Fall on Grand Mesa, CO: September 2005 (15 minutes from home)

GRAND MESA & THE PLATEAU VALLEY

Grand Mesa " the alpine oasis in the sapphire sky" is considered to be the world's largest flat-top plateau with a rising route of 63 miles and over 300 lakes. It contains a 360 singular degree of alpine and evergreen forest which faces the San Juan Mountain ranges 90 miles to the south , La Sal Mountain range to the West ,the Battlements to the east, while Lands Ends gazes down into the Grand Valley and its Book Cliff Mountains as well as the Redlands National Monument. Grand Mesa rises from sea level to 11,000 ft. Indigenous people were the Ute indians. Followed by settlers / homesteader mainly from the British Isles (descendants that are English, Welsh, Scottish) amongst a few European descedants. Most common flow currently comes from residence finding peace like myself are from California or ranch hands coming up from Mexico. I've probably met more Californians than native Colorado individuals, ok maybe not but its damn close.

Wild life consist of Mountain Lions, deer, elk, moose (introduced to the area 5 plus years ago), coyotes, red foxes, muskrats, porcupines , skunks and bald eagles thrive here. Naturally many other animals exist, I have heard of black bears in the area but have yet to see them. Most commonly seen animals are by far are the deers which seem to graze in every ranch or meadow.

Alone within steps from our front door we have a family of deer that run over 20 heads. I see them on a daily basis in addition to coyotes, skunks, rabbits with cotton tails, egrets, bald eagles, bluebirds, chickadees, robins, little tiny mice that attempt to find a home in our house despite the fact we have 4 cats and one dog. Oh and we have two horses that roam the property, they are not ours but we sort of share land with another person, basically we have an access road while his property surrounds us. The brown horses name is Horsie (not really, but thats the name I gave him), he is sweet. His friend is a female palameno is very regal and feminine is just his friend. I haven't given her a name yet because she is rather new here and a bit shy. I call my home Wild America. We lack t.v. but have plenty of entertainment outdoors and indoors. lol.

The Valley to which I live in is one of the directest routes to Grand Mesa from the Grand Valley of Grand Junction, CO. The area is called Plateau Valley which is tucked away between canyons and has the most spectacular view of the Mesa. The area is also home to Powderhorn Ski resort. Powderhorn is roughly at 7,500 to 8,000 ft above sea level while Mesa Lakes (resteraunt, hiking, snowmobiling, cross country ski'ing and mountain biking for activities) is a wee bit over 9,400 ft above sea level. The main creeks that run throught the Valley are Cottonwood Creek and Plateau Valley both merge above our house and below our house. There are also several gulches and ravines that merge into both these creeks, most of being run off from Grand Mesa. Plateau creek eventually meanders through the canyon alongside HWY 65 merging to HWY 70 were it flows into the Colorado river. From there the Gunnison River eventually comes around the Mesa from the southside of the Mesa and will also flow into the Colorado. Then the Colorado will make its way South past Hoover dam and into the ocean.

All seasons here are amazing however the most awe inspiring time of year is when fall takes over the mountains side beaming bright yellows and orange's from the Aspen with spots of dark evergreen / grey from Engleman Spruce , sub alpine fir ,bright reds from oak brush becoming dorment with soft yellows from the cottonwoods.

Most of these photo's are during the summer to fall changing. These are photo's from late September.

Grand Mesa and even better the entire state of Colorado is highly known for its Gas and shale extractions. Gas wells flood the area were companies like Ecana and Haliburton thrive amongst others. Small towns will boom with business but become vulnerable when the gas companies pull out. Many returning to ghost towns. Collbran just 7 miles to the east of us is such a town that is highly dependant to the gas companies, but is supplemented by cattle ranchers year round and a burst of visitors during hunting season which runs (dependant on animal and devise used for hunting) May through October. September and October being the largest flow of hunters in the Valley. Hunters come from all over the US. Many from the East Coast. It's pure sport as many states will not take out of state kills so the animals will either be given away, taken to a locker plant that is FDA approved to be shipped or who knows what happens. I'm still mystifyed on the logic of this. But people will spend thousands of dollar for these adventures. Out of state licenses run near a thousand, most people will drive their home on wheels here costing another thousand plus, the equipment alone runs in the tens if not hundreds of thousands and lastly they stay for weeks if not months on end. It's pure sport. However it bring revnue directly into the Valley and it generally stays in the Valley.

Plateau Valley is primarily made of sandstone that has been carved by the river of Plateau Vally and Cottonwood creek. Rockslides are common where huge boulders desire to land on the highway or in the middle of ranches. These hills and mountains are amazing to see, they have such personality. Photo's of some of the mountains near our house or even along side of HWy 70 can be found in the winter 2005 /06 photos.

Here is one of the many lakes on Grand Mesa. This is also one of the man made lakes that hold water for the rest of the valley. Marks great grandfather helped make many of these lakes on the mesa for water storage / reservoir. Despite the look of the Mesa much of the land below it is considered desert, even where we live. Except where we live it by no means looks like Nevada nor Arizona. But Grand Junction and De Becque definetly has those characteristics in addition struggle with water. Marks father calls the people whom live out in some area's as "the tank people". lol. Reason being is that they have these old trucks that have a huge water tank on the back. These land owners have to import their water to their property. Good thing is you lack neighbors, but you need to seek water out elsewhere. Whats even more amusing is Mark is about to launch high speed internet into the Valley and some of these "tank people" will have high speed internet yet no water. Talk about priorities, only in the 21st century. lmao

This lake is not far from Mesa Lakes resteraunt, its along an extensive trail system wandering along the Grand Mesa to hidden lakes, historical hunting lodges, meadows and outdoor sports.