Grand Junction, CO – Colorado’s 63 mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway leads through old-growth forests, aspens, meadows and so many lakes you’ll lose track. That’s Grand Mesa in a nutshell. A must-see on the world’s largest flat-topped mountain is the Lands End Overlook, which clings 6,000 feet above the valley and takes in views as far-reaching as the Sneffels Range near Ridgway Colorado. We drove this scenic byway in July 2017 while traveling with Mike’s parents. In one day we were able to tour Grand Mesa and the Colorado National Monument. We did not spend much time at stops or do any hikes. If you want to do some hiking at both locations, it would make for a very long day.
We enjoyed traveling with Mike’s parents for two weeks in July
The northern entrance of the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is Mesa. To get to Mesa travel about 30 miles east of Grand Junction to Exit 49 of Interstate 70 at the town of De Beque. Head south through the colorful sandstone bluffs of De Beque Canyon to reach Mesa. Travel through Collbran and past the Powderhorn Ski Resort. The byway travels into the Grand Mesa National Forest and past Island Lake, one of more than 300 trout-filled lakes. Take time to travel the Land’s End Road to the observatory and overlook of the Grand Valley. Land’s End Road is closed in the winter.
View of the Grand Valley from Land’s End on Grand Mesa
One of the many lakes on Grand Mesa
The scenic byway travels the top of the Grand Mesa at more than 10,000 feet elevation with wide open meadows, meandering streams, forest, and lakes. The wildflowers were phenomenal. We stopped at the Visitor Center at Island Lake which has information about the region and a small gift shop. From here we continued south to Cedaredge known for of its apple orchards. We made a loop trip by continuing on Highway 65 to Delta and then traveling on Highway 50 back to Grand Junction.
Wildflowers on Grand Mesa
Wildflowers Grand Mesa
View on Grand Mesa
Grand Mesa forest and flowers
Golden-mantled ground squirrel at Land’s End Overlook
This byway is definitely worth the drive. There were many hikes along the route which were quite inviting. Mike and I plan to return for hiking on a future trip.
