When the mercury tickles the triple digits this summer in the Grand Valley, you don’t need to book a flight or plan a weekend road trip to get away from the oven-like conditions.

In about an hour, you can be on top Grand Mesa fishing, hiking, biking, boating, camping, stargazing or just sightseeing from your car with the windows down. The air up there is consistently 10 to 20 degrees cooler.

The mesa rises more than a mile above the valley floor and is the largest flattop mountain in the world. You can get a good introduction to the forest via the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, a winding 63-mile route that runs between Interstate 70 and Cedaredge. Allow yourself about two hours to navigate the entire byway.

Those wanting to take a different and more adventurous route up the mesa should try Lands’ End Road, which is accessible via U.S. Highway 50 south of Grand Junction. The twisting gravel road goes up the western flank of the mesa.

There are roughly 300 lakes available for fishing. Boats are allowed at many, but call the U.S. Forest Service ahead of time or check the signs to be sure.

Those who want to stretch their legs will find dozens of hiking trails. One of the most scenic and challenging is the Crag Crest National Recreation Trail, a 10-mile loop that at its highest point is above 11,000 feet. The trail can be reached from two trailheads, one near the Grand Mesa Visitor Center on top of the mesa just east of Colorado Highway 65 near Eggleston Lake, and another at a pullout across the highway from the Island Lake overlook.

Those looking for both a physical and mental workout can take advantage of interpretive walks and talks, which are given every weekend on the mesa starting in the middle of June and ending on Labor Day weekend. Call the Visitor Center at 856-4153 for more information.

Powderhorn Ski Resort isn’t just a winter destination. The resort boasts mountain biking, music, food and concerts throughout the summer. Call 268-5700 or log onto www.powderhorn.com for more information.

There are numerous other lodges and resorts on the mesa, as well, for those who want to stay a night or a week.

If you want a place to stay that’s a little more rustic, there are plenty of camp sites available. Many are first-come, first-served, but others take reservations. For information, call the Grand Valley Ranger District at 242-8211 or visit www.forestcamping.com/dow/rockymtn/gmsa.htm for a description of each campground.

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E-mail Mike Wiggins at mwiggins@gjds.com.

tasty tip
The owners are new and the name has changed, but the menu of drive-in favorites remains intact.
For 45 years, visitors have flocked to Branson’s Drive-In in Collbran after a day of fishing, hiking or sightseeing on Grand Mesa to enjoy a grilled burger, old-fashioned, soft-serve ice cream or most any treat you’d expect to find at a side-of-the-road stand.
The restaurant is now called the Drive-In. New owners Paula and Kenny Lynn purchased it last May from Susan Branson. Branson’s in-laws, Hugh and Rose, opened the place in the early 1960s.
“We still have basically the same menu,” Paula Lynn said.
There are some changes, though. The Drive-In now serves breakfast and added Chinese food to the burger-and-shakes fare. The restaurant was remodeled and expanded.
The Drive-In, 57482 Colorado Highway 330, is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paula Lynn said she and her husband are considering extending their hours in the summer.
For information, call 970-487-3318.
— Mike Wiggins