Uncompahgre RiverWay Trail (Montrose Section):
Colorado
Trail Map
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Description:
The long range plan for the Uncompahgre RiverWay Trail is to connect Montrose to the town of Ouray, 37 miles south at the base of the San Juan Mountains and to Delta, 20 miles to the north near Grand Mesa. Currently, over 16 miles of the trail have been completed, with major sections starting in Montrose and Ridgway.
The northern (Montrose) section of the trail starts in Baldridge Regional Park at the Uncompahgre River Bridge. It skirts the skate park and passes the tennis courts at Holly Park before connecting to the abandoned Denver Rio Grande Western rail line behind the Russell Stover candy factory on Rio Grande Avenue. From there the trail utilizes the old rail line as it heads south towards Ridgway. The concrete section of the trail crosses the Uncompahgre River where an occasional eagle may be seen fishing. After paralleling the river for about a mile, the trail leaves the river and continues south, traversing the fields and ranchland of the Uncompahgre River valley. At mile 2.7, the trail passes behind the Ute Indian Museum and Montrose Visitors Center. At mile 3.4 the trail surface changes from concrete to crushed gravel and continues for another 2.8 miles near the frontage road of U.S. highway 550 before ending abruptly at Trout Road. This area of the trail provides spectacular vistas of the San Juan Mountains to the south, the Uncompahgre Plateau to the west, Grand Mesa to the north, and the Cimarron ridge and the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the east.
Although the trail is not complete south of Trout Road, a gravel frontage road continues to the town of Colona, a distance of about five miles. The frontage road is suitable and safe for running, walking or mountain biking. From Colona to the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk entrance to Ridgway State Park the shoulder of U.S. 550 is useable, but somewhat dangerous due to traffic. This section is about 3.5 miles long.
See the separate description at this web site for details on the Ridgway to Ridgway State Park section of the trail.
There are connecting trails in Baldridge Park and Cerise Park which go to the top of Sunset Mesa for excellent views of the surrounding area. Another section of trail is under construction paralleling the river to connect to Main Street, just west of downtown Montrose. Completion of that section is expected by late 2005. Other sections of trails to the north end of Montrose are in the planning stage, as are many connections to in-town trails and recreation paths.
Food: There is no food available along the trail, but water is available at Baldridge Park. Numerous restaurants and super markets are located on Townsend Avenue a few blocks east of the start of the trail.
Rest Rooms: Public rest rooms are available at Baldridge Park and at the Ute Indian museum (the museum is closed on Mondays).
Rentals and Service: Bicycle rentals and service are available at Zippy Who-Doo Extremes, 223 N 1st, Montrose. Sales and service are also available at Cascade Bicycles, 21 N Cascade Avenue or Jeans Westerner, 147 N. Townsend Ave. in Montrose.
Nearby Activities: Tabeguache Trail. A 142 mile long mountain bike trail between Montrose and Grand Junction, CO. The trail ranges from easy to very difficult. It can be accessed at a number of points between the two cities. More information on the trail can be obtained from the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA). Go to http://www.single-serving.com/trail/epic/tabeguache.php for trail details. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is located 10 miles east of Montrose.
For More Information: Contact Dennis Erickson, Parks Planner/Project Manager, City of Montrose, P.O. Box 790, Montrose, CO 81402. Phone: 970/240-1481 or email derickson@ci.montrose.co.us.
Trail Map: Go to www.cityofmontrose.org/images/stories/Departments/Parks/PDFs/parks_and_trails-uncriverway.pdf
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Parking & Trail Access:
From downtown Montrose, take Townsend Avenue (US 550) south to the stoplight at E. Oak Grove Road (just past Russell Stover's), turn right and go three short blocks to Rio Grande Avenue. There is a small parking area with trail access at that intersection (mile .8 of the trail), or you can turn right on Rio Grande and go two long blocks to Apollo Road, turn left and go into Baldridge Park to access the large parking lot, rest rooms and picnic facilities.
Two other small parking lots are available. Continue south on US 550. Just after crossing the river, you come to Chipeta Road and the Ute Indian Museum. There is a parking lot at the museum, and the trail runs behind the museum. You can also continue back north on Chipeta Road for about ½ mile to where it crosses the trail. There is a tiny parking lot at the trail crossing.
Please note that there are no signs specifically identifying the trail as the Uncompahgre RiverWay Trail. Look for the standard "bike route" signs which are present at all trail crossings. Directional signs for the trail are pending.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
None. The gravel section of the trail can be muddy during the spring thaw, but it is always open. The parks department promptly plows the concrete section after all snowfalls in the winter.
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