Resolution No. 2019-049 a RESOLUTION OF

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Resolution No. 2019-049 a RESOLUTION OF Resolution No. 2019-049 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OURAY COUNTY, COLORADO RE: Approving and Adopting the 2020 Multi-Jurisdictional, Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners by Resolution No. 2008-060 (“Exhibit B”) adopted a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (“Plan”) (“Exhibit A”) in 2008 in accordance with the requirements of the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000; and WHEREAS, in order to maintain eligibility for emergency and disaster assistance funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), the Plan is required to be updated periodically to incorporate new FEMA guidance, and to update local information, resources and hazard mitigation plans; and WHEREAS, in 2017 county staff reconvened the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (“HMPC”) comprised of key stakeholders from Ouray County and the participating jurisdictions, including, the City of Ouray, the Town of Ridgway, and Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection District to review and update identified risks and vulnerabilities, and to develop mitigation plans to anticipate and mitigate these risks and vulnerabilities; and WHEREAS, funding for the 2020 Plan (“2020 Plan”) revisions and review process was shared with the State of Colorado providing a grant of $60,627.11, and the participating Jurisdictions using $15,156.79 in-kind and the County using $4,317.68 from the general fund; and WHEREAS, following the review and revision process by the HMPC on behalf of the County and participating jurisdictions, the 2020 Plan was vetted through a series of public hearings and committee meetings before its submittal to the Colorado Office of Emergency Management (“COEM”) and FMEA; and WHEREAS, following submittal to COEM and FEMA, each of those agencies reviewed the 2013 Plan and both agencies have approved the 2013 Plan; and WHEREAS, the 2020 Plan must now be approved and adopted by the County and participating jurisdictions so that the goals and objectives of the 2020 Plan can be pursued and accomplished; NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Ouray County, Colorado, that: 1. The 2020 Multi-Jurisdictional, Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby approved and County staff, elected and appointed officials are hereby directed to take necessary actions to implement the goals and objectives, to the extent that funding is available to carry out such goals and objectives. 2. County staff, elected and appointed officials are hereby authorized to implement the 2020 Plan in cooperation with the other participating jurisdictions, and to continue cooperative efforts toward a plan revision, as required by law, in five (5) years. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS ____ DAY OF DECEMBER, 2019. Voting for: Voting against: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OURAY COUNTY, COLORADO Attest: John E. Peters , Chair Ben Tisdel, Vice-Chair Michelle Nauer, Clerk and Recorder Don Batchelder, Commissioner By: Hannah Hollenbeck, Deputy Clerk of the Board Resolution 2019-049 Page 1 of 1 Ouray County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Comprehensive Update 2019 Prepared by Ouray County with professional planning assistance provided by CDR Maguire 2019 Ouray County Hazard Mitigation Plan – Table of Contents i Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... i List of Figures ................................................................................................................................iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iv 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Purpose .............................................................................................................................1 1.2. Background and Scope .......................................................................................................1 1.3. Plan Organization ..............................................................................................................2 2. Ouray County Community Profile ................................................................................................3 2.1. Geography and Climate ......................................................................................................3 2.1.1. Climate Change ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.2. History ...............................................................................................................................9 2.3. Population ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.4. Government .................................................................................................................... 11 2.5. Economy .......................................................................................................................... 11 2.6. Loghill Mesa Fire Protection District (FPD) ........................................................................ 12 2.7. Development Trends ........................................................................................................ 15 2.7.1. Jurisdictional Growth ............................................................................................................ 15 2.7.2. County Growth ...................................................................................................................... 16 3. Planning Process ....................................................................................................................... 18 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 18 3.2. Background on Hazard Mitigation Planning in Ouray County ............................................. 18 3.3. The Planning Process ....................................................................................................... 18 3.3.1. Phase I: Organize Resources ................................................................................................. 18 3.3.2. Phase II: Assess Risks ............................................................................................................. 32 3.3.3. Phase III: Develop the Mitigation Strategy ........................................................................... 33 3.3.4. Phase IV: Implement the Plan and Monitor Progress ........................................................... 33 4. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) ..................................................................... 35 4.1. Hazard Identification ........................................................................................................ 35 4.1.1. Disaster Declaration History.................................................................................................. 37 4.2. Hazard Ranking ................................................................................................................ 39 4.3. Building Inventory and Assets .......................................................................................... 39 4.4. Critical Facilities ............................................................................................................... 40 4.5. Hazard Profiles................................................................................................................. 41 4.5.1. Profile Methodology ............................................................................................................. 