Did you know, one of the lesser-known and most beautiful scenic byways in Colorado, the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway, just happens to run through Norwood, Colorado? Located in Western Colorado along highways 141 and 145, this unforgettable 133 mile journey, travels along Colorado’s canyonlands, through scenic river canyons, deserts, mesas and mountains between the towns of Placerville near Telluride and Whitewater just south of Grand Junction, through the communities of Norwood, Redvale, Naturita and Gateway. Travel back in time to experience Colorado’s wild west and immerse yourself in the West End’s geological, ancient archeological and mining history, while delving into its endless recreational opportunities.
A Little History Of The Area
Ancient Meanings
In Ute language, “Unaweep” means “parting of the waters” or “canyon with two mouths,” and tabeguache, named after the Tabeguache Utes means “people living on the warm side of the mountain.” The Tabeguache Utes were moved to a reservation in the early 1870s in southwestern Colorado where they became known as the Uncompahgre. The name Tabeguache is immortalized with the Tabeguache Trail which travels between Montrose and Grand Junction, as well as the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway.
Ancient rivers carved through the red sandstone of the Uncompahgre Plateau forming the Unaweep and Dolores River canyons, while exposing hundreds of millions of years of geology dating all the way to the Precambrian time period, roughly 4.5 billion to 542 million years ago. Unaweep Canyon is the only known canyon in the world with a divide that drains water out each end, east toward Whitewater and west toward Gateway.
Upon being settled, Unaweep and Gateway canyons experienced a copper mining boom during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, followed by uranium ore mining decades later near the townsite of Uravan, producing uranium used in making the first atomic bombs during WWII.
A “Must See” Along The Way
The Hanging Flume
The Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway has many points of interest along its route, including the impressive and historic Hanging Flume. The Flume is a unique testament to Colorado’s gold rush of the late 1800s as an engineering marvel. Constructed by the Montrose Placer Mining Company, the Flume was used to carry water to a nearby placer gold mine at a rate of 23,640,000 gallons of water in a twenty-four hour period. The Flume took three years for a team of twenty-five men to build and its cost $173,000 (roughly $5 million today). The Flume was used for three years after it was completed, however, it failed to generate any profits. When gold mining operations in Colorado declined, the Flume was abandoned and left to deteriorate.
The Hanging Flume is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the Endangered Places List of Colorado Preservation. The remnants of the 13-mile flume rests above the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers in the Dolores River Canyon and can be viewed from the Hanging Flume Overlook along Highway 141 near mile marker 75, or from below along the easy dirt Y11 Road off Highway 141.
Things To Do Along The Byway
Looking to take a road trip and cruise with the top down, feel the wind in your face on a motorcycle, stare at the stars, hit the dirt trails, float a river or find a good rock to climb? Whatever you’re into, the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway offers something for everyone. Here are some of our top picks for to do on your drive from Norwood to Gateway and beyond! Be sure to check out all of Norwood’s outdoor opportunities here!
Stargazing
Colorado’s West End region is quickly becoming a dark sky haven with Norwood becoming an International Dark Sky Association Dark Sky Community in February of 2019, followed by Naturita and Nucla obtaining their official Dark Sky Community designation in June of 2021. Taking a trip along the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway can be just as impressive at night as it is during the day! Click here for an epic stargazer’s road trip across the west!
Hiking, biking & horseback riding
Thunder Trails / Burn Canyon Trails
Norwood is turning into one of Western Colorado’s ideal mountain biking destinations thanks to its two new trail systems. The Burn Canyon Trails offers friendly, fast and flowing single track riding through juniper, pinion and oak brush forest. The Thunder Trails offer more challenging single track riding through ponderosa and oak brush forests with extensive views of Naturita Canyon.
