench for the first deep-breath relaxation in six hours. Mentally

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Not as strong as I thought, I mumbled to myself.

No matter, because today is rescue day!

â&#x20AC;? assessing the situation, the bad news: This mess was all my fault. Even worse, I had no idea where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d gone astray. And I had to forget about getting out unassisted. The good news: I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sick, wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t injured, there was no blowing snow, and I had a plan to keep warm until help arrived. I loosened my ski boots a notch, lowered my goggles into place to keep every possible skin exposure to a minimum, and sort of â&#x20AC;&#x153;settled in.â&#x20AC;? This was going to work out OK. It was now dark and it was cold, and the shivers told me it was time to take a few laps.

So up the steps and around the track 12 times I went before enough heat quieted the shivering.

Then I sat down for awhile, and when the shivers came back, up I went again.

This was to be the pattern for that night, the next day, the second night and half of the

following day.

Many people have asked me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What did you do while you were lost?â&#x20AC;? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d tell them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing. I sat until I shivered, then I did laps until I got warmer.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very boring, but true. The cycle repeated itself, over and over. I never got hungry and never slept.

I also did my best to keep reasonably hydrated. This meant eating snow, and I made it standard procedure to scoop a small amount on each lap of the track. Once, I tried stuffing snow into my small Platypus plastic flask and put it against my torso on an inside pocket.

Stuffing snow into the narrow top of the flask took about 15 minutes, but I thought it would be worthwhile. Five hours later, the last of Continued on page 87

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a better reason to Save.

COMMUNITY BANKS OF COLORADO Ask us and find out how much more you could be earning on your Savings.

'UNNISON s . -AIN s #RESTED "UTTE s 3IXTH 3TREET s -T #RESTED "UTTE s #RESTED "UTTE 7AY s Visit us at any one of our 36 Colorado bank locations ŠCommunity Bankshares, Inc. 2010

WWW #/".+3 COM

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 85

GET UP TO

WHERE THEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ADVENTURE AT EVERY TURN *Bring this ad to the Adventure Center, and get one FREE child (17 and under) summer lift ticket with the purchase of one adult summer lift ticket. Offer good through Labor Day, 2010.

#2%34%$ "544% -/5.4!). 2%3/24

ridecb.com

Take a chair lift ride and hike to spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valley. Demo a Specialized mountain bike to explore our huge network of biking trails.

Try the disc golf course or spend an afternoon on the bungee trampoline, playing mini golf, and climbing at the Adventure Park. To book activities call (970)349-2262 or (800)847-6877. @ejg`i\ pfli gXjj`fe%TM

Photo of mountain bike feature by Raynor Czerwinski. All other photos by Tom Stillo.

THE MOUNTAIN

I was looking forward to another cold night. I felt capable of coming through it OK, just not excited. My legs were getting tired of tromping up the two stairs and my throat was getting raspy from eating snow.

Night No. 2 was much like night No. 1, without the mountain lion.

At some point during the night, I started imagining the shadowy presence of two friends stranded with me, each with a different reason for being cold. For “Tom,” the hands were first to go. For “Dave,” it was the entire body. I would say to myself, “Well, I’ve got to get up, because Tom needs help.” Similarly, I would walk the track if “Dave” was most in need. This wasn’t a mind game I devised to keep me active. It just happened.

One of my real-life friends later suggested that Tom and Dave were guardian angels, prompting me to do what was necessary for my own survival. Perhaps. I’m in no position to dispute it.

As the sun rose on Day 3, so did the temperatures. By mid-morning, I was able to remove my goggles and helmet. The sun slivers felt good, however brief, and I played tag with them as they danced between the trees.

be the highlight of my day, and this was about all I could hope for.

Once again, bad assumption. At this location, with the steep slope, the sun never rose above tree line and squinted only in short-lived slivers through the trees, yielding little warmth.

The temperatures remained close to the single digits of the night, and my daytime routine would have to follow the same nighttime pattern.

