Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway
Encyclopedia
Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, also known at the Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway, runs North from Cedaredge
along Highway 65, to the top of the Grand Mesa
at more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It also includes Land's End Road to the Land's End Observatory
from Highway 65. The byway sneaks past Island Lake, one of more than 300 trout-filled lakes in Grand Mesa National Forest
. On the north side of the Mesa are the towns of Mesa
, Collbran
, and Powderhorn Ski Resort
. The byway continues along De Beque Canyon
, with its colorful sandstone bluffs, and eventually meets Interstate 70
in the town of De Beque
.
Historic and scenic byway designations:
Scenic Overlooks include:
Cedaredge Welcome Center has maps, books and other information about the area. Annual events include Heritage Day and Color Sunday Week.
Cedaredge, Colorado
Cedaredge is a Statutory Town in Delta County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,253 at the 2010 census. Cedaredge sits in the Surface Creek Valley beneath the southern slopes of the Grand Mesa, the largest mesa in the world...
along Highway 65, to the top of the Grand Mesa
Grand Mesa
The Grand Mesa is a large mesa in western Colorado in the United States. It has an area of about and stretches for about east of Grand Junction between the Colorado River and the Gunnison River, its tributary to the south. The north side of the mesa is drained largely by Plateau Creek, a...
at more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It also includes Land's End Road to the Land's End Observatory
Land's End Observatory
Land's End Observatory is a ranger observatory on the rim of Grand Mesa in Colorado. It is accessible from the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway via Land's End Road....
from Highway 65. The byway sneaks past Island Lake, one of more than 300 trout-filled lakes in Grand Mesa National Forest
Grand Mesa National Forest
The Grand Mesa National Forest is a U.S. National Forest in Mesa, Delta and Garfield Counties in Western Colorado. It borders the White River National Forest to the north and the Gunnison National Forest to the east. The forest covers most of Grand Mesa and the south part of Battlement Mesa. It...
. On the north side of the Mesa are the towns of Mesa
Mesa, Colorado
Mesa is an unincorporated town and a U.S. Post Office located in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. The Mesa Post Office has the ZIP Code 81643.-External links:* http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/13989...
, Collbran
Collbran, Colorado
Collbran is a Statutory Town in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 708 at the 2010 census. The town is located east of Grand Junction along Plateau Creek, at the upper end of the small cattle ranching valley...
, and Powderhorn Ski Resort
Powderhorn Resort
Powderhorn Resort is located 45 minutes east of Grand Junction, Colorado on the Grand Mesa. The area has a variety of ski terrain such as groomers, bumps, glades, and boulder fields. Powderhorn is unique among Colorado ski resorts because of its terrain and climate...
. The byway continues along De Beque Canyon
De Beque Canyon
De Beque Canyon is a narrow canyon on the Colorado River in western Colorado in the United States. It is approximately 15 miles long, located on the river downstream from the town of De Beque, in eastern Mesa County. The canyon forms a narrow passage where the river passes along the western end of...
, with its colorful sandstone bluffs, and eventually meets Interstate 70
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
in the town of De Beque
De Beque, Colorado
De Beque is a Statutory Town in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 504 at the 2010 census. The town consists of a small grid, including a historic downtown featuring a town hall, a tavern, and several commercial...
.
Historic and scenic byway designations:
- National Scenic BywayNational Scenic BywayA National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
received in 1996. - Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway by the Colorado Department of TransportationColorado Department of TransportationThe Colorado Department of Transportation is the agency of state government responsible for transportation in the State of Colorado of the United States. CDOT is responsible for maintaining 9,144 mile highway system, including 3,429 bridges with over 28 billion vehicle miles of travel per year...
received in 1991. - Forest Service Byway received in 1992.
Scenic Overlooks include:
- Cedaredge overlook - an easy access overlook
- Land O Lakes overlook - a 1/4 mile moderate walk by foot
- Island Lake - an easy access overlook with restrooms and accessible boat ramp
- Grand Mesa Visitor Center - easy to moderate access with restrooms
- Mesa Lakes Lodge area - an easy to moderate access with restrooms
- Jumbo Lakes area - an easy access overlook with restrooms
- Skyway Point - an easy access
- Powderhorn - an easy access overlook with restrooms
- I-70 pullout and interpretation information
Cedaredge Welcome Center has maps, books and other information about the area. Annual events include Heritage Day and Color Sunday Week.