Ridgway, Montrose, Telluride, Ouray and Delta, CO Real Estate & Property
The Communities of southwestern Colorado, including the cities and towns of Ridgway, Telluride, Montrose, Ouray and Delta, are located in valleys, surrounded by the towering and rugged San Juan Mountains, including Mt. Sneffels and the Cimarron Mountain ranges, part of the Rocky Mountain Range.
The San Juans are highly mineralized and these towns were originally developed for mining operations. Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead and Zinc were mined extensively in this area.
Since most of the mining has ceased, many of the railroads used to ship supplies to the mines, and move mined goods out of the area, have since been decommissioned. The areas resorted to ranching and tourism to keep their economies going.
The Uncompahgre River flows northwest and passes through the communities of Ouray, Ridgway, Montrose and Olathe. It empties into the Gunnison River in Delta, at Confluence Park. The river originates in the northwestern portion of the San Juan Mountains, in Uncompahgre National Forest. Two dams exist on the Uncompahgre River, a small dam in Uncompahgre Gorge, and in Ridgway where it forms the five-mile long, Ridgway Reservoir, also the location of Ridgway State Park.
The Uncompahgre River is used for irrigating the Uncompahgre Valley, where Montrose is located. Water from the Gunnison River is also diverted to the Uncompahgre River via the Gunnison Tunnel in Montrose for irrigation purposes.
In the summer four-wheel drive “jeeping” is popular in the area, on the old roads that linked the mining camps. Popular local 4×4 jeep trails include Black Bear, Engineer, Cinnamon and Imogene Passes. While all mountain passes are dangerous, Black Bear pass is considered the most dangerous mountain pass in Colorado and can only be driven one-way due to perilous drop-offs.
Hiking, peak-bagging, mountain trekking, fly fishing, biking, rock climbing and hot springs soaking are other of the many activities one can participate in during the warmer months. There are also many golf communities providing world-class golf with unmatched views.
Telluride has the only developed downhill ski resort of the area with more than 120 ski runs and some of the most extreme terrain in the U.S. Ouray boasts an ice climbing park in the Uncompahgre Gorge and the annual Ouray Ice Climbing Festival each January. There are also many natural ice flows in the area, providing single and multi-pitch ice climbs. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and more will keep one’s winter schedule full.
Numerous National Forests and Parks are located within an hours drive of any of these communities including: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument, San Juan National Forest and the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Each of the communities of the western slope offers different amenities, whether they are winter sports, summer activities, temperatures and altitude, differing home designs and views. If you are interested in Ridgway, Telluride, Montrose, Ouray or Delta, CO real estate or property please contact San Juan Realty or click on the link below to research an area in more detail.
• Ridgway Real Estate
• Telluride Real Estate
• Montrose Property
• Ouray Real Estate
• Delta Real Estate
