The most rocky and high-mountainous region of America, Colorado (Colorado) is located in the west of the country in the Rocky Mountains. Here are the highest peaks of the country, including Elbert Peak, which rushed upwards for more than four kilometers. Not surprisingly, skiing is the state’s main source of income: there are four popular resorts here at once: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. In addition, the prestigious Aspen is located next door, on the slopes of which world celebrities roll kilometers. All resorts are connected by a free bus, there is also one ski pass for the ski lifts – The Colorado Ticket.
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How to get to ski resorts in Colorado
To get to the resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge, it is most convenient to fly to Denver with British Airways or Lufthansa. Denver International Airport is located 145 km from Breckenridge and 193 km from the resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek.
When choosing a combined tour (excursions plus skiing), Aeroflot flights to New York or Los Angeles will be more convenient, then by domestic airlines. For example, American Airlines from New York to Denver fly about 4.5 hours, from Los Angeles – two hours. Another option is a Delta flight with a stopover in New York or Atlanta.
- Countryaah – Cities in Colorado: List of all municipalities in the state of Colorado, including cities and towns of Colorado.
Entertainment and attractions in Colorado
The number 1 excursion destination in the state is the Rocky Mountains National Park with spectacular mountain landscapes, picturesque rivers and valleys. The territory of the reserve is home to a huge number of mammals and birds, which can be seen during walking tours starting from one of the five visitor centers. Number 2 is the legendary canyon Eldorado.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is almost 20 km of picturesque gorge with sheer cliffs on both sides of the hiking trail. It is worth visiting the Great Dunes National Park, where, as the name suggests, you can see the highest American dunes – up to more than 200 meters. Mesa Verde Park has some very remarkable prehistoric rock dwellings. Finally, in the Wine Valley of Colorado, you can get acquainted with the process of growing grapes (and the taste of the product obtained from it) in every detail.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in the US state of Colorado. It lies south of the town of Crawford, at an altitude of about 2500 meters above sea level and the Gunnison River flows through it. Part of the park is one of the deepest and most interesting canyons in the United States – Black Canyon. The park is frequently visited by tourists for its unique natural beauty, hiking, climbing, camping and rafting. It has also become home to many species of plants and animals. From the plants you will come across mahogany or junipers, the edges of the canyon are also covered with low dwarf oaks. The animal kingdom is represented by elk, coyotes, rabbits, eagles and other animals.
The Gunnison River, as well as the nearby town, was named after the researcher and topographer John William Gunnison, who lived from 1812 to 1853. As a young man, he undertook several exploration trips around Florida, and his first expeditions included a trip to the Salt Lake City area in Utah, which took place in 1849. The aim of this expedition was to map the path of the Mormons, he later wrote a book about this journey and Mormon customs.
One of his last expeditions took place in 1853, when he and researcher Antonio Leroux visited the area of today’s Gunnison River and discovered the Black Canyon along the way. At that time, he was warned by the locals about the hostile situation between the whites and the Paiuta Indians, as well as the fact that there were relatively numerous skirmishes. However, this fact did not deter him and he relied on his negotiating skills. One October morning in 1853, his entire 12-member group was attacked by Indians who wanted to avenge their murdered chief. Although Gunnison tried his best to negotiate with the Indians, it didn’t help and he was killed on the spot, along with eight other members of the expedition.
Around 1900, there was a great drought in the area, and the white settlers urgently needed water to irrigate the adjacent valley. Therefore, four men were sent to the canyon to find a suitable place through which a tunnel could be led, which would bring water from the river to the valley. However, their expedition was unsuccessful, they almost lost their lives during it. However, one of the men returned to the canyon a year later, and together with engineer Fellows, they managed to map and photograph places suitable for tunneling. Its construction could thus begin in 1901, but due to lack of funds, the construction had to be interrupted. Construction did not begin again until 1905, when the tunnel was completed in 1909. This tunnel is one of the longest built at the time, stretching 6 miles through hard rock,
Black Canyon of the Gunnison became a national monument in 1933. In 1999, its status was changed to a national park. Today, the park protects unique rock walls, which date back to the Precambrian period 500 million years ago. In total, the canyon is 78 km long, but the national park belongs to 22.5 km. The depth of the canyon is sometimes up to 829 meters, its width ranges from 12 to 335 meters. Three dams were built on the Gunnison River in the last century – the 20-mile and 390-foot-high Blue Mesa Reservoir, the 12-mile Morrow Point Reservoir and the Crystal Reservoir.