“

I never got hungry and never slept.

” By mid-afternoon, it was evident I would spend a second night encamped. If Elise had become alarmed, she would have blown the whistle early in the morning, and search and rescue would likely have found me by now.

This was what I had assumed from the beginning, so it was no surprise. However, I can’t say

Continued on page 88

COUPON

$3.99 WITH COUPON Limit 2 per customer per coupon

ocal The L OP” O SH on T O “G rmati o f n i for

COUPON

Photo of mountain bike feature by Raynor Czerwinski. All other photos by Tom Stillo.

the snow finally melted, leaving less than two ounces to drink!

Lesson No. 3: Well, you get the idea. ...

That first night, I swore I saw a mountain lion’s outline in the trees, just waiting for me to get back to my bench. I stopped walking, waved my arms, tried to look big like they tell you, and made nasty growling noises. He or she didn’t move. Then I lifted my amber goggles and guess what? No more mountain lion!

A mirage? Yes, for sure, but also an adrenalin rush which warmed things up a bit.

The overriding impression this night was the almost constant commercial air traffic overhead. I would see the lights first, then the sounds, and wonder where they were from and where they were going. I thought of my prep school classmate, Hank Hoffman, former Air Force colonel and now retired American Airlines captain. “You’re nice and cozy up there, Hank, and I’m freezing my butt off down here.

Laugh all you want, but I will be around to tell you about it at our 50th class reunion.”

The night was shorter than I expected. That was good. As the southeastern sky brightened, I began to orient myself. I could only deduce I was in no man’s land. My job was to keep warm, and my exact location was academic.

Soaking in the sun’s warmth as it rose looked to

ROYAL CREST “CAMPER” 16-FUNCTION KNIFE Features can opener, cork screw, reamer, manicure blade, sturdy reamer, Phillips screwdriver, hook, disgorge fish scaler, wood/rope saw, scissors, cutting blade, cap lifter, slot screwdriver, key ring, toothpick and tweezers. Blades are 420 surgical stainless steel and the red handle is durable Leymar. Lifetime warranty knife only, sheath not included. Measures 6” open, 3 1/2” closed. Gift boxed.

$19.99 VALUE Save $16.00 COUPON

58

19 ce n si t es W od a or ol C g Stockin

sporting goods È{£ £n{xÊUÊÓä£Ê7°Ê/ V Ê Ûi° ÜÜÜ°}i iÌ>Þ ÀðV

New Outlet Store

Fishing Guide Service Blue Mesa Boat Trips Gunnison River Float Trips Walk & Wade Guides Fishing • Camping Hunting • Athletics Clothing • Footwear

Great Bargains & Close Out Prices On Winter & Summer Items Save up to 80% 2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 87

I was comfortable enough to get curious.

Maybe I had enough strength to take a look around. I gently pulled my skis and poles from their positions, put them on and very slowly started to herringbone up the hill. Everything felt different. The snowmobile tracks felt as narrow as a tightrope, and the steps Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d executed for hours on Wednesday seemed foreign. Even using my arms to pull forward, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the strength to get halfway up the hill. Turning around was also a chore, and I was relieved just to coast back to camp. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not as strong as I thought,â&#x20AC;? I mumbled to myself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter,â&#x20AC;? I reasoned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because today is rescue day!â&#x20AC;?

I had suppressed this thought since sunrise, but now it came to the foreground. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After two nights, Elise will have surely blown the whistle, notified whoever, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re probably on the way now.â&#x20AC;?

But I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help thinking, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, what if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come? Am I OK for a third night?â&#x20AC;? I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the prospect, and my brain overflowed with scenarios, all of which said today had to be the day.

It was 1 p.m. when I next looked at my watch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re coming today, they should be here by now,â&#x20AC;? I said to myself, acknowledg-

ing that small piece of pessimism lingering in my background thoughts. I remember this disturbing thought churning around for several minutes.

