Culture & Education

The Grand Mesa in Cedaredge, Colorado

Rising high above the vibrant browns and reds of the westerner Colorado landscape, stand the Grand Mesa. Touted as the highest flat topped mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa spans roughly 500 acres and stretches 40 miles in Garfield, Grand and Delta counties. While much of the terrain does appear flat, the topography can be rugged in many places. Plateau and Kannah creeks run off the Mesa into the Grand Valley and there are over 300 lakes. Most of the Mesa sits at 6,000 feet but the highest points reach just over 11,000 feet in elevation, mostly in the Grand Mesa National Forest. The easiest and simplest way to see the Mesa is to drive Colorado Highway 65, the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, running from Interstate 70 in the west to the town of Cedaredge in the South. The Scenic Byway though switchbacks and overlooks, and gives one a sufficient overview of the landscape. But to really enjoy it, one should get out and hike.