Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway

Updated on Oct 10, 2024

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Length: 50.4 mi (81.1 km)

South end: SH 65 (South Grand Mesa Drive) in Cedaredge North end: I-70 / US 6 south of De Beque Counties Delta County, Colorado, Mesa County, Colorado

Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, also known at the Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway, is a scenic byway in Colorado.

Route description

The byway runs north from Cedaredge along Highway 65, to the top of the Grand Mesa at more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It also includes Land's End Road to the Land's End Observatory from Highway 65. The byway continues past Island Lake, one of more than 300 trout-filled lakes in Grand Mesa National Forest. On the north side of the Mesa are the towns of Mesa, Collbran, and Powderhorn Ski Resort. The byway continues along De Beque Canyon, with its colorful sandstone bluffs, and eventually meets Interstate 70 in the town of De Beque.

Historic and scenic byway designations:

National Scenic Byway received in 1996.

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway by the Colorado Department of Transportation received in 1991.

Forest Service Byway received in 1992.

Scenic Overlooks include:

Cedaredge overlook - an easy access overlook

Land O Lakes overlook - a 1/4 mile moderate walk by foot

Island Lake - an easy access overlook with restrooms and accessible boat ramp

Grand Mesa Visitor Center - easy to moderate access with restrooms

Mesa Lakes Lodge area - an easy to moderate access with restrooms

Jumbo Lakes area - an easy access overlook with restrooms

Skyway Point - an easy access

Powderhorn - an easy access overlook with restrooms

I-70 pullout and interpretation information

References

Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA