Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
I-70 to Mesa

The drive through Plateau Creek Canyon was an unexpected but pleasant treat. A long, winding, slowly rising drive through narrow canyons of sheer sandstone walls... I loved it. There were also some nice spots along the way when the canyon widened out a bit, the creek spread out and some gorgeus riparian areas were allowed to exist.

In some areas through the bottom of the canyon there are a few oil or gas wells with pumps running. There are also some scars on the land where pipelines run. But for the majority of this part of the drive, you see nothing but high-rising stone walls in all directions. Eventually though, the stone walls get lower as you drive and you come to the area where the road from De Beque comes in from the north and right after that the road to Collbran turns off to the east. It's about here that I realized I was up on top of some level of the mesa. Not far from that spot I came into the town of Mesa.

Still near the beginning of the canyon

I was coming in early in the morning

Lots and lots of sandstone layers in the canyon walls

There's some good ranchland in the bottom of the canyon

Goblins and gargoyles line the route

More gargoyles & goblins at the intersection with the road to De Beque