And then it happened: Just like a Hollywood screenplay, I heard the faint sound of a snowmobile to the west, getting louder each second. I knew it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to fade away because Forest Service roads arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that numerous. If I could hear it, he or she had to be on my road.

Sure enough, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;round the bend and down the hill came a snowmobile and rider with a search and rescue bib on his chest. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure what prompted me, but I snapped to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Attentionâ&#x20AC;? and gave my best military salute as the snowmobile came to a stop. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the guy youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for,â&#x20AC;? I said when the engine stopped.

The rider said nothing, pulled up his helmet, and took off what seemed like 15 layers of masks, pullovers and whatnots before his face and mouth were finally visible. He reached into a pocket, pulled out a piece of paper and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paul Kent Strickland?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very glad to see you!â&#x20AC;? I replied.

(Kent Strickland grew up in Michigan and

has been an avid downhill skier since age 10.

Following military service, he spent 29 years as a financial planner for IBM in San Francisco, Atlanta and Boulder, retiring in 1996. He and his wife of 35 years, Elise Backinger, now live in Salida with their two dogs, where they hike, bike and never miss a powder day at Monarch.) â&#x2013; Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Vern Kelso, a local native and longtime veteran of the search and rescue team, was the man who rescued me. And this account was written prior to his tragic death in an avalanche on March 12, 2010. Whatever lessons or benefits that may result from this story are hereby dedicated to Vern, and the example he set for us all.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Mr. Strickland has also compiled a very interesting account of what took place â&#x20AC;&#x153;behind the scenesâ&#x20AC;? to make this life-saving rescue come to fruition. Everything came together like clockwork, and he is rightfully very grateful and very complimentary toward the folks involved. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to read that full account, please e-mail me at editor@gunnisontimes. com and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll gladly send you his un-edited version of those events.

0$5.(7,1* 7+( ),1(67 5$1&+ $1' 5(&5($7,21$/ 3523(57,(6 :H 'RQ¡W &KDUJH 0RUH <RX -XVW *HW 0RUH %DVHG LQ 'HQYHU ZH¡UH SDUW RI WKH ODUJHVW LQGH SHQGHQW IXOO VHUYLFH UHDO HVWDWH FRPSDQ\ LQ &ROR UDGR :H DUH WKH SUHPLHU PDUNHWLQJ FRPSDQ\ IRU :HVWHUQ UDQFK DQG UHFUHDWLRQDO SURSHUWLHV :LWK D VL[ ILJXUH DGYHUWLVLQJ EXGJHW \RXU SURSHUW\ ZLOO UHFHLYH WKH EURDGHVW FRYHUDJH 2IIHULQJ DQ LQ KRXVH DWWRUQH\ ZH PDNH \RXU EX\LQJ RU VHOOLQJ H[SHULHQFH D VPRRWK DQG SDLQOHVV SURFHVV

2OG &RZ 7RZQ 5DQFK

%LJ +RUQ *XHVW 5DQFK

6XPPHU &DELQV

$LQVZRUWK 5DQFK

&DOO XV DW

*DU\ 3HDUVRQ 5HJ 6DOHV 0DQDJHU 1DQF\ 'XHWVFK %URNHU $VVRFLDWH 5HJLRQDO ZHEVLWH ZZZ SLWNLQ IXOOHUZHVWHUQ FRP

6WDWH 6W _ 3 2 %R[ _ 3LWNLQ &2 _

Z Z Z I X O O H U Z H V W H U Q F R P

88 |

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

Advertiser’s Index outdoors, events, and festivals

Red Mountain Logworks

45

Art in the Park - AAUW

27

Rock N Roll Sports

32

Cattlemen’s Days Association

22

Rocky Mountain Gear

39

Church Directory

20

Rose Petal

39

Crested Butte Arts Alliance

29

Six Points

23

Crested Butte Arts Festival

12

Spin a Christmas Tale

38

Crested Butte Center for the Arts

19

Tee’z Me Screenprinting

44

The Bookworm

73

The Wine House

38

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

8, 26, 34, 60, 86

Crested Butte Music Festival

28

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

25

Dos Rios Golf Club

27

Fantasy Ranch

60

Gunnison Arts Center

21

Gunnison River Festival

23

Gunnison Rotary

9

Gunnison Trails

31

Gunnison Valley Farmers Market

25

Pioneer Museum Raven Rider Stables Tenderfoot Outfitters Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting Tough Enough To Wear Pink

