It may be fall but...\

The mornings are crisper, the skies are bluer, and "fall" is definitly in the air. 

Golen Gunnison River
Gregg Morin photo

Our abundant early autumn rains put a slight damper on the glorious golden 

Biking Hartman Rocks
Gregg Morin photo

and red aspen leaves we typically enjoy but it is still more than worthwhile to get out and enjoy the Gunnison Valley. 
Walking, hiking and biking are superb on the VanTuyl Ranch trails or at Hartman Rocks south of town.  The cool fall air is invigorating as you pedal your way through the granite boulders lining the bike and hiking trails.  And those pesky summer mosquitos are but a vague memory.   
Although the seasonal low water levels in the Gunnison River make kayaking and rafting more challenging at this time of year, fishing is still in full swing.  There's nothing like casting a hand-tied fly out over the riffles in pursuit of the whily rainbow trout.  Or just dangle your feel in the cool water, find your zen-center, and watch the golden leaves raft their way down river to Blue Meas Reservoir. 
You can hike, road bike, mountain bike, rock climb or just enjoy the great outdoors in a serene moment.  When evening stars to fall, head indoors at the Gunnison Community Center for swimming, sliding down the water slides, climbing on the indoor wall, play basketball in the gym or challenge the kids or friends to a game of pool in the game room. 
If you can't wait for winter, get acclimatized by strapping on your ice skates and playing hockey or practice your sitz spins at the indoor Jorgensen Ice Rink. 
Bottom line, there's lots to do in the fall in Gunnison - your Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains!

Come on Up...We're OPEN for Visitors!

Canoeing on the Gunnison River

That's right, Gunnison is welcoming visitors.  The large West Fork Fire Complex is located well south of the Gunnison Valley - across the Continental Divide and is not affecting all of the great outdoor recreation the Gunnison Valley has to offer! 

Although Gunnison County has implemented a precautionary Stage 1 Fire Ban, effective this morning, Monday, June 24th, visitors are still able to have small campfires in established campgrounds that provide metal and concrete fire rings.  So as of now, you can still make those s'mores and sing songs around the campfire.  We just ask you to be VERY careful.  There are plenty of Forest Service and Commercial Campgrounds in the area.  If camping out isn't your cup of tea, Gunnison has lots of hotels, motels, condos, and cabins, from luxurious to rustic!  

Mountain Wildflowers



Biking in the Wildflowers

The weather is great in the Gunnison High Country.  You can fly fish, stream and lake fish, kayak and raft on the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers, rock climb, boat, swim, sail, and water ski at the State's largest lake - Blue Mesa Reservoir, road bike, trail run, hike, play golf or tennis, climb a mountain, pop some 360's on your skateboard at the Gunnison SkateBowl, mountain bike on scenic and seculded single track trails,  ride your BMX bike on the Jorgensen track, listen to toe tapping Bluegrass or Country Music at the I-Bar Ranch, jeep to ghost towns, crack rocks on old mine dumps, look deep into the night sky after dark at the Gunnison Observatory, shop for eclectic clothes and gifts, munch and slurp ice cream cones downtown, sip microbrews or fine wines, sample delicious food of all kinds from down-home BBQ to juicy steaks and seafood to Nepalese cuisine,  swim, catch a movie, or just slow down the pace and veg-out while looking at the blooming wildflowers.  Go to www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com for more to do!  It could take you all summer! 

Come on Up - We're waiting for you! 



Blue Mesa Reservoir



Summer (almost) Weekend

The calendar still says spring but our Gunnison activities are geared up for the summer season!
The highly successful Gunnison Growler biking events, the Sage Burner Running Races the funky townie takeover and the Gran Fondo to Mt. Crested Butte heralded the start of the summer tourist season last weekend.  The downtown businesses saw a lively weekend with their annual summer sidewalk sales.

