Colorado Review

Tiny Cedaredge, Colorado, at the foot of the Grand Mesa, celebrates the 30th anniversary of Applefest October 6 and 7.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, the small downtown area and Town Park burst with activity–kids’ games, a classic car and antique tractor show, community bake sale, arts & crafts vendors, beer & wine garden and all the apples you can eat. (Despite a spring freeze which is affecting the harvest, count on apples aplenty, but not a plethora of pick-your-own opportunities).

Pioneer Town, adjacent to the Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway Visitor’s Center, is a reminder of how early settlers lived. All the structures–from the old school house to the historic silos, are restorations of original buildings or authentic replicas. The staff at the visitor’s center is a wealth of knowledge of things to do in the area, and you can pick their brains about area history, too.

I highly recommend a drive along the Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway (highway 65 from Cedaredge). The views from 10,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level are absolutely stunning. (Color week–when fall foliage peaks–is September 17-23; if you can get up there then, go!) Dubbed the “playground in the sky” the scenic highway is indeed an outdoor wonderland with 300 lakes for fishing and dozens of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Plenty of campsites allow you to sleep under the stars; just make sure you’ve got your cold-weather sleeping bag. It’ll get chilly at night in at the high altitude!

Cedaredge, Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway, Applefest, Colorado