41 4.5.2. SHELDUS Results ................................................................................................................... 42 4.5.3. HIRA Summary ...................................................................................................................... 46 4.5.4. Avalanche .............................................................................................................................. 51 4.5.5. Dam Failure ........................................................................................................................... 59 4.5.6. Debris Flow ............................................................................................................................ 65 4.5.7. Drought ................................................................................................................................. 74 4.5.8. Earthquake ............................................................................................................................ 82 4.5.9. Extreme Temperatures ......................................................................................................... 92 4.5.10. Flooding .......................................................................................................................... 101 4.5.11. Landslide/Rockfall ........................................................................................................... 118 4.5.12. Lightning ......................................................................................................................... 128 2019 Ouray County Hazard Mitigation Plan – Table of Contents ii 4.5.13. Public Health
Recommended publications
  • Pleistocene Drainage Changes in Uncompahgre Plateau-Grand
    New Mexico Geological Society Downloaded from: http://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/32 Pleistocene drainage changes in Uncompahgre Plateau-Grand Valley region of western Colorado, including formation and abandonment of Unaweep Canyon: a hypothesis Scott Sinnock, 1981, pp. 127-136 in: Western Slope (Western Colorado), Epis, R. C.; Callender, J. F.; [eds.], New Mexico Geological Society 32nd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, 337 p. This is one of many related papers that were included in the 1981 NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebook. Annual NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebooks Every fall since 1950, the New Mexico Geological Society (NMGS) has held an annual Fall Field Conference that explores some region of New Mexico (or surrounding states). Always well attended, these conferences provide a guidebook to participants. Besides detailed road logs, the guidebooks contain many well written, edited, and peer-reviewed geoscience papers. These books have set the national standard for geologic guidebooks and are an essential geologic reference for anyone working in or around New Mexico. Free Downloads NMGS has decided to make peer-reviewed papers from our Fall Field Conference guidebooks available for free download. Non-members will have access to guidebook papers two years after publication. Members have access to all papers. This is in keeping with our mission of promoting interest, research, and cooperation regarding geology in New Mexico. However, guidebook sales represent a significant proportion of our operating budget. Therefore, only research papers are available for download. Road logs, mini-papers, maps, stratigraphic charts, and other selected content are available only in the printed guidebooks. Copyright Information Publications of the New Mexico Geological Society, printed and electronic, are protected by the copyright laws of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests REVISED DRAFT Forest Assessments: Watersheds, Water, and Soil Resources March 2018
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests REVISED DRAFT Forest Assessments: Watersheds, Water, and Soil Resources March 2018 Taylor River above Taylor Dam, Gunnison Ranger District In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
    [Show full text]
  • The Uncompahgre River Watershed in Ouray County the Basics & a Little Bit More
    The Uncompahgre River Watershed in Ouray County The Basics & A Little Bit More Compiled by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership UWP exists to help protect and improve the economic, natural, and scenic values of the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed. We work to inform and engage all stakeholders and solicit input from diverse interests to ensure collaborative restoration efforts in the watershed. From a Trickle to a Mighty Flow, Water from the San Juan Mountains wa•ter•shed: (noun) /‘wôdər SHed’/ an Heads toward the Pacific Ocean area that collects surface water from rain, snowmelt, and underlying groundwater, that flows to lower elevations. Watersheds can be defined at any scale from less than an acre to millions of square miles. Synonyms: drainage, catchment, basin. For eons, the Upper Uncompahgre Watershed has been a valuable becoming groundwater. Groundwater usually flows parallel to the resource for wildlife and people. Uncompahgre loosely translates to surface of the land, supporting springs, wetlands, and stream flows “the warm, red water” in the language of the Ute people, who were during late summer, fall, and winter. the early stewards of the river. In the last few centuries, explorers From the mountaintops to the confluence with the Gunnison River, and settlers developed the watershed’s assets. From booming mining the Uncompahgre River Watershed covers portions of six counties in days to quieter years after the silver crash and today when tourism is addition to Ouray County – over a 1,115-square-mile area – and is one of the area’s biggest draws, residents and visitors have used local part of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Heritage Assessment of the Uncompahgre River Basin
    The Uncompahgre River Basin A Natural Heritage Assessment Volume I Prepared for Valley Land Conservancy Montrose, Colorado March, 1999 By Peggy Lyon, Tom Stephens, Jeremy Siemers, Denise Culver, Phyllis Pineda, and Jennifer Zoerner Colorado Natural Heritage Program 254 General Services Building, CSU Ft. Collins, CO 80523 User’s Guide The Uncompahgre Basin Biological Assessment conducted by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program consists of two essentially distinct projects that are highly integrated with respect to methodology and fieldwork. This report reflects the separate nature of the projects by being organized in a two-volume set. Volume I presents all potential conservation sites that have been identified in the Uncompahgre Basin that support rare and imperiled plants, animals, and significant plant communities, including wetland and riparian areas. Volume II focuses exclusively on wetland and riparian areas. Volume II also presents “locally significant areas.” These are sites that are among the most important wetlands in the Uncompahgre Basin, but they are not unique from a national or statewide perspective, and therefore these sites did not receive a Biodiversity Rank. Additionally, Volume II presents an assessment of the wetland functions performed by each site that was surveyed. These functional assessments are intended to provide the user with a more complete picture of the value wetlands and riparian areas provide to Uncompahgre Basin residents. Both projects utilized the same Natural Heritage Methodology that is used throughout North America, and both searched for and assessed the plants, animals, and plant communities on the Colorado Natural Heritage Program’s List of rare and imperiled elements of biodiversity.