And although you may need to batten down the hatches, small children and your pet poodle due to this late springtime wind, this weekend is shaping up to be great Gunnison summertime adventure. 


kayaking the Gunnison



Biking at Hartman Rocks

The kids are officially out of school today, so channel some of their energy and take a hike, fish on the river or Blue Mesa, paddle your duckies or kayaks at the Gunnison Whitewater Park (remember your pfd!), ride the mountain bikes on the fabulous trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area or the sublime trails on the VanTuyl Ranch (wear your helmet), visit the history-packed Gunnison Pioneer Museum (don't forget to ring the locomotive bell) and then take a relaxing swim at the Gunnison Community Center's Aquatics Center.

Satuday morning at 10am, head over to Jorgensen Park on East Tomichi Avenue, and have the kids participate in the FREE Youth Fishing Derby and Outdoor Sports Expo.  There's a safe shooting BB Gun Range, Smokey Bear, Wildlife Identification, an Archery Range and exhibits on wildlife and outdoor sports. Catch a lunker trout in PacMan Pond.  Fishing poles are provided or bring your favorite pole with you.   

At noon, get on over to the Gunnison City Shops at 1100 W. Virginia Avnue, for the City's Bike Auction.  It is a silent auction, so select the bike you want and write your bid on the appropriate bid sheet.  The auction closes promptly at 1pm.  No late bids!  You may find your new bike treasure among all of these unclaimed bicycles. Remember and register it with the Gunnison PD so it can be returned to you if you lose it!   


Sundays at 6 Concert at Legion Park

And to end the weekend, take your blanket, camp chair and picnic supper to Legion Park for the  Gunnison Arts Center's first of the summer "Sundays at 6" Concerts.  The Beatles Tribute Band  "Doctor Robert" will be starting off this summer's community concert series.  Kick back, meet and greet friends, and enjoy the retro-music. 

Western in TOP 10!

Mountain Bike Action magazine has selected Western State Colorado University as ranking in the TOP 10 Universities for mountain biking!  

Biking at Hartman Rocks

WSCU's Mountain Sports Team Director Dave Weins stated "Gunnison and WSCU's backyard trail riding is top-shelf, second to none.  Our riders' daily bread is the magnificent 50+ mile trail network of the Hartman Rocks area." 

WSCU students, locals and visitors alike can bike this multi-level biking trails recreation area located a few short miles south of town.  The City of Gunnison co-owns the base area and provides parking, pit toilets and a covered picnic shelter with access to the trail system. 

WSCU has also been ranked as one of America's best colleges in Forbes Magazine in 2011, one of Forbes' Top 100 Best buy Colleges, one of the top liberal arts schools by Washington Monthly, and is listed as one of America's top "coolest schools" by the Sierra Clkub.  Way to go WSCU!

Time to Ride!

Now that Cattlemen's Days is but a fun memory, dismount your trusty pony and mount that mountain bike!  Hartman Rocks is beckoning you!

Mountain Biking Hartman Rocks
photo copyright protected

Hartman Rocks, classified by geologists as a pink granite ring-dike, is a year-round recreational paradise.  The base area is co-owned by the City of Gunnison and Gunnison County and features parking, picnic shelter and restrooms.  The majority of the land is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. 
Many trails are multi-use.  Trails are numbered and signs indicate the allowed trail uses.  There is a jump park for bicycles at the base area.  Hiking and trail running are also very popular at Hartman Rocks.  

Climbing at Hartman Rocks


Rock climbing takes place mainly on the granitic ridge that gives the rocks its name.  Several sites have established routes.  Bolting is allowed however clean climbing is strongly encouraged. 
Motorcycling is allowed on 39 miles of trails and 33 miles of roads that also allow four-wheel driving and ATV use.  There is a motorcycle terrain park with a 1-mile closed loop near the western McCabe Lane entrance.  Be aware, several trails are closed to motorcycles. 
Wintertime use includes cross country skiing and some snowmobiling. when snow levels allow.  
But back to mountain biking! There are 40 miles of single track trails and 33 miles of dirt roads that are open to mountain biking.  The trails range from novice to expert.  Biking the trails, up, down, over and between the granite boulders, with far-reaching vistas of the Continental Divide and the West Elk Mountains, are spectaular.  With much-needed recent rain showers in the afternoons,  plan a cool morning ride and enjoy Hartman Rocks!

