Grand Mesa, CO - Sep 2007

While camping at Vega Lake State Park, we took several drives around the Grand Mesa area and it was stunning. The fall colors were emerging and the scenery was absolutely amazing! I took so many pictures and just couldn't reduce them to the best 5 or 6, so will just post my favorites -- without much comment. Enjoy!


At the top of the mesa sits a place called Land's End. A 12 mile bumpy, dirt road leads to a Visitor's Center and an overlook that is awesome. This photo shows "the other way" to get to/from Land's End -- an 18 mile dirt road filled with twists, turn and switchbacks. There was a sign warning not to attempt this road in vehicles longer than 25'.









Me being brave at the edge of Land's End. The view goes for miles and somewhere out there is the city of Grand Junction.










The drive up to Grand Mesa has a spot called Skyway Point -- what a view!












Another look from Skyway Point -- this time looking at Mesa Lake -- just one of hundreds of small lakes that dot this area.












And one more look at the colorful, aspen-covered mountainside as seen from Skyway Point.











Just a colorful lichen-covered rock and tree combination.









More aspens with a distant view out to Grand Junction.










And one more view of a lovely lake on the mesa.












At 9,500' is Bonham Lake. A no frills national forest campground is reached via a very rutted dirt path, but what a spot to relax.











This golden grove of aspens was a spectacular display at Bonham Lake.












A fisherman enjoying the tranquil setting on Sunset lake.












Jumbo Lake -- there is a national forest campground here WITH electric hookups. I took this picture from the best site there. The campground was closing for the season, but we'll come back here to camp someday.












My favorite pic -- this is Sunset Lake.