18 Attractions to Explore Near Crystal Reservoir
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D & RG Narrow Gauge TrestleThe D&RG Narrow Gauge Trestle in Montrose County, Colorado is a historic wooden trestle that was built in the late 19th century. The trestle is located on a former railway line that was used to transport silver and other minerals from the nearby San Juans Mountains. The trestle is one of the largest and most impressive examples of railroad engineering from this period in American history. It is also one of the only remaining structures from the D&RG Railroad, which operated in Colorado.
Morrow Point DamMorrow Point Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Gunnison River in Montrose County, which was built between 1963 and 1968 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. The reservoir is used for irrigation, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation. The dam's power plant has a capacity of 72 megawatts. In addition to its main purpose of generating hydroelectric power, the Morrow Point Dam also helps to regulate water levels in the Gunnison River.
Cerro SummitCerro Summit is a high mountain pass in Montrose County, Colorado. The pass lies on the Continental Divide, at an elevation of 12,276 feet. The pass is traversed by State Highway 145, which connects the towns of Telluride and Placerville. Cerro Summit is one of the highest paved roads in Colorado. The views from the pass are stunning, with alpine meadows and wildflowers in summer, and snow-capped peaks in winter.
Morrow Point ReservoirMorrow Point Reservoir is a man-made body of water in Montrose County. The reservoir was created in 1968 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Aspinall Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. It is located in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and its primary purpose is to store water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The reservoir has a capacity of 36,700 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,200 acres. It is fed by the Morrow Point Dam.
Pulpit Rock OverlookNestled in the majestic San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, Pulpit Rock Overlook provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The overlook is located just a short hike from the town of Montrose, making it the perfect destination for a day trip. From Pulpit Rock, visitors can see the nearby towns of Ouray and Telluride, as well as the 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juans. The overlook is also a popular spot for bird watching, as it is home to a variety of different species.
Curecanti NeedleCurecanti Needle is a 700 foot granite spire located deep within Curecanti National Recreation Area in western Colorado. Used for many years as an advertising symbol for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, whose narrow-gauge railway famously ran along the northern bank of the river and passed near the Needle, the spire is today part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, a National Park Service facility that encompasses three impoundments of the Gunnison river.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado, about 12 miles east of Montrose. The park derives its name from the black granite walls that soar 2,000 feet above the Gunnison River. The canyon is one of the deepest and narrowest in North America, and it offers visitors spectacular views of the river below. In addition to hiking and camping, visitors can also enjoy fishing, boating, and horseback riding. The park is open year-round.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison WildernessThe Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness is located in Montrose County, Colorado. This wilderness area is bounded by the Gunnison River on the west and the Uncompahgre Plateau on the east. The canyon itself is approximately 12 miles long and 2,000 feet deep. The walls of the canyon are steep and lined with various types of rock, including granite, gneiss, and schist. The canyon floor is strewn with boulders and debris from rockslides.
Crawford DamCrawford Dam impounds water for Crawford Reservoir in Delta County, Colorado about a mile south of the town of Crawford. The earthen dam was completed in 1962 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation with a height of 162 feet and 580 feet long at its crest. It impounds Iron Creek for irrigation flood control, one element of the Smith Fork Project. The reservoir is encompassed within Crawford State Park with Park Headquarters located on a peninsula along the northeastern shore.
Crawford State ParkCrawford State Park is a Colorado State Park that encompasses Crawford Reservoir located about 1 mile south of the town of Crawford in Delta County, Colorado. The 760-acre park was established in 1964 on the shore of Crawford Reservoir, a 400 acres lake with boat ramps and a swimming beach. Other facilities include camp sites, picnic sites and a visitors center.
Blue Mesa DamBlue Mesa Dam is on the Gunnison river about 30 miles below Gunnison, and 1.5 miles below Sapinero, Colorado. Blue Mesa Dam and reservoir are part of the Bureau of Reclamation's Wayne N. Aspinall Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project, which retains the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries for agricultural and municipal use in the American Southwest. The dam has a volume of 3,080,000 cubic yards and the spillway intake structure has two radial gates.
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation AreaThe Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is located in western Colorado, near the town of Montrose. The area is known for its dramatic gorge, which was carved by the Gunnison River. The gorge is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including bighorn sheep, eagles, and canyon Offense. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and rafting in the Gunnison Gorge. In addition, the area offers several scenic drives, as well as opportunities for backcountry exploration.
Ute Indian MuseumThe Ute Indian Museum in Montrose County, Colorado is a small museum with a big focus on the history and culture of the Ute people. The museum tells the story of the Ute people from their time as nomadic hunters to their forced relocation onto reservations. The exhibits feature a variety of artifacts, including traditional clothing, tools, and art. The museum also has a number of interactive displays, such as a life-size teepee and a replica wickiup.
Saddle MountainSaddle Mountain is a large, conical mountain located on the western side of the West Elk Mountains southeast of Crawford, Colorado. It has an elevation of 10,005 ft with over 3,000 ft of vertical relief above the valley below. Although it has the classic shape of an extinct volcano, Saddle Mountain is an exposed igneous intrusion that geologists call a laccolith.
Montrose County Historical MuseumThe Montrose County Historical Museum is located in the city of Montrose in southwestern Colorado. The museum's collections focus on the history of the region, with exhibits on topics such as Native American culture, the early days of exploration and settlement, and the area's role in the development of the American West. The museum also maintains a research library and archives, which are open to the public.
Needle Rock Natural AreaNeedle Rock is an iconic landmark visible from Highway 92 near the town of Crawford. The surrounding terrain is characterized by laccolithic mountains flanked by precipitous cliffs, extensive talus aprons, forested mesas, canyons, and spacious, well-watered intermontane basins. The massive rock feature originated in the Oligocene geological epoch when magma intruded between existing sedimentary rocks as the crown of a buried laccolith or possibly the underlying conduit of a laccolith.
Cimarron RidgeCimarron Ridge is a ridge in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. The ridge runs north-south and occupies parts of Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, and Hinsdale counties. It is considered among the most difficult peaks to climb in Colorado. Peaks along the ridge include Courthouse Mountain and Chimney rock.
Ridgway State ParkRidgway State Park is a beautiful recreation area located in Ouray County, Colorado. The park covers over 1,000 acres and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can camp in one of the many campsites, hike or bike on the numerous trails, fish in the Reservoir, or paddle on the San Miguel River. In addition, the park also offers an amphitheater, Visitor Center, and group picnic areas. The park is open year-round and offers stunning views of the nearby San Juan Mountains.
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Crystal ReservoirCrystal Reservoir is a man-made reservoir located in Montrose County. The reservoir was created in the early 1980s by damming the Crystal River. The reservoir is located near the town of Nucla and is a popular recreation spot for boating, fishing, and water skiing. It is also known for its abundance of cutthroat trout. The reservoir is fed by the Crystal River and is surrounded by steep cliffs and evergreen forests. The reservoir is used for irrigation, recreation, and flood control.