Beauty after a fun Hartman Adventure Day
photo copyright protected



Busy So Far

It's not even officially summer yet, and there's been a lot happening in Gunnison.  Even with the strong blustery winds, everyone seems to be enjoying our Valley.

Fishermen Cody & Sparky Casebolt



Amerigas Fishing Derby "Grillers"



Mayor Houck at the Start



Saturday, May 26th saw the City-sponsored annual Kids Outdoor Recreation and Fishing Derby.  A variety of wonderful community organizations set up educational booths for the kids to learn about everything from archery to turkey calling to experiencing wildlife.  Each participant received a fishing pole and had the opportunity to catch fish in PacMan Pond.  With the 30+ mph winds, the kids did well to cast with the wind from the west side of the pond!  The event culminated in lunch grilled by the dedicated volunteers from Amerigas on the "Big Giller".  Thanks to all of the participants for making this annual event a fun experience for all of the kids!

Saturday and Sunday morning heralded the Rage in the Sage Weekend "Gunnison Growler" mountain biking races.  Saturday was the 32 mile half-growler that started at 9am.  Mayor Jonathan Houck started each morning's race with a shotgun blast.  He says it's one of his favorite "Mayoral" duties of the year.   Sunday's race was the "Full Growler" 64 mile bike race and it started bright and early at 7am.  Monday morning, a contingent of hearty souls undertook the 25k and 50k running races on the Hartman Rocks trails.  What a "refreshing" way to start the day!  A great deal of thanks goes out to the race organizers, "Gunnison Trails",  all of the course volunteers on all three days, and of course, the dedicated race participants.  We hope to see you all back later this summer for more fun in the Gunnison Valley!

Start of the Half 32-Mile" Growler Mtn Bike Race



BIG Weekend Ahead

There's a lot to do in the Gunnison Valley this weekend!  Friday night, start off the Memorial Day Holiday weekend by visiting one of Gunnison's great restaurants, taverns, or brew pub. 

Catchin' a Fish at the Kids Derby

Saturday morning, start with coffee at one of the great locally-owned coffee houses.  then starting at 10am on Saturday morning, May 26th, take the kids over to Jorgensen Park for the Annual Kid's Fishing Derby and Outdoor Recreation Event.  It's free!  Representatives from the Forest Service, National Park Service, Elks Foundation, Gunnison Kiwanis, Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife, Wild Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited and many, many more will be on hand to teach the kids about outdoor recreation.  Free fishing poles will be available for the kids to try out their luck in recently-stocked Pac-Man Pond.  A free lunch, grilled by Amerigas, will be available as well. 

Also in Jorgensen Park will be the Gunnison  Chamber-sponsored Outdoor Adventure Expo.  A variety of Recreation and Sports Vendors will have display booths and seminars on all sorts of outdoor recreation.  The Expo runs until 3pm. 
Saturday morning signals the start of the RAGE IN THE SAGE 2012 Events.  A shotgun start at 9am, will see 350 mountain bike riders race from Main and Virginia on their way west on Highway 50 to Hartman Rocks.  This race is the Half-Growler, a 32 mile, mountain bike race around the challenging trails of Hartman Rocks.  The awards ceremony for the Half-Growler Race will be at 3pm at the IOOF Park.  Even if you're not a mountain bike rider, head over to the IOOF Park from Noon to 5pm and visit the food vendors, beer garden (if you're 21 or over and can prove it) and listen to the music.  Also on Saturday, back out of Hartman Rocks starting at 1pm is the KEEN "Rippin Chix" Bike Camp.

