Mountain & Trail News

    “September Splendor in the Rockies” Showcases Colorful Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

    Fall colors surrounding Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte

    Colorado’s largest aspen grove turning brilliant shades of color, Indian summer temperatures and a wide range of events and outdoor recreation combine to make “September Splendor in the Rockies” a month not to miss in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo. September is an ideal time for people who love the sights, smells, sounds and feel of fall.

    A few highlights include the Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-off, Vinotok fall harvest festival, Crested Butte Film Festival, running and biking events, art walks, farmers’ markets, and stargazing at the Gunnison Valley Observatory.  For more information about each event, visit www.SeptemberSplendor.com or call (877) 351-8724.  Ideas for great fall drives are posted on www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/fall-drives.

    September Splendor in the Rockies Events

    LABOR DAY WEEKEND, September 1 – 3
    28 – Sept. 11 – Sean Cross Exhibit, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
    31 – Sept. 3 – Crested Butte Sidewalk Sales, Downtown Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte
    31 & Sept. 1 – Gunnison Valley Observatory Open for Public Viewing, Gunnison
    1  – Gunnison Farmers’ Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
    1 – 2 – The People’s Fair (Arts, Crafts & More), Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
    1 – 3 – Gunnison Sidewalk Sales, Downtown Gunnison
    2 – Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & Second Street
    2 – West Elk Bicycle Classic (100- & 130-mile gran fondo options), Gunnison to Crested Butte via West Elk Loop Scenic & Historic Byway
    2 – “heART + LAND” Creating Transformative Artworks in the Landscape Workshop with Ivy Walker, Art Studio of the Center for the Arts, Crested Butte
    2 – Crested Butte Mountain Runners Trail/Fun Run – Reno, Flag, Bear & Deadman Gulch or Reno Divide

    WEEK 1, September 4 – 9
    4 – Tour de Forks Presents “Creative & Sustainable Living,” a Gourmet Dining Event Benefitting Crested Butte Center for the Arts, Private Home
    6 – Growler Trail Run Series, Signal Peak, Gunnison
    6 – Summer Speaker Series, Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
    7 – First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison
    7, 8 – Gunnison Valley Observatory Open for Public Viewing, Gunnison
    7 – 8 – Superfly Fishing Tournament by Gunnison Trout Unlimited, Gunnison Area
    8 – Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, Mt. Crested Butte
    8 – 9 – 36th Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte to Aspen
    9 – Gunnison Home Tour Benefitting the Gunnison Arts Center
    9 – Tour de Forks Presents “Exclusive Entry,” a Gourmet Dining Event Benefitting Crested Butte Center for the Arts, Soupcon
    9 – 10 – Wooden Nickel Fall Golf Classic, Club at Crested Butte

    WEEK 2, September 10 – 16
    9 – 10 – Wooden Nickel Fall Golf Classic, Club at Crested Butte
    13 – Historic Pub Crawl Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
    13 – Growler Mountain Bike Series, Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area, Gunnison
    13 – 16 – “The Dixie Swim Club” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret
    14, 15 – Gunnison Valley Observatory Open for Public Viewing, Gunnison
    15 – Gunnison Farmers’ Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
    15 – Alpine Odyssey 100 Bike Race (Leadville 100 Qualifier for 2013), Crested Butte area
    16 – Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & Second Street

    WEEK 3, September 17 – 23
    16 – 22 – Vinotok Fall Harvest Festival, Crested Butte
    19 – Matchstick Productions Presents Latest Ski Movie, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
    20 – Summer Speaker Series Finale, Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
    20 – 22 – “The Dixie Swim Club” Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret
    22 – Gunnison Farmers’ Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
    22 – Crested Butte Mountain Runners Trail/Fun Run – Camp 4 Coffee Cart to Cart
    23 – Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & Second Street

    WEEK 4, September 24 – 30
    27 – What Glitters is Gold: Fall Photography Workshop with Raynor Czerwinski, Art Studio    of the Center for the Arts, Crested Butte
    27 – ArtWalk Evening, Studios & Galleries in Downtown Crested Butte
    27 – Crested Butte Mountain Runners Trail/Fun Run – Woods Walk, Crested Butte
    27 – 30 – Crested Butte Film Festival, Crested Butte
    29 – Big Saturday – Pummeler’s Butt Trail Run & Growler Series Mountain Bike Finals,    Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area, Gunnison
    29 – Gunnison Farmers’ Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
    30 – Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & Second Street

    Fall Vacation Deals 

    Located at the confluence of the beautiful East and Taylor Rivers where the Gunnison River forms in Almont, Almont Resort and onsite outfitter Almont Anglers are teaming up to offer Fall Fishing & Cabin Stay packages. Two nights in a basic cabin and a half-day walk/wade fishing trip on the East or Gunnison Rivers costs $231 per person (full-day option is $262 per person). If you prefer to float while you fish, the cost is $251 per person for half-day and $280 for a full day.  This offer is based on two people and includes tax but does not include guide gratuity.  Available now through Sept. 30, 2012. Call (970) 641-4009 and visitwww.almontresort.com.

    In Crested Butte, enjoy being within steps of the historic business district and Save 10% This Fall when staying three nights or more at Cristiana Guesthaus from Sept. 3 through Oct. 6, 2012. The offer includes an upgraded European-style continental breakfast. This deal is based on space availability and does not include tax. Visit www.CristianaGuesthaus.com or call (970) 349-5326.

    Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
    To find out more about other area events or to book personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association’s toll-free line, (800) 814-8893, or visitwww.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/packages.  Find the Tourism Association on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta.

    Air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines year-round and American Airlines in the winter.

    Image courtesy Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association

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