Enjoying some quality family time on the paddleboats in Keystone.
Crested Butte
Chase rainbows (plus browns, brooks and cutthroats)
As an observant fl y fi sherman once noticed, trout live in beautiful places. One of Colorado’s piscine Edens is south of Crested Butte. The Gunnison River’s subsurface residents include rainbows, brooks, browns and cut- throats. Experienced anglers don waders, tie on a fl y and cast lines toward lunkers. For neophytes, the best way to sample the sport is to hire a guide from a local outfi tter such as Dragonfl y Anglers (800-491-3079, dragonfl y
anglers.com). Not only do they provide equipment, lunch and instruction, but they’ll also help unsnag hooks from streamside vegetation.
Float the Taylor River Most streams rage with runoff, than taper down as
snow disappears from the mountains. Because a dam con- trols fl ows on the Taylor River southeast of Crested Butte, the river offers decent rafting well into the season. “We’re at the top, so all the water comes through here,”
explains John “Vito” Covelli of Three Rivers Resort (888- 761-3474,
3riversresort.com). “It doesn’t get diverted until it goes below us.” The upper Taylor is Class III with rapids bearing ambi-
tious monikers such as Toilet Bowl and Tombstone. The lower river is more family friendly.
28 EnCompass May/June 2013
Climb Guide’s Ridge Serious rock climbers don’t like long hikes. That’s
why in Europe, many popular climbs begin from the top of chairlifts. A similar experience awaits on Crested Butte’s Guide’s Ridge. “You don’t get this kind of lift service to amazing
Class IV rock climbing anywhere else in the U.S.,” boasts Tiffanie Simpson of Crested Butte Mountain Guides (970-349-5430,
crestedbutteguides.com). From the top of the Silver Queen chair, the route ascends an axe- edged arête to the summit. There’s plenty of exposure, but guides keep participants roped at all times. Then it’s back to the lift for the ride down.
Keystone
Pedal a paddleboat It’s easy to miss Keystone Lake. This fi ve-acre pond
lies hidden behind the hotels and condos bordering U.S. 6. For those who fi nd it, Adventure Center at Lakeside Village (800-354-4386,
keystoneresort.com) rents family-fun paddleboats. “The boats can fi t four people,” explains employee
Tiffany Novak. “Two in front pedal and two in back hang out and feed the ducks.” Powering paddleboats is like riding a bike. While the effort required is not strenuous, pedal pushers can still
AAA.com
© Bob Winsett / Vail Resorts
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