Starting Line of the Gunnison Growler Race

Rage in the Sage continues on Sunday morning at 7am with the shotgun start of the Full Growler, 64-mile mountain bike race.  The riders will again start at Main St. and Virginia Aven. and once again head out to Hartman Rocks.  The Full Growler awards ceremony will start at 5:15pm at the IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison.  Food vendors, a beer garden and live music will also be available Sunday afternoon at  IOOF Park starting at Noon.
The Gran Fondo Bike Ride to Crested Butte starts at 7:30am on Sunday following the Full Growler start.  Riders will cycle north on Highway 135 to Crested Butte and back.  The Gran Fondo is a fundraiser for Gunnison Country Partners. 
Rounding out the Rage in the Sage Events is the WSC Cross-Country and Track and Field Teams- sponsored Sage Burner Running Race at Hartman Rocks.  Lace up your running shoes and tackle the 25k or 50k running race.  The races start at 7am at the Hartman Rocks base area.  For more information on any of the Rage in the Sage events go to http://www.gunnisontrails.com/ and click on "Races" then the  "The Original Growler" line. 
After all of the racing on Sunday - head over to the Gunnison Arts Center on the southeast corner of Main and Tomichi and listen to the live bluegrass-rock n roll music of "Effrum the Bear".  The music starts at 8pm.  Tickets are $10.00.  For more information go to http://www.gunnisonartscenter.org/ 
Also featured this weekend, many Gunnison businesses will be hosting their annual Memorial Day sidewalk sales.  Go shopping Saturday, Sunday AND Monday for great gifts, clothing and fun items.
And...you can always fish or boat at the lake or fly fish on the river, water ski, wake board or sail at Blue Mesa, kayak the Taylor or Gunnison to the Whitewater Park, raft, hike the in-town or backcountry trails, motorcycle, four-wheel, check out and photograph the wildlife, and just plain enjoy Gunnison - Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains!
Have a safe and fun Gunnison weekend!

Join the National Bike Challenge Colorado

Do you ride your bike to commute to work or school, for errands, for the health of it or maybe just for fun?  Join thousands of cyclists across Colorado and help log more than 1 million bike miles this summer.  The City of Gunnison, along with Gunnison Nordic, Gunnison Trails, LiveWell Colorado and several other organizations, is co-sponsoring the 2012 National Bike Challenge Colorado!   The Challenge runs from May 1st through August 31st, 2012. 

Gunnison Growler Bike Race 2011

How to participate?  Sign up at http://www.nationalbikechallenge.org/  It's easy and free.  Then log your bike trips to work, for errands or for recreation.  You can compete as a team, or as an individual - all for the State of Colorado.  Your transportation can be a road bike, mountain bike, townie, or even your kiddie strider bike!  You'll be helping the environment, your finances, your health, and just for FUN! Ride On!

SUMMER RECREATION!

Summer Recreation Programs are starting. Most are beginning this week. If you are interested in signing up - now is the time! You can dig in the dirt, fly through the air, get wet, hurtle down a hill, and just have FUN!
The following programs are being offered:
Gymnastics; Basketball; Youth and Adult Tennis; Sporties for Shorties; Water Fun Day at the Park; Baseball; Indoor and Outdoor Rock Climbing for Youth and Adults; Outdoor Pickleball; Youth and Adult Tae-Kwon-Do; Aerial Dance with Hoop and Fabric; Youth and Adult Hula Hooping; Fly Fishing Camp; Three Rivers Raft Trips; Youth Mountain Bike Classes; Get Fit-Stay Fit; Zumba; Mountain Roots Garden Summer Camp; WSC Track and Field Day Camp; BMX; Swimming Lessons; Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons; Diving Lessons; Jr. Lifeguard Training; First Aid/CPR/AED Training; and Water Aerobics.
If you would like to register, please call 641-8060 or go online at http://www.gunnisonrec.com/

It was a GREAT Weekend

Despite the windy conditions, it was a great outdoor recreation weekend in Gunnison. There were three BIG Rage in the Sage events at Hartman Rocks this weekend. The 24 Hours of Gunnison Glory climbing event started Friday evening at Hartman Rocks. Saturday morning saw runners heading out for the annual 25k and 50k Sage Burner Running Races at Hartman Rocks. Then 7am Sunday morning saw 350 mountain bikers at the downtown Gunnison IOOF Park starting line. With the starting shotgun blast of Mayor Jonathan Houck, the riders rode down Tomichi and out to Hartman Rocks where the race started up Kill Hill.

A huge amount of thanks goes out to the organizers and sponsors of these three events. They really bring a lot of folks to our community. Kudos too to all of the City crews from Public Works, Parks & Recreation and the Police Department, without whom, these events wouldn't take place.