Lone Cone Peak
[Length: 5 miles, round-trip, out-and-back]
Lone Cone Peak is the westernmost peak of Colorado’s San Juan Mountain range. The extinct volcano, which formed approximately 65 million years ago during the San Juan’s volcanic geologic history, is Norwood’s most prominent, local landmark. The nearly five-mile round trip climb up Lone Cone Peak isn’t for the faint of heart and isn’t recommended for novice mountain climbers. Those who summit are rewarded with 360-degree vistas of the Four Corners region and nearby mountain ranges.
Y11 (Shamrock) Trail
[Length: 6 miles, round-trip, out-and-back]
If you’re looking for spectacular views, the Y11 Trail is at the top of our list. For hiking, this intermediate trail travels above the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers with beautiful views of the Hanging Flume and Dolores River Canyon. For mountain biking, this trail is suited for more advanced riders.
Horse Collar Arch Trail
[Length: 1 mile, round trip, out-and-back]
This historic trail takes hikers down into the main Martin Mesa drainage to this unique arch where runoff has cut a hole through a cliff band, creating a 100 ft plunge to the pool below. A faint trace of the trail continues on the east side of the drainage down to the Dolores River.
Roc Creek Petroglyphs Trail
[Length: 2 miles, round trip, out-and-back]
The destination for this trail are the prehistoric petroglyphs found on a rock overhang along the trail. Here you will find stunning views of Sewemup and Blue Mesas.
Boating
The San Miguel River sits just below Norwood and Wright’s Mesa and offers Class I, II and III whitewater, perfect for experienced rafters. There are several river access points between Telluride and Naturita with Norwood centrally located. Numerous raft companies offer both half and full-day trips during the spring and summer snow melt season. For those looking for a more scenic desert canyon river trip, the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers offers beauty and excitement from Naturita to Gateway, including the Hanging Flume section from the Ballpark Campground at Uravan to the confluence of the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers and beyond.
Fishing
Norwood offers numerous fun and exciting fishing opportunities for all types of anglers. Miramonte Reservoir has been dubbed one of the best fisheries in the state with its abundance of rainbow, brown and Snake River cutthroat trout. Tie on a fly, wet or dry, the San Miguel River provides anglers with pools and eddies full of eager trout. Just visiting or looking to grow your fly fishing skills, hire a guide and learn the tricks of the trade!
Rock Climbing
The West End is full of hidden gems and is home to some of Colorado’s best, albeit lesser-known climbing routes. Whether you’re into sport, crack climbing, or bouldering, there’s something for every climber along the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway. For a guide to climbing in Colorado’s West End, click here, or snag yourself a copy of iconic climbing legend, Charlie Fowler’s guide, ‘The Wild Wild West: Rock Climbing in the Wild West End of Southwestern Colorado.’
Off-Roading
Wright’s Mesa and the area surrounding Norwood offers hundreds of miles of BLM and National Forest roads and trails ideally suited for dirt biking, ATV and OHV, 4×4 and jeeping. Norwood’s Thunder Trails feature fast and flowing singletrack trails for dirt biking. The nearby Rimrocker Trail, which passes by Norwood along the Uncompahgre Plateau and crosses over the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway, provides 160 miles of 4WD, ATV/OHV and bicycle travel between Montrose, Colorado and Moab, Utah.
Where To Eat & Stay In Norwood
Norwood’s restaurants are like no other in the region. With their desire to support Norwood’s farms and ranches, eating local and healthy is easy with menu items featuring fresh, organic ingredients grown on Wright’s Mesa.
The Lone Cone Saloon
The Lone Cone Saloon is a gastropub handcrafting the American classics from scratch while incorporating flavors from around the world, using local ingredients when and available and in season!
Maggie’s Pizza
Maggie’s Pizza is the place to go to get your pizza fix. More than just a pizza joint, Maggie’s menu features specialty as well as build your own pizzas with gluten-free options, sandwiches, salads and appetizers including hot wings, as well as wine and beer on tap.
Backcountry Inn
Backcountry Inn is a charming hotel with beautiful facilities and friendly staff. Comfortable hotel rooms with small town charm. Backcountry Inn offers free onsite parking, hot showers, tent camping as well as RV sites as well as free unlimited high speed internet.