Montrose, Colorado, a City Worth Unwrapping

Have you ever driven through a town and asked yourself, "What could there possibly be worth seeing here?" The city of Montrose Colorado is like a present placed on the Uncompahgre Plateau for people to unwrap and see its hidden gifts. The name it's self leads you to believe there is more there than meets the eye. After having several names such as "Dad's Town" the name Montrose was settled on based on Sir Walter Scott's novel The Legend of Montrose. Having been settled in the 1870's, it was not able to be called a town until 1882 after the Ute Indians were removed to the reservation.

Montrose is located in the Uncompahgre River Valley and surrounded by the awe inspiring vistas of the Uncompahgre Plateau. As you approach you will see the remnants of an ancient inland sea, visible in the layers of lime stone and sand stone, which add a vibrant color to the landscape.

Located just ten miles outside of Montrose is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and is a testament to the incredible geological wonders surrounding the area. The Gunnison River cuts a dramatic path through the canyon's granite walls and creates opportunities for hiking, biking, rafting and enjoying the scenery.

For those interested in the history of the Western Slope of Colorado there are two museums that are a must. The Ute Indian museum is located just south of Montrose on U.S. 550 and is a testament to the history of the Ute Indians, Chief Ouray and the area around Montrose. The Museum of the Mountain West is located on your way to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and is veritable smorgasbord of western history. The museum is non-profit and receives most of its historical items as donations from the surrounding areas. You will step back in time as you walk through its recreation of main street America, complete with a country store and dentists office. During the holiday season the museum offers an incredible train collection display that brings back memories of the train circling the Christmas tree.

Need a little winter fun to add to your agenda? Once the fall chill enters the air the area lights up with the changing golds and oranges of the aspen and reds of the mountain mahogany and scrub oak. Add a little snow and the trails transform into snowshoe and cross country skiing pieces of heaven.

Balmy summer nights and frosty winter evenings can be spent enjoying a mouth watering dinner at the Glenn Eyrie restaurant, where the menu changes with the season. Most of the items on the menu are grown on the grounds surrounding the colonial style manor that houses the restaurant. A little more laid back with a lot of spice is the Camp Robber restaurant which takes pride in blending the flavors of the southwest with a variety of cuisines in a magnificent burst of creativity.

Hotels are plentiful in this thriving community with its central location between Grand Junction and the ski areas of Telluride and Monarch located to the south. The Elk Mountain Resort makes a pleasant stay no matter what time of the year you decide to drop in. Located with the Uncompahgre National Forest as it backyard you can stay, play and enjoy the prospect of being one with nature.