6 26 26 & 51 3 15

shopping and retail

Trader’s Rendezvous

5

Treads N’ Threads

7

Western Lumber

38

Western World

7

services, health, and medical B & B Printers

48

Bryce Builders LLC

51

Colorado Fitness/Sanctuary Yoga

45

Family Dentistry

45

Greatland Log Homes

47

Greatland Engineering

60

Gunnison CB Tourism Association

46

Gunnison Community School

46

Gunnison Country Collision

53

Gunnison Family Medical Center

59

Gunnison Shipping

60 58

Alley Hats

37

Back at the Ranch

38

Boom-a-rang

37

Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevention Project

Circus Train

43

Gunnison Valley Family Physicians

47

Gunnison Valley Hospital

52

Harding Company Architect & Builders

57

Insurance Center

Gene Taylor’s

5, 34, 87

Western State College Director of Public Relations

16 & 17

restaurants and lodging A-B-C Motel

72

The Bean

71

Brick Cellar

73

Crested Butte Brewing Company

78

django’s

92

Double Dragon

72

Garlic Mike’s

71

Gunnisack

64

Gunnison Brewery

72

Gunnison Lakeside Resort

80

Holiday Inn Express

71

Inn at Arrowhead

82

Island Acres Motel

70

K.O.A.

33

Marios

66

Matterhorn Mountain Motel & Cabin

57

Mochas

67

Nordic Inn

74

Ol’ Miner Steakhouse, Inc.

66 & 67

Palisades Restaurant & Saloon

74

Pitas in Paradise

70

Rockey River Resort

75

Sugah’s Cafe

75

Western Motel

84

realtors and lenders Clarke Agency

82

Community Banks of Colorado

85

53

Fuller Western Real Estate

88

Interiors with Oohs and Ahhs

41

Gunnison Bank & Trust

83

44

J Reeser Architect, LLC

59

83

High Mountain Liquor

73

John Roberts Motorworks

48

Gunnison Real Estate & Rentals LLC

Hope & Glory

44

Mt. Emmons Molly CO.

61

Gunnison Savings and Loan

80

Ice Mountain Jewelry

47

Mindy Costanzo Real Estate

2

59

Miller Furniture

37

Richard Almgren Insurance Agency Inc Squeeky Clean Auto Wash

57

GL Computer Services, Inc.

45

Gunnison Fly Shop

43

Gunnison Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

50

Gunnison Vitamin & Health Food

Napa Auto Parts

50

Pfisters Handworks

51

Peak Properties Management & Sales

75

Premier Mountain Properties

79

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 89

Calendar of Events weekly summer events Sundays @ Seven (Free Summer Concerts) Presented by the Gunnison Arts Center, Legion Park, Gunnison, May 30 through August 29 Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & First Street, Crested Butte, Sundays June 13 through September 26 Alpenglow (Free Summer Concerts) Presented

by CB Center for the Arts, Town Park & CB South, Mondays June 28 through August 16 Friday @ Five at the Gunnison Art Center, Live Music on the Patio, Gunnison, May 28 through August 27 First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison, Year Round

5

11

12 12

18 – 20

19

19

Gunnison Farmer’s Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street, Gunnison, Saturdays, June 26 through October 9 (see ad page 25)

19 – 20

ArtWalk Evening, Galleries in Crested Butte, Last Thursday of the Month June 24 through September 30

