Getting Oriented

Southwest Colorado is the land beyond the interstates. Old mining roads, legacies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when gold and silver mining was ascendant, lead through drop-dead-gorgeous mountain valleys and rugged high country. Much of this part of the state is designated as a wilderness area, which means that no roads may be built and no wheeled or motorized vehicles are permitted. A federal road known as U.S. 550 or the Million Dollar Highway corkscrews over Red Mountain Pass, around cliff-hugging turns and without the benefit of guardrails. While backcountry roads demand four-wheel-drive vehicles in summer and snowmobiles in winter, regular roads are no problem for passenger cars.

Crested Butte and Gunnison. Explore this mountain paradise on singletrack in summer and Nordic track in winter. The Taylor and Gunnison rivers round out the adventure possibilities, with white-water rafting, kayaking, and great fly-fishing.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The town of Montrose makes a great base for exploring the majestic canyon, which plunges 2,000 feet down sheer vertical cliffs to the roaring Gunnison River.

Lake City and Creede. Route 149 meanders south from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison through a scattering of cozy, laid-back communities with deep mining roots.

Telluride and the San Juan Mountains. Former mining camps, including Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride, now welcome adventurers seeking other riches—wilderness trekking, rugged four-wheeling, mountain biking, skiing, and horseback riding.

Durango and Mesa County. Durango is an ideal springboard for exploring nearby Mesa County and its star attraction, Mesa Verde National Park. It's also a college town known for eclectic eateries and historic hotels, as well as its many hiking and mountain-biking options.