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Gunninson Lake City area Tucked away in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado is one of the true gems of our public lands. Sculpted by the forces of volcanoes, glaciers, wind and rain, the resulting mountains, valleys, streams, and lakes are a masterpiece of nature's artistry. Native Americans came to these mountains for centuries to hunt and gather food. In the late 1800s they were replaced by miners who came in search of a different livelihood -- silver, gold, lead, and zinc. These hardy pioneers carved a network of roads through this rugged terrain to enable them to transport ore and supplies by mule-drawn wagons. Today, most of the mines are closed but the roads still remain. They are used by a different sort of adventurer - folks who travel by 4-wheel-drive or motorcycle or mountain bike. Although technology has made it easier for us to visit these mountains, it has not diminished their beauty or the adventure to be found here. One thing that has changed is the name. We now call this system of roads the Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway. Most of the area is public land managed for you by the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. It is wild country and perhaps not suited to everyone's taste. But, if you are able to appreciate nature on her own terms, we think you will agree this is a very special place.
