unaweep-tabeguache scenic byway

It says something about people when a winery gets top billing over what must be one of the most stunning drives in the US. We are staying in Ouray, and made plans for a long day to incorporate this route plus the Colorado National Monument before returning to Ouray on route 50/550.First, have a full tank and lots of water.The first part of the drive to Ridgeway and Norwood were pleasant but not spectacular. When one turns onto route 141 the landscape becomes dramatic. We have never seen as many colours and formations in such a short space of time - and we have been to both rims of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Monument Valley. It was a partly cloudy day which meant that the colour of the rocks kept changing. There are a couple of information points for stop off and a picnic stop just outside Gateway, but as it s such a little used road, photo opportunities abound just by slowing on a straight stretch of road.It is not a short drive and is only really feasible if you are staying in places such as Ouray, Telluride, Grand Junction, or along the US 50/550 route and do a circular tour.

Be sure to make your tank is full of gas when you take this trip and you have a bottle of water. PLan on stopping lots to look and take pictures. Watch for the hanging ditch off the side of the cliff.

I recently traveled along the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway with takes one from Hwy50 at Whitewater to Ridway Colorado.Watch for a number of interpretive pull outs to learn about the Unaweep Seep, Driggs Mansion or the amazing Hanging Flume.A stop in at the Gateway Car Museum for a tour and some lunch is always a treat.This Byway moves through some fascinating rock formations carved out by time. It's a long trip, but a day trip. Take water and your camera.

When traveling by car between Grand Junction, CO and Telluride, CO, a pleasant alternative to Hwy 50 is the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway (Hwy 141, then Hwy 145). We think driving it from north to south is more scenic than south to north. Locals says this is faster than going through Delta and Montrose, but we think it's about the same. To begin, turn off Hwy 50 onto Hwy 141 just south of Grand Junction, near Whitewater. Gateway is a good place to stop for a break, and it has an Auto Museum that gets rave reviews. Along the route, where it looks like you could drive over the edge and into the Dolores River below (-:, watch for the historic site marker on the "hanging flumes". It's pretty interesting. We've never stopped in Naturita, but Norwood is a great little town with 2 restaurants (Happy Belly Deli and West End Pizzaria) that are real gems. Continue down "Norwood Hill" and along the lovely San Miguel River toward the Placerville turnoff. Here you can turn off towards Telluride or head up towards Ridgway. The route towards Ridgway and up to Montrose is also very beautiful.