West Elk Loop
Places to Visit

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (CO)

  12 miles of this spectacular 53 mile canyon lie within this national park (designated as such in 1999.) The sheer canyon walls rise for over 1,000 feet above the rushing Gunnison River below.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located in west-central Colorado 15 miles east of Montrose via U.S. 50 and Colo. 347.

• Blue Mesa Lake (CO)

  This is the largest of the three lakes in the Curecanti National Recreation Area.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located in central Colorado near the intersection of Colorado Hwy. 92 and US Hwy. 50.

• Crawford State Park (CO)

  This State Park offers boating, fishing, camping, bird watching, picnicking, hiking, photography, water skiing & swimming- all surrounded by beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	From Delta, take Colorado Highway 92 east to Hotchkiss. Stay right on 92 where it intersects Colorado Highway 133 and drive 10 miles to Crawford. The park is one mile south of town.

• Crested Butte (CO)

  This beautiful mountain resort community was founded in the late 1800's as a mining town. Visitors today can still see many of the original Victorian store fronts and homes.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located in west-central Colorado, 30 miles north of Gunnison along Hwy. 135.

• Crystal Lake (CO)

  Crystal Lake is a narrow, twisting corridor of water at the western edge of the Curecanti National Recration Area.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located in central Colorado, just south and east of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.

• Curecanti National Recreation Area (CO)

  The Curecanti National Recreation Area is made up of three separate lakes, each separated by the placement of a major dam along the Gunnison River.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located in central Colorado near the intersection of Hwy. 92 and US Hwy. 50.

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  Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (CO)

  The Forests include spectacular features like Bridal Veil Falls, Grand Mesa, and Alpine Tunnel.

  Location:	On the western slope of the Colorado Rockies.

• McClure Pass (CO)

  At an elevation of 8,755 feet, this high mountain pass offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains in the area.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located on Colorado Hwy 133 between Carbondale and Paonia. It is near mile marker 43.

• Morrow Point Lake (CO)

  This lake is the center of the three lakes in the Curecanti National Recreation Area.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	This lake is bordered on the north by Colorado Hwy. 92 and on the south by US Hwy. 50.

• Morrow Point Overlook (CO)

  A short trail leads from the roadside to an incredible view of the Black Canyon.

  Distance from byway:	On the byway
  Directions:	Located along Hwy. 92 near mile marker 68.