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Colorado Vignette - Grand County

The history of Grand County includes characters such as chief Ouray the peaceful Ute leader, interpreter and negotiator; Colorado River explorer John Wesley Powell; frontiersman Kit Carson and writer Zane Grey. Conditions were at times gruesome, romantic or hectic, but never boring. The town of Hot Sulphur Springs was the first town established in what became Grand County. The springs, naturally heated to 110 degrees, were used by the plains Indians of the last century as a spiritual gathering spot.

In 1879 gold was found on the Colorado River. Prospectors streamed across the Continental Divide from the East on what is now Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Grand Lake was "discovered" then. After the gold rush, it became a summer holiday favorite for the wealthy. Vestiges of architecture from this period, "Late Victorian Rustic" are still abundant in the area.

Large Ranches filled the rolling ranchland around Kremmling and Middle Park. Thousands of head of cattle roamed the area.

The Rail Road arrived in 1905 and the area flourished with mining, timber and ranching. Fraser and Tabernash were the hubs. The Cozens Ranch, Frasier's first homestead and Post Office, is now a museum worth the trip. The area at the base of Byers Peak is a fisherman's paradise. It was a favorite of President Eisenhower in the late 1950's. There is more water here than in any other part of the state.

The mountain biking interest has brought new pioneers to Grand County who have mapped out over 600 miles of nationally acclaimed trails. You can ride through Silver Creek, Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies and Winter Park all in one loop or ride the 200 mile trail system connecting Winter Park to Steamboat Springs.

There is more than one way to go riding in Grand County. Any one of several outfitters can have you sitting high in the saddle. Choose a one day ride or a week's stay on a dude ranch. You'll find it all; fishing, hiking, rafting, boating, jeeping, swimming, even square dancing.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a must for anyone exploring Colorado. Visit this sanctuary and with some luck, see elk, deer, bear, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, hawks and bald eagles. There are 78 peaks over 12,000 feet above sea level in the park. Grand Lake borders the park's western entrance. The park is Colorado's most visited and best loved attraction.

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