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Map of Colorado National Monument and Adjacent Areas, Mesa County, Colorado
    Geologic Map of Colorado National Monument and Adjacent Areas, Mesa County, Colorado By Robert B. Scott,1 Anne E. Harding,1 William C. Hood,2 Rex D. Cole,3 Richard F. Livaccari,3 James B. Johnson,3 Ralph R. Shroba,1 and Robert P. Dickerson 1 Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Colorado National Monument Assoc iation Pamphlet to accompany Geologic Investigations Series 1-2740 2001 1U .S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225 2515 Dove Court, Grand Junction, CO 81503 3Department of Physical and Envi ronmental Sciences, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, CO 81502 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey '"' ___ -·- . ' . -·~ ~-·-·- - .... ~ ~ . .,_ . .. _.. --- . - .... ~ . .. ... _... Contents ~~.fst~t:.~.r.~ ....::ff-1@;;.·~~~/'-~~tiL'·;-~:C' ... _;-;<f;:~~t~~~ .. !t.;.'!'J.~t:~..,.l'... ~..... -;;.~ ........."" ·. .. ·,.--..,¢ ~· :~ ~· ·'f,.v~~ ....... ,~:;~..,~---.A:~*' Description of map units................................................................ .......................................... .......... ...................................................... 1 Introdu ction ... ..... ... ... .. .. ... .. .. .... ........ ... ... ........ .... .... .. ............ ... .... ... .............. .. ... ..... .. .......... ..... ........... ... ..... ...... ... .. ... .... ... .... .... ............ 1 Surfi cial un its .. ... .. ........ ........... .... ....... ...... ........................ ... ... .... .. .. ........ .. .... .... .. ... ....... .. ... .... .. ...... .. .. ... .. ....... .....
    [Show full text]
  • Tectonic Evolution of Western Colorado and Eastern Utah D
    New Mexico Geological Society Downloaded from: http://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/32 Tectonic evolution of western Colorado and eastern Utah D. L. Baars and G. M. Stevenson, 1981, pp. 105-112 in: Western Slope (Western Colorado), Epis, R. C.; Callender, J. F.; [eds.], New Mexico Geological Society 32nd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, 337 p. This is one of many related papers that were included in the 1981 NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebook. Annual NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebooks Every fall since 1950, the New Mexico Geological Society (NMGS) has held an annual Fall Field Conference that explores some region of New Mexico (or surrounding states). Always well attended, these conferences provide a guidebook to participants. Besides detailed road logs, the guidebooks contain many well written, edited, and peer-reviewed geoscience papers. These books have set the national standard for geologic guidebooks and are an essential geologic reference for anyone working in or around New Mexico. Free Downloads NMGS has decided to make peer-reviewed papers from our Fall Field Conference guidebooks available for free download. Non-members will have access to guidebook papers two years after publication. Members have access to all papers. This is in keeping with our mission of promoting interest, research, and cooperation regarding geology in New Mexico. However, guidebook sales represent a significant proportion of our operating budget. Therefore, only research papers are available for download. Road logs, mini-papers, maps, stratigraphic charts, and other selected content are available only in the printed guidebooks. Copyright Information Publications of the New Mexico Geological Society, printed and electronic, are protected by the copyright laws of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology, Silviculture, and Management of the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Type in the Central and Southern Rocky Mountains
    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU Quinney Natural Resources Research Library, The Bark Beetles, Fuels, and Fire Bibliography S.J. and Jessie E. 1987 Ecology, Silviculture, and Management of the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Type in the Central and Southern Rocky Mountains Robert R. Alexander Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/barkbeetles Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Entomology Commons, Forest Biology Commons, Forest Management Commons, and the Wood Science and Pulp, Paper Technology Commons Recommended Citation Alexander, R. (1987). Ecology, silviculture, and management of the Engelmann spruce - subalpine fir type in the central and southern Rocky Mountains. USDA Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 659, 144 pp. This Full Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Quinney Natural Resources Research Library, S.J. and Jessie E. at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Bark Beetles, Fuels, and Fire Bibliography by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. United States Department of Agriculture Ecology, Silviculture, and Forest Management of the Engelmann Service Agriculture Spruce-Subalpine Fir Type in the Handbook No. 659 Central and Southern Rocky Mountains Robert R. Alexander Chief silviculturist Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station Ft. Collins, CO March 1987 Alexander, Robert R. Ecology, silviculture, and management of the Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir type in the central and southern Rocky Mountains. Agric. Handb. No. 659. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service; 1987. 144 p. Summarizes and consolidates ecological and silvicultural knowledge of spruce-fir forests.