19 – 20

Live! From Mt. Crested Butte (Free Summer Concerts), Red Lady Stage at Ski Area Base, Wednesdays July 7 through August 25 Wednesdays at Western State College, Different Activities/Topics Each Week, June 23 through August 25 Gunnison Valley Observatory Public Viewing Nights, Gunnison, most Fridays and Saturdays, May 14 through September 24

20 – Sept. 15

23 – 27 24

24 – 27

may 28 – 30

29

30

24 Hours of Gunnison Glory Climb-A-Thon, Hartman Rocks Multi-use Recreation Area, Gunnison 3rd Annual Sage Burner 50k/25k Run, Hartman Rocks Multi-use Recreation Area, Gunnison Original Growler Mountain Bike Race, Hartman Rocks Multi-use Recreation Area, Gunnison

june

25

26

26 – 27 1 – 30 5

90 |

24 – 27, 30

June in the Rockies, Valleywide National Trails Day – Trail Work Day with Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, Crested Butte Area

2 01 0 G U N N I S O N CO U N T RY M AGA Z I N E

26 – 27

Fishing Derby for Kids, Jorgensen Park, Gunnison Gunnison Golf Classic Presented by Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, Dos Rios Golf Club, Gunnison Taylor Park Marina Fishing Derby, Taylor Park Reservoir Summer Variety Show, Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre Crested Butte Writers Conference, Elevation Hotel & Spa, Mt. Crested Butte Tough Enough to Wear Pink Golf Tournament, Dos Rios Golf Club, Gunnison Readers in the Rockies, Elevation Hotel & Spa, Mt. Crested Butte Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center Directors’ Workshop Weekend, Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre Tour de Forks (gourmet dining series), Presented by Crested Butte Center for the Arts, Various Locations Crested Butte Fat Tire Bike Week, Various Locations 101st Army Band Concert, Western State College’s Quigley Band Shell, Gunnison Gunnison River Festival, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Downtown Gunnison & Other Locations “Bye Bye Birdie,” Presented

by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Crested Butte Center for the Arts 36th Annual Western State College-Colorado Brass Band Concert, WSC Quigley Band Shell, Gunnison 11th Annual Breeding Bird Survey (Volunteer Opportunity), Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic Wildflower Rush Cross Country & Downhill Bike Races, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Mt. Crested Butte Bridges of the Butte (24-hour townie bike tour), Presented by the Adaptive Sports Center, Crested Butte

26 – 27

Bayou in the Butte (New Orleans-Style Music & Jazz), Town Park, Crested Butte

july 1–3

2

3 3

3–4

3 – Aug. 5 4

6–8

7, 14, 21, 28 9 – 10

9 – 18

11

12 – 18

15 – 16

15, 22, 29

17 – 18

22 – 25

22 – 25

“Bye Bye Birdie,” Presented

by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Crested Butte Center for the Arts Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum’s Black & White Ball, Crested Butte Gunnison Loco-Motive MultiSport Race, Gunnison Day of the Arts, Presented by Crested Butte Arts Alliance, Crested Butte Center for the Arts Jack Russell Terrier Trials, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center, Gunnison Crested Butte Music Festival, Various Locations Independence Day Activities in Gunnison, Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte Crested Butte Music Festival’s Bluegrass Kids Camp with Bearfoot, Crested Butte Mountain Resort Public Policy Forum of Crested Butte Crested Butte Music Festival’s Bluegrass Weekend, Crested Butte Mountain Resort Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center & Other Locations AWE Fest - Artists of the West Elks Summer Festival, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Various Locations, Based at Crested Butte Nordic Center Crested Butte Land Trust Caddis Cup Fly-Fishing Tournament PowerAde Pinnacle Summer Race Series (Mountain Biking), Mt. Crested Butte Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters National Show, Oh-BeJoyful Gallery, Crested Butte Crested Butte Land Trust Wine & Food Festival, Various Locations Writing the Rockies: The Gunnison Creative Writers Workshop, Western State College

