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Grand Junction Region stretches across a majority of the Northwestern parts of Colorado, including the city of Grand Junction, its namesake. The boundary ends at approximately 5-10 miles outside the city of Montrose, CO, and wraps its way up to 15-20 miles outside the city of Breckenridge. The White River National Forest is included in this area, where several tourists and residents travel to hike, fish, ski, and more. The city of Aspen is located within the area, known for its skiing and aspen trees, along with various other tourist attractions.[3] The Gunnison National Forest is located near the city of Montrose, situated on the bottom portion of the destination's boundaries. One of the biggest attractions in the territory is the Colorado National Monument, a national park that showcases a unique series of canyons and mesas that overlooks the city of Grand Junction.[1]
Other popular areas include Downtown Grand Junction, known for its main street with antique shops, art galleries, gift shops, and more.[2] Museums, vineyards, and wineries are filtered throughout the surrounding area, with Grand Junction being known for its wines, as well as honey and peaches. The overall climate in the Grand Junction Region is warm, with an average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with the peak travel season ranging from early June to mid-September. The destination features mountainous terrains and forested areas, with cities and buildings in the middle point of these terrains.
Tourists from nearly 50 foreign countries visit the area of Grand Junction, ranging in at 15,000 visitors every year. The peak travel time in Grand Junction is early June to mid-September, where the temperature ranges from the 80s to the 90s (Fahrenheit), providing warm, friendly outdoor activities for guests. Those activities include hiking, swimming, biking, and much more. During the offseason, skiing is a popular event, with various ranges being found throughout the region, including the city of Aspen, CO, which is popularly known for its skiing ranges.
Near the mountain tops, hunting and fishing are listed as the major attraction points, especially throughout the Colorado National Monument. The Colorado National Monument is a popular attraction in the area, consisting of a unique series of canyons and mesas that overlook the city of Grand Junction. The park includes various wildlife such as hawks, eagles, ravens, and more. Activities included in the Colorado National Monument are hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and scenic drives. A visitor center and museum are located on the west side of the national park.[10] The feature attraction of the Colorado National Monument is the Monument Canyon, which runs the width of the park and showcases various formations such as the Independence Monument, The Kissing Couple, and more.
The area was established in 1911 after being discovered by John Otto, who soon began building trails across the land. He was later discovered by the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, who praised his work and established him as the first park ranger. The national monument was subsequently protected with the Antiquities Act appointed by the President of the United States at the time, President William Howard Taft. Another popular destination point in the area includes the Downtown Grand Junction area, with various antique shops, art galleries, and gift shops, each supplying tourists and residents with various daily activities.
Grand Junction is known for its locally produced honey and wine, with 27 total wineries included in the city alone. These wineries offer taste testing and luxury dining experiences for guests. Peaches are also produced in the destination, with the season for picking occurring during the peak travel months.[7] The Mesa County Valley School District employs the highest percentage of workers, with the St. Mary's Hospital and the Mesa County supplying the next highest.[1]
The Grand Junction Region stretches throughout the Northwestern portion of the state of Colorado. The city of Grand Junction is the most populous city in the destination, with a total population exceeding 61.5 thousand people as of 2018.[9] The boundary extends out to approximately 5-10 miles outside the city of Montrose, CO, a city known for its Gunnison Tunnel, a 5.8-mile long irrigation tunnel. The destination includes the city of Aspen, CO, a city known for its aspen trees and skiing experience. The city of Breckenridge is on the outside of the region by 15-20 miles, as well as the Gunnison National Forest, which is located near the city of Montrose. The temperature in Grand Junction ranges from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during the peak travel season, which is listed as early June to mid-September. During the offseason, the temperature lowers down to an average of 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit, with four to eight inches of snow occurring during the winter months on average. Four days of precipitation a month is the average in Grand Junction, with the peak rainfall occurring during the months of March, April, and May. [1]
Local animals include the mule deer, a centrally located deer found in the Colorado National Monument, alongside other animals such as coyotes, mountain lions, lizards, and desert bighorn sheep. Smaller animals, such as the grey fox, desert cottontail, rock squirrel, and Hopi chipmunk, are often seen in various hiking trails along with the monument.[5] Plants in the area include the pinyon-juniper woodland, big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and more.[6] Interstate 70 runs throughout the territory, connecting tourists to major cities such as Denver. The terrain in the area is a mix of mountainous and forested, with buildings and structures making up the middle portions.
The area in the Grand Junction Region was first discovered in 200 A.D., where a civilization known as the Fremont first moved into the area. This tribe lived in the area until 1300 A.D. when several Ute tribes soon began to inhabit the surrounding territory. Various rock paintings and symbols from the Ute tribes can still be found in the mountains in the modern-day. During the 1700s, Spanish and Mexican soldiers began poking and prodding throughout the territory in search of gold and new trails to Spanish California. The Grand Junction soon became part of the kingdom of Spain up until 1821. During 1821, Mexico overtook the area, allowing American traders and trappers to begin traveling throughout the destination.
The city of Grand Junction was soon established by Americans in 1881, upon discovery by a Kansas politician and real estate developer named George Crawford. The area of Grand Junction is culturally known for its Ute tribes and other Native American dwellers. The nationality of Grand Junction includes Whites, Asians, and Hispanics as the leading ethnicity in the area.[9] Universities include Colorado Mesa University, Intellitec College-Grand Junction, and The Salon Professional Academy-Grand Junction.
The Bed and Breakfast on Mitchell Creek
The Bed and Breakfast on Mitchell Creek is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The business has been operating as a bed and breakfast since 1994 when it was first established. Today, the property is a ranch-style home with two suites that are available for guests to rent from May through the end of October. The establishment sits on 2.1 acres of land in the Rocky Mountains and has a creek that runs through the acreage as well as two patio areas. Each patio has a fire pit that can be utilized by guests. In the evenings, the owner's dog named Girlfriend will sometimes come and sit with guests outside.
...Read MoreCanyon Creek Bed and Breakfast
Canyon Creek Bed and Breakfast is located in Montrose, Colorado, and is situated centrally among several national forests and recreational areas, including Uncompahgre National Forest and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The bed and breakfast has three units in the main house, the Carriage House, and other vacation rentals available for reservation. The property is open year-round, and the busiest season tends to be during the summer. The owner of the company, Kendra, would like her guests to feel comfortable when they come to the establishment. While the main house's units are unable to accommodate pets, patrons are permitted to bring their pets with them if they are staying in the Carriage House.
...Read MoreWillow Pond Bed and Breakfast is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, about a 15 minute drive away from Colorado National Monument. It is on a modestly sized property with a fair amount of grass and some trees surrounding the building itself. The location of the property is also a few minutes away from any main streets, offering more privacy to guests. That being said, the bed and breakfast is close enough to visit some of the attractions and restaurants recommended by the owner of the bed and breakfast, David Lester. The Willow Pond Bed and Breakfast has been in business for over 10 years.
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