    [Show full text]
  • UTE ROCK ART MAPS the Uncompahgre Plateau, of Western Colorado Is Rich in Game Animals and Plant Re- Sources. Aboriginal Occupat
    PAPERS XXIV Valcamonica Symposium 2011 UTE ROCK ART MAPS Carol Patterson* Abstract - Ute rock art maps Current investigations are underway of possible correlations between Ute Indian petroglyph panels and prehistoric trail networks thought to exist throughout the Uncompahgre Plateau in western Colorado, USA. Ute Indian tribal members be- lieve that certain “abstract” style petroglyphs represent “maps” of their ancestral trail systems and hunting strategies. The criteria of what constitutes a “map” are defined by Ute Elder Clifford Duncan: A composition made up of straight or wavy lines that may link or are accompanied by circles; A line with animals, animal tracks or humans walking on it, constitutes a “trail”. Circles connected by lines are diagrams for hunting strategies. The circle on one end represents the catchment area where game animals congregate. The line represents a ridgeline or trail animals use to move to higher elevations, represented by another circle. Preliminary analysis of several such rock art panels in the project area show possible cogni- tive correlations between certain petroglyph figures and existing geographic features on the surrounding landscape. This paper illustrates only 3 or 5 so called “map” sites under investigation. Riassunto - Le mappe nell’arte rupestre degli Ute Attualmente sono in corso delle ricerche sulle eventuali correlazioni fra i pannelli incisi dagli indiani Ute e i tracciati dei sentieri preistorici dell’altopiano di Uncompahgre, nel Colorado occidentale (Stati Uniti). Le tribù indiane Ute pensano che alcuni petroglifi in stile astratto rappresentino delle mappe della rete dei sentieri dei loro antenati e le loro strategie di caccia. I criteri di ciò che costituisce una “mappa” sono definiti da Clifford Duncan, un anziano Ute: una composizione di linee diritte o ondulate che collegano o sono accompagnate da cerchi; una linea con animali, impronte di animali o esseri umani che camminano può essere interpretato come “sentiero”; i cerchi collegati da linee sono leggibili come diagrammi di strategie di caccia.
    [Show full text]
  • Ground Water of the Uncompahgre Valley Montrose County, Colorado
    Scholars' Mine Masters Theses Student Theses and Dissertations 1971 Ground water of the Uncompahgre Valley Montrose County, Colorado Ted William Craig Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses Part of the Geology Commons Department: Recommended Citation Craig, Ted William, "Ground water of the Uncompahgre Valley Montrose County, Colorado" (1971). Masters Theses. 5121. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/5121 This thesis is brought to you by Scholars' Mine, a service of the Missouri S&T Library and Learning Resources. This work is protected by U. S. Copyright Law. Unauthorized use including reproduction for redistribution requires the permission of the copyright holder. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GROffi'ill HATER 01<, THE UNCmJP AHGRE Vlll.LEY HONTRO.SE COUNTY, COLOP..ADO BY TED vJILLIJ\M CRAIG, 1947- A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ROLLA In Partial FulfiJJ_ment of the Requirements for the Degree NASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY Approved by ii ABSTRACT Data from water quality tests of 50 wells and from general well information of 309 wells registered with the Colorado Division of Water Resources are presented for the area of Montrose County, Colorado, drained by the Uncompahgre River. This information, along with other pertinent information such as water laws and costs, is evaluated to determine the feasibility of increasing the use of ground water in the area. The drainage basin of the Uncompahgre River within the Montrose area bas three main geologic structures: the Uncompahgre uplift, the Montrose syncline, and the Gunnison uplift. All formations exposed in the area are Mesozoic in age.
