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West Elk Loop Scenic Byway
![West Elk Loop Scenic Byway West Elk Loop Scenic Byway](../../cimages/byways/westelk/bluemesa-01k.jpg)
One of the campgrounds at Blue Mesa Reservoir
This route gives access to the White River and Gunnison National Forests, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir, and Crawford and Paonia State Parks. Europeans first came here in search of minerals, then stayed to farm and ranch. Carbondale, Hotchkiss, Crawford, Gunnison, and Crested Butte offer a rich slice of Colorado's history. Marble is where the stone for the Tomb of the Unknowns came from. The "Loop" part of this scenic byway encircles West Elk Mountain, the remains of a very large ancient volcano.
![Curecanti Creek, West Elk Loop Scenic Byway Curecanti Creek, West Elk Loop Scenic Byway](../../cimages/byways/westelk/westelk-01d.jpg)
Curecanti Creek area
![Black Canyon of the Gunnison Black Canyon of the Gunnison](../../cimages/byways/westelk/curecanti-01a.jpg)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison at Morrow Point Lake
![West Elk Loop Scenic Byway West Elk Loop Scenic Byway](../../cimages/byways/westelk02/307.jpg)
Coming up on Crested Butte
![Blue Mesa Lake Blue Mesa Lake](../../cimages/colorado/features/bluemesalake/301.jpg)
February, looking west across Blue Mesa Reservoir
![West Elk Loop Byway area map West Elk Loop Byway area map](../../dimages/colorado/byways/maps/west-elk-byway01.jpg)
West Elk Loop Scenic Byway area map