the wandering chick
...the Unaweep Scenic Byway

What a surprise to find a destination resort on a road that we figured might not lead to much.

We started out north on Highway 50 to Whitewater from Montrose, then onto the Highway 141. The drive is through a red-rock canyon, the Unaweep Canyon. Its rock is believed to be some of the oldest in Colorado. The canyon soon opens up to a valley, then narrows again near the nothing-town of Gateway. The fact that 141 is also the Unaweep Scenic Byway was a clue that it might be an interesting drive, but the Gateway Canyons Resort about 40 miles south was a mild jaw-dropper.

We toured the immaculate grounds of the resort, had lunch at its Kiva Café, then toured the Gateway Auto Museum, a collection of classics built by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks.

It turned out to be a wonderful day. The resort was a real find, and the fall colors along the way kept us constantly pulling over for pictures.

and the Gateway Canyons Resort
the fall colors along Highway 141
the fall colors along Highway 141
the fall colors along Highway 141
the fall colors along Highway 141
the fall colors along Highway 141
the fall colors along Highway 141
the fall colors along Highway 141
the Driggs Mansion
Thimble Rock is a landmark along the Unaweep Scenic Byway. Geologists believe it to be around two billion years old.
At the foot of Thimble Rock are the remains of the Driggs Mansion. The landowner, Lawrence LaTourette Driggs, had the home built in the early 1900s. It took four years, from 1914 to 1918 to construct. It had six rooms, including two bedrooms. Records indicate that the family only lived in the area for a few weeks before leaving. It is not known why.
the canyon floor and mountains
a ranch along the canyon
mountains and yelllow grass of the canyon
a grand rock that towers over the gateway canyon resort
massive rocks tower over the resort
This massive rock towers over the Gateway Canyon Resort.
the grounds of the Gateway Canyon Resort
Mountains such as this and the one in the photo to the right offer stunning views from the grounds of the Gateway Canyon Resort.
As a destination resort, activities such as jeep and helicopter tours. horse rides and hiking and biking trails are available.
old ice cream truck
on the resort grounds
1906 Cadillac
1913 Pierce Arrow
The Gateway Auto Museum is a must-see for anyone touring the resort. An extensive collection of classics such as this 1906 Cadillac Model H Coupe can be viewed.
A 1913 Pierce-Arrow
1953 Olds Fiesta
A 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta
the 1954 F-88 Concept Car, Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile's 1954 F-88 Concept Car
1929 Packard
the resort grounds
the resort grounds
A 1929 Packard
the resort grounds
The landscape and grounds of the resort make a stunning impact in the otherwise remote land of the Unaweep Canyon.
horses in pasture on the resort grounds
horses in pasture on teh resort grounds
These three horses belong to the resort and were a little spooked by the sprinkler system that randomly went off in the field in which they were pasturing.
the resort grounds
horses in pasture on the resort grounds
the resort grounds
the resort's entertainment stage
the resort spa building
the resort grounds
the fall colors of the canyons
the resort grounds
the fall colors of the canyons
the fall colors of the canyons
the fall colors of the canyons
the fall colors of the canyons
the fall colors of the canyons
the Book Cliffs

To view more Colorado locations, please return to the Colorado home page.

 

My last shot of the day was of the distant Book Cliffs, heading north back out of the Unaweep Canyon toward Whitewater.

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