    [Show full text]
  • Uncompahgre Plateau Collaborative Restoration Project Proposed Treatment – Page 1 of 4 1
    Uncompahgre Plateau Collaborative Restoration Project Proposed Treatment – Page 1 of 4 1. Proposed Treatment The Forest Service and partners for the “Uncompahgre Plateau Collaborative Restoration Project” intend to enhance the resiliency, diversity, and productivity of a priority landscape. The Plateau is located within five counties on the Western Slope of Colorado and includes key watersheds that feed the Colorado River (see attached vicinity map). The expansion and application of a science-based ecosystem restoration project is vital to forest health and the communities of western Colorado. “Relationship building” on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) has yielded many acres of NEPA-ready projects, and we are now ready to take action. This “Uncompahgre Plateau Collaborative Restoration Project” is cradled in science, creates jobs while supporting local industry; reduces fuels and ultimately restores a landscape that will support large-scale beneficial fire. We will apply adaptive management to guide our actions and monitor our efforts. We intend to reduce forest management expenditures, including wildfire suppression costs, support local industry, and engage new economic opportunities. This project will afford active management of forests and rangelands, while creating greater resiliency to natural and man-caused disturbances with an eye towards warmer and drier climatic conditions predicted in the future. This Uncompahgre Plateau Collaborative Restoration Project proposes ten years of projects, spanning 572,000 acres of NFS lands within a 1.0 million acre landscape. Active restoration projects on 160,000 acres of NFS lands, including: prescribed burns, mechanical treatments, timber harvests, invasive species treatments, native plant establishment, trail and road relocations to reduce sediment, riparian restoration, and improvements for Colorado River cutthroat trout.
    [Show full text]
  • XXXXX Ranger District
    Ouray Ranger District ““CCrroowwnn JJeewweell ooff tthhee SSaann JJuuaann MMoouunnttaaiinnss”” Ouray Ranger District Landbase Information: The GMUG National Forest is comprised of 3,161,912 acres of National Forest System lands. Of these lands, the Ouray Ranger District manages over 450,000 acres. The District encompasses lands within the following Counties: Montrose, Ouray, Mesa, Delta and Hinsdale. Most of our work is with Ouray Montrose, and San Miguel Counties. We support the cities of Montrose, Ridgway, and Ouray. The Ranger District Office is located in the town of Montrose, Colorado at 2505 S. Townsend and we are collated with the BLM Montrose Field Station. We share office space, personnel, and coordinate on Other facilities that the Ranger District supports are several administrative sites including Silesca, 25 Mesa and Jackson Guard Station soon to be come part of a Cabin Rental Program. Noteworthy Facts and Accomplishments about the Ouray Ranger District and its personnel: Description - The Ouray District includes portions of the Uncompahgre Plateau and the San Juan Mountains. The Uncompahgre Plateau rises to 10,000 feet and water draining from the top has cut gorges and canyons along the sides of the plateau. Two of these drainages, the Roubideau and Tabeguache, are managed as wilderness, with no mechanized use. The Roubideau is located on the Ouray District. The Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway follows the Dolores River Canyon on the west side of the Uncompahgre Plateau. The San Juan Mountain Range has four peaks over 14,000 feet and another 100 peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation. It includes the Uncompahgre, Mount Sneffels, and Lizard Head Wilderness Areas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Colorado Plateau - Part 2
    Redtail Rider RIDING AMERICA’S TREASURES™ The Colorado Plateau - Part 2 Monument Canyon, Colorado National Monument RIDING AMERICA’S TREASURES ™ The Colorado Plateau - Part 2 RATING: - MILES: 600 Colorado National Monument, the Black Canyon, and the Colorado Mining Belt TIME: 2 days It is a beautifully clear day with dark blue skies as the sun rises above the horizon and we begin the next stage of our journey through the incomparable Comfort Inn Colorado National Monument which abuts the southern border of Grand 400 Jurassic Ave Junction. Riding south on CO-340 we cross the Colorado River and through Fruita, CO 81521 the monument’s West Entrance to begin the twisty ride up onto the www.choicehotels.com Uncompahgre Plateau that towers over 2,000 feet above the valley floor. There is very little traffic as we wend our way up the beautifully engineered road with spectacular views, through a couple of tunnels, and finally reaching the top of the mesa and the visitor’s center. Designated as a national monument in 1911 the park preserves spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone and granite by eons of relentless erosion carving fascinating rock formations and sheer-walled red rock monoliths and buttes. The 23 mile Rim Rock Drive navigates the length of the monument Grand Mesa The hotel is near the Colorado River a few miles from the north entrance to Colorado National Monument. The rooms were comfortable and we enjoyed a pleasant Colorado National Monument continental breakfast in the morning. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offering breathtakingly vast plateau Hermit’s Rest -and-canyon panoramic views.
    [Show full text]