The West Elk Loop derives its name from the West Elk Mountains, which the Loop circumnavigates. Major geological upheavals created the rugged landscape and rare natural beauty encompassed by the Loop. 

Aspect, elevation and climate determine the great variety of creatures living along the West Elk Loop, which contains numerous microclimates. Paonia is known as a "banana belt" for its mild fruit-growing climate, while in Gunnison, just across the West Elks, temperatures can dip to 40°F below. Carbondale has relatively scant snowfall, while Redstone and Marble are often inundated. Crested Butte and Kebler Pass receive up to 350 inches of snow a year and are lush and verdant in summer. 

Wildlife include elk, mule deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mountain lion, bobcat, ermine, beaver, muskrat, red fox and pine marten. A profusion of wildflowers includes Colorado columbine, lupine, wild geranium, bog orchids and hundreds more. Lakes and streams are home to trout, kokanee salmon and mountain whitefish. Bird life is abundant with blue herons, Canada geese, bald and golden eagles, American dipper, gray jays, Steller's jays and hummingbirds. Pick up a copy of the Elk Mountains Odyssey for a comprehensive look at the West Elks.


The Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway (Hwy 65) takes the traveler to the top of the world's largest flat-top mountain where over 300 crystalline lakes are nestled in the alpine forest and open meadows overflowing with wildflowers. Winter brings over 400 miles of trails for back country skiing, cross country skiing, riding snowmobiles or a Sunday drive for some great food.

Traverse countryside once used by Utes for hunting grounds, where pioneers grazed cattle, where former Olympic skiers play and you will see why people, fore decades, have loved the Grand Mesa.

It's big . . . very big! You won't find crowds on the lakes, the trails are not congested and you can discover your own out-of-doors haven.

The top of Grand Mesa ranges from 10,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. The cool, green slopes covered with aspen. Engelmann spruce, and sub-alpine fir rise above the Western Colorado high desert like an alpine oasis in the sapphire sky.

Completing the circle of mountains is the two-mile-high Uncompahgre Plateau.

The Plateau offers true back-country discoveries of prehistoric human presence. A car and picnic basket will be all you need to create a memorable day.