22 – 25, 29 – 31

24 – 25

25 31 – Aug. 1

“Charlie Cox Runs With Scissors,” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center Gunnison Art in the Park, Legion Park Crested Butte Arts Festival, Elk Avenue

28

28 – 29

1 – 30 2–5

1–2

1–5 4

4, 11, 18, 25 5, 12

6–8 7

15

19 – 21

20 – 22

21

21 – 22

23 26 – 29

Crested Butte Arts Festival, Elk Avenue Crested Butte Open Golf Tournament & Gala Dinner, Presented by the Adaptive Sports Center Crested Butte Music Festival, Various Locations Historic Preservation Dinner, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic Public Policy Forum of Crested Butte PowerAde Pinnacle Summer Race Series (Mountain Biking), Mt. Crested Butte Dos Rios Open, Dos Rios Gold Club, Gunnison 10th Annual Living Journeys Summit Hike (benefits people living with cancer), Mt. Crested Butte Artists of the West Elks Summer Festival, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte Carvin Up Colorado (Chainsaw Carving), Legion Park, Gunnison Gunnison Car Show, Jorgenson Park, Downtown & Breakfast Cruise to Crested Butte High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, Legion Park, Gunnison 24 Hours in the Sage (Bike Race), Hartman Rocks MultiUse Recreational Area, Gunnison Chefs on the Edge, Crested Butte Center for the Arts “The Robber Bridegroom,” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre 27 – 29 Aerial Weekend (Hang-Gliding & Paragliding)

october 1–3

4–5

4, 11, 18, 25

5, 12, 19, 26

11

11 – 12

12 – 13

18

18 – 19 19

20 – 25 23 – 26, 30

25

26

September Splendor in the Rockies, Valleywide “The Robber Bridegroom,” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre The People’s Fair (Arts, Crafts & More), Elk Avenue, Crested Butte Gunnison Farmers’ Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & First Street Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, Ski Base, Mt. Crested Butte 34th Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte Wooden Nickel Fall Golf Classic, Club at Crested Butte Cow Pasture Golf Tournament, Presented

by Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy Gunnison Western Heritage Festival, Gunnison Crested Butte to Gunnison MountainAir Marathon & Half Marathon Vinotok Fall Harvest Festival, Crested Butte “Moon Over Buffalo,” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre Taste of Caring Dinner Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle, CB Crested Butte Fall Colors Classic (1/2 marathon), Presented by Gunnison Valley Health Foundation

“Moon Over Buffalo,” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre

november 4–7

september

august 1

Organized by Crested Butte Soaring Society, Crested Butte 5th Annual Butte Bouldering Bonanza, Skyland Boulders, Crested Butte Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center

14

20

20 24 26 – 28

Teens on Stage, Presented

by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre Holiday Fashion Show, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center, Gunnison Sugar Plum Festival, Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center, Gunnison Crested Butte Nordic Center Opens for the Season Crested Butte Mountain Resort Opens for the Season Crested Butte Nordic Center’s Thanksgiving Training Camp

december 2 3 4 4

4

11 12

18 21

21 31

31

Learn to Skate Ski for Free, Crested Butte Nordic Center Night of Lights, Main Street, Gunnison Citizens’ 10K Classic Race, Crested Butte Nordic Center Holiday Open Houses, Downtown Businesses, Gunnison Light Up Night & Holiday Parade, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte Citizens’ 10K Skate Race, Crested Butte Nordic Center Christmas Variety Show, Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre Citizens’ 15K Skiathalon Race, Crested Butte Nordic Center Full Moon Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Tour to the Yurt, CB Nordic Center Moonlight Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Mountain Resort Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s New Year’s Eve Celebration, Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Frozen Buns Resolution Run (5K), Presented by Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, Crested Butte

2 0 1 0 G U I D E T O C O LO R A D O ’ S H I G H C O U N T R Y P L A Y G R O U N D

| 91