First to Spring, Grand Junction is the Perfect Escape for Hiking, Biking, Golf and More
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (February 13, 2020) — While most of Colorado’s mountain towns are winding down from their winter season and drying out from the snow, Grand Junction is at peak perfection with warm temperatures and plenty of Colorado sunshine. With highs typically in the 70s, springtime adventures abound. From hiking and biking, to off-roading, golf and yes, even skiing, there’s plenty do to this spring on Colorado’s Western Slope. Below are just a few ideas for springtime adventures in Grand Junction.
Hiking, Climbing & Canyoneering: Grand Junction is a paradise for hikers of all skill levels, and with varied experiences from ancient petroglyphs to mountain summits, alpine forests to desert arches, area trails do not disappoint. With over 40 miles of trails through numerous canyons, some plunging 500 feet, the magnificent Colorado National Monument offers hiking from short out and backs to all-day treks. And, the towering red rocks, deep canyons and large boulders that make up the Monument also provide an incredible destination for rock climbers and canyoneers. Spanning from Colorado to Utah, the Book Cliffs are the longest continuous cliff face on Earth and offer excellent hiking including a challenging climb up Mount Garfield which covers over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in just under two miles. The Book Cliffs are also home to over 100 wild horses and is one of the last remaining wild horse preserves in the country.
Cycling: The Grand Junction area is a cycling hotspot. Serious cyclists can test their mettle on two of Colorado’s most difficult climbs, the Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument, while casual riders spin out the miles on the One Riverfront Trail that follows the Colorado River for 24 miles. The marquee cycling route is Rim Rock Drive over the Colorado National Monument, which plays host to the annual Tour of the Moon, a bucket list ride for many cyclists.
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Riding: 75 percent of the land in Mesa County is public land, equating to more than 1.5 million acres, with much of that area open to mixed use which includes OHV travel: ATV, jeep and motorcycle. Bangs Canyon and Rabbit Valley Recreation Area are both great destinations for a day of off-roading fun.
Mountain Biking: The Grand Valley is one of the top mountain biking destinations in Colorado. Trails range from beginner to expert, downhill-only, and everything in between. One of the most famous areas is the Tabeguache Trailhead, better known as the Lunch Loops. Less than six miles from downtown, the trails are named by locals who sneak out of work for a quick lunchtime ride. Debuting in summer 2020, the new Palisade Plunge Trail will be one of the longest downhill-only trails in the country, taking riders from the top of the Grand Mesa down a 30-mile, 6,000-foot descent to the Colorado River.
Water Sports: Starting high in the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, the Colorado River runs through the Grand Valley offering loads of fun for rafters, kayakers, canoeists, and stand-up paddlers. Water enthusiasts can experience the new Imondi Wake Zone, the state’s first and only full cable wakeboarding park, or satisfy their need for speed on a jet-boating excursion with Jet Boat Colorado, which offers jet-propelled boating adventures.
Golf: Grand Junction offers five public golf courses for visitors to choose from, including The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, located at the base of the towering pink and red sandstone face of the Colorado National Monument and was voted the #1 public course to play in Colorado by Golfweek. Or visit nearby Tiara Rado Golf Course where golfers swing alongside deer and herons on yards of green.
Downhill & Nordic Skiing: While it’s warm and sunny in the valley below, high-up on the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, there are still plenty of snowy adventures to be found. Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers an easy to navigate ski experience for the whole family with terrain to please everyone from beginners to experts. Elsewhere on the Grand Mesa, visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Grand Mesa Nordic Council grooms and maintains 31 miles of trails on the Skyway, County Line, and Ward trail systems on the Grand Mesa which include world class skate/classic ski trails as well as marked trails for ski touring.
For more information and spring travel ideas, visit www.visitgrandjunction.com
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About Grand Junction (www.visitgrandjunction.com)
Grand Junction is the largest city in Western Colorado, located at the junction of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers between Salt Lake City and Denver on Interstate 70. At an altitude of 4,586 feet, the city has warm summers and pleasant spring and fall seasons, along with mild winters, allowing for incredible year-round outdoor recreation adventures. Among Grand Junction's spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons are the 11,000-foot Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain bursting with over 300 lakes. The breathtaking 20,500-acre Colorado National Monument is also a must-see, offering scenic hiking that will inspire the photographer in you. Surrounded by an abundance of public lands, Grand Junction is also a mecca for hunting, fishing, dirt biking and ATV riding. Other attractions include three national scenic byways, rafting, boating, golfing, skiing, extensive public art displays, museums, and a vibrant downtown featuring creative culinary options, shopping, the Grand Junction Convention Center and the Avalon Theatre. The Grand Valley is also home to 28 wineries and the famous Palisade Peach. Visit Grand Junction is a Department of the City of Grand Junction and is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the Grand Junction area.