Colorado Summer :

/> You can’t really go to Crested Butte without trying your hand at some world-class mountain biking.  In fact, just before my excursion, we bumped into Gary Fisher - the father of the sport from Marin County, California.  We rented our bikes from Crested Butte Sports and set off for a great two-hour ride just outside of town.  The terrain is varied and people of all skills can find the right path to fit their abilities.  Bring plenty of water and some rain gear, as the summer months are known as the monsoon season in Colorado.  We got caught in a few torrential ten- to fifteen-minute downpours followed by some amazing rainbows. 

Half-Day Adult: $45
Half-Day Kids:  $12
Helmets:  $5
Bike Lock:  $5

WHERE TO STAY:

West Wall Lodge, Crested Butte
We had the privilege of staying at the West Wall Lodge.  This is a unique property in the sense that each unit is a private residence that the hotel manages.  We stayed in a spectacular, spacious two- bedroom unit that the owners had decorated professionally, using an upscale modern western theme.  We opened the door and felt at home immediately.  We especially enjoyed the modern kitchen, complete with granite countertops and the cut pine pole deck furniture. 

The king bed was luxuriously comfortable.  Luckily, we were situated on the second floor.  At 1am, the neighbors across the street called out, “look out, there’s a bear in the dumpster” to the young ladies passing by.  Then the bear growled and moaned and the girls screamed!  All this drama was exciting but no one was hurt. Just the doors pulled off the dumpster shed.  The West Wall Lodge is well worth considering and I’m sure that the ski-in, ski-out access during the winter makes this a place that should be at the top of your travel plan list. 

One or Two Bedroom Units:  $482-$660 per night
Three Bedroom Units:  $923 per night
Four Bedroom Units:  $1,259
Contact: 888-349-1280

WHAT ELSE TO DO:

Fly Fishing, The Black Canyon
If you time it just right, you can plan a fly-fishing trip to the Black Canyon.  Timing is key and is determined by the Stone Fly hatch.  If you can get there while this is going on, you’ll have one of the best and most productive fishing expeditions of your life. 

I’d recommend Cimarron Creek Outfitters and Bob Burke as your guide.  He’ll set you up with all the gear you’ll need including backpack, water bottles, and flotation gear to float across the Gunnison River to reach the prime spots to catch rainbow and brown trout. 

Getting there is half the fun.  You will have to hike over a thousand vertical feet to get into the canyon and access the river.  The descent is much easier than the ascent.  In fact, leaning your weight forward and having the right hiking boots is essential.  I nearly lost my balance with the forty-pound pack on my back.  This would have been a serious fall.  Be careful. 

At the bottom of the canyon is the Gunnison River.  We used flotation devices to gain access to the far side of the river.  Once there, we slowly and methodically hiked along the bank while casting upstream for the fish. 

We caught a dozen rainbow and brown trout, all medium-sized, that were feeding on various small flies and insects.  I had just missed the Stone Fly hatch by a week…serious anglers book Bob’s time way in advance and stay in Montrose until the hatch begins.

Open Mon-Fri 9-5:30, Saturday
Contact: (970) 249-0408 

WHERE TO STAY:

Canyon Creek B & B
Canyon Creek Bed and Breakfast is a special little place where you can rest your weary head after a long day of hiking and fishing.  The proprietor, Kendra Gallegos is a native from Montrose and learned the hospitality business on Martha’s Vineyard.  Her warmth, generosity, and enthusiasm will not be lost on you. She truly loves what she’s doing and you feel like you’re part of her family.  She painstakingly remodeled the Canyon Creek B & B with her husband.  The rooms are small, but each one is creatively named such as “The Chiptea,” the “Monarch” and “Idarado.” We especially enjoyed the home-cooked breakfasts she joyfully prepared. 

Rooms: $135 per night.
Contact:  970-249-2886