the wandering chick

I have been blessed to see so many wonderful and magnificent sights during my summer in Colorado. One of the most fun days I have had was this one in which I took off for the Grand Mesa out of Grand Junction.

The weather was perfect, and the scenery could not have been more spectacular. Of course, it helped that the aspens are now starting to turn their brilliant fall colors. Who could ask for more?

I started out with a brief drive east on the I-70. But even that drive was scenic, having the Book Cliffs always to my left. It was hard keeping my eyes on the road.

After 10 miles or so, I took the Highway 65 exit, the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. It meanders through Plateau Canyon, copying the path of the Plateau Creek, which glimmered in the morning sun.

When I came to the junction of Highway 65 and Highway 330, which led to the small town of Collbran, I decided to drive the 11 miles into the town to check it out, not knowing at that point that it would change the course of my day. As I approached the town, I saw a sign that pointed to the right that said "Grand Mesa access." I'm always leary of roads I'm not sure about, so I inquired at the town's Ace Hardware store, since there was no Visitor/Tourist information. Three people ended up convincing me that the 59 Road (on the map it turns into 121), even though the road was washboard after about 7 miles, was too scenic to pass up. It was safe, they said; "Just go slow." They were so right. It was a beautiful drive, especially the pastures and farmland I drove through on 59 Road before entering the Grand Mesa National Forest.

That's where the road became unpaved. It was wide enough, yet always traveling gradually uphill, 5,000 feet above the valley floor to an elevation of a little more than 11,000 feet. The gorgeous stands of yellow and orange aspens took my mind off the shake, rattle and roll of the car. After about three miles of washboarding, I realized that if I didn't want to turn around, I'd have to travel another 12 miles on the road to get across the mesa to the Visitor Center and Highway 65. And so I did, passing numerous lakes, reservoirs and meadows and seeing an occasional oncoming car. (The road eventually leveled out and became less bumpy.)

I continued on the 121 in a westerly direction, eventually coming to the Highway 65 again. Another route, Highway 123, traveled south across the tabletop, but I opted for a paved road. I took the 65 down, stopping often for views and pictures, especially at the Skyway Point, an overlook where you get magnificent panoramics of the Colorado National Monument and the Book Cliffs.

It was a day I'll always remember as one of my favorites.

...the Grand Mesa
Plateau Canyon
The Book Cliffs run west to east starting in Utah and ending just east of Grand Junction. Their color changes with the light, but they're mostly described as a purple-gray color. They can be seen from about anywhere in Grand Junction and the Colorado River Valley.
the Book Cliffs
Part of the Book Cliffs is Mt. Garfield.
the Book Cliffs
Mt Garfield of the Book Cliffs
the Book Cliffs
Plateau Canyon is the beginning of the north end of Highway 65 also called the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. The highway climbs to the Grand Mesa, then starts the descent on the south side toward Cedaredge. Plateau Canyon runs well less than 10 miles of the highway.
Plateau Canyon
Highway 330 to Collbran
A short detour along the Highway 330 led me to the small town of Collbran. Lots of agriculture and ranching along this road.
Highway 330 to Collbran
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 330 to Collbran
Ascending to the Grand Mesa on 59 Road (Highway 121) out of Collbran.
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Highway 121, 59 Road up to Grand Mesa
Aspens line the 121 into the Grand Mesa Natl Forest
Entering the Grand Mesa National Forest and ascending to the Grand Mesa
Aspens line the 121 into the Grand Mesa Natl Forest
Aspens line the 121 into the Grand Mesa Natl Forest
Stands of aspen trees in their glorious autumn colors line the road up to the Grand Mesa.
Aspens line the 121 into the Grand Mesa Natl Forest
approaching the top of the mesa
Atop the Grand Mesa
The mesa comprises some 300 lakes over 500 square miles. The part I was on was flat, but I understand that parts of it can be quite rugged.
Atop the Grand Mesa
I gave up trying to name the lakes...there were so many, and one right after another. I figured it really didn't matter what their names were.
Atop the Grand Mesa
Atop the Grand Mesa
Atop the Grand Mesa
Atop the Grand Mesa
Atop the Grand Mesa
Atop the Grand Mesa
There are lodges, campgrounds and private homes along many of the lakes on the mesa.
a stand of aspen along Highway 65
Colorado Natl Monument in the distance
Back on Highway 65 I caught sight of this small stand of aspen along side the road.
There's a pullover on Highway 65 called Skyway Point. There's this wonderful view of the Colorado National Monument in the distance along with the Book Cliffs and beyond.
The view from the Skyway Point on the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
The view from the Skyway Point on the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
The view from the Skyway Point on the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
The view from the Skyway Point on the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
at Mesa Lake Resort on Highway 65
at Mesa Lake Resort on Highway 65
The Mesa Lake Resort is on the scenic byway as you descend into the valley. It has a nice stream, a couple of lakes, lodges and a restaurant. It's a beautiful setting. The main building has a huge porch for sitting and looking over the lakes and stream. Fishing, of course, is also huge all over the mesa. The next few shots were taken at the resort.
at Mesa Lake Resort on Highway 65
at Mesa Lake Resort on Highway 65
aspen stand on Highway 65
at Mesa Lake Resort on Highway 65
Colorado Natl Monument from a distance
A little further down the highway, the Colorado National Monument once again comes into view.
the Colorado Natl Monument
Book Cliffs and other mtns
aspen trees in yellow and orange
Also coming back into view are the Book Cliffs and other mountains that tower over the Colorado River Valley.
the Plateau Canyon
Plateau Canyon
Plateau Canyon
The last leg of this beautiful drive is back through the Plateau Canyon.

This trip was so much fun, I decided a couple days later to go back to the Collbran area and explore more of the back country roads. It led to a whole new page of photos. Click here if you're interested in seeing them.

I have seen so much beauty this summer in Colorado. If you'd like to see more of my pages throughout the state, please return to the Colorado home page.

 

a day trip of lakes, canyons and charming country roads (did I mention the aspens?)

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