Grand County is rich in history with old wagon roads, quilt trails, & homesteads and stage stops.
Grand County Quilt Trail –
We are pleased to tell you about the “Grand Quilt Trail” by the Grand Quilters and the Grand County Historical Association (GCHA). Since 1970, The Quilters have provided quilts to local families and support organizations for those in need. The project is endorsed by the Town of Fraser’s Public Arts Committee.
A Quilt Trail is a collection of square wood panels of various sizes, colorfully painted with quilt designs. They are set up in a community or neighborhood so devotees can follow the ‘quilt trail.’
Quilt blocks are displayed on the exterior (sometimes inside too) of public and private buildings, barns, churches, museums, schools and homes. The purpose of a Quilt Trail is to celebrate the heritage of quilt making and honor the pioneer women who began the long tradition of quilting.
The first Quilt Trail was initiated in Ohio in 2001 and there are now Quilt Trails in 43 US states and 3 Canadian provinces. In Colorado, many counties including Jefferson, Clear Creek, Summit, Boulder and more, enjoy active Quilt Trails.
Started in Spring 2017, the Grand Quilt Trail has more than 350 quilt blocks installed on buildings throughout the county. If you’ve driven through any town in Grand County, you’ve probably seen them. We have created a full-color brochure of all the quilt blocks along the Grand Quilt Trail. The brochure of the Grand Quilt Trail is available here (click here)
The Grand Quilt Trail and the Grand Quilters are featured in GCHAs new book, Go Grand: Seven Tours through Grand County History, a popular publication.
Historic Driving Tours –
Corona/Rollins Pass: Check out what remains of old ghost towns and trestles left behind from the railroad before they built the Moffat Tunnel. The road goes from Winter Park all the way to the top of the Divide at Corona, where you can park and hike the old road and see where Needles Eye Tunnel used to allow vehicles to drive over the Divide from Rollinsville, CO. This is a dirt road and can be in rugged condition, so a 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended. This road is closed in the winter but can be accessed from a snowmobile.
How to get here: From Highway 40, the road is across the street from Winter Park Resort. Watch for the historical road sign.
Learn More at: www.moffatroad.org | Hiking Info: Rollins Pass Trailhead
Rocky Mountain National Park: The two park roads now crossing the mountains follow the general routes that native peoples of the Ute and Arapahoe tribes used to pass back and forth over the Rocky Mountains. The first to cross the mountains was Fall River Road, constructed to encourage tourism. Built between 1913 and 1920, this narrow unpaved single-lane road proved difficult and dangerous, especially in harsh winters, and soon after it was completed, the park began planning a replacement.
The park service replaced Fall River Road with Trail Ridge Road, constructed between 1926 and 1932, which climbs to 12,183 feet on Trail Ridge, making it the highest continuous highway in the United States. *Please note that Rocky Mountain National Park is closed during the winter at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side, which is about 10 miles from the Grand Lake entrance, and Many Parks Curve on the east side, which is about 8 miles from the east entrances.
How to get here: Highway 34 – western entrance at Grand Lake, CO; eastern entrances at Estes Park, CO
Learn More at: www.nps.gov/romo
Homesteads & Stage Stops –
4 Bar 4 Ranch: This historic stage stop can only be viewed from the road. In February 2014, it was named one of five most endangered places in Colorado. It is in the process of raising funds for historic preservation. >> View the News & Videos page for more information on the 4 Bar 4 Ranch.
How to get here: From Winter Park, take Highway 40 past downtown Fraser and take the first left on County Road 5 (4 Bar 4 Road) near the soccer fields. Continue straight on County Road 5 for about 3 Miles and just past the Stagecoach Meadows development, you will see the historic buildings on the left. Please view them from a distance and do not enter the fenced private property.
Cozens Ranch: Cozens Ranch was the first homestead of the Fraser Valley. Countless visitors found shelter and food at Cozens Ranch after the arduous journey over Berthoud Pass. The restored buildings which include Cozens Ranch Museum are all that remain of a large ranch complex which once covered over seven hundred acres.
How to get here: From Highway 40, Cozens Ranch Museum is accessed through the Rendezvous entrance at the edge of Winter Park and Fraser.
The Just Ranch and Rowley Homestead at Snow Mountain Ranch: Take a guided tour of the Rowley Homestead and play dress-up in period costumes.
How to get here: Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA of the Rockies is located on Highway 40 between the towns of Tabernash and Granby.
Learn More at: www.snowmountainranch.org
Holzwarth Historic Homestead: Explore a historic homestead cabin and 1920’s dude ranch located in the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley on the Colorado River. Open to visitors during the summer, the property features a dozen small cabins. This is a 1 mile round trip walk from the parking area. Brochures, signs & tours available. Located 8 miles north of Kawuneeche Visitor Center on Highway 34.
How to get here: Highway 34 – western entrance at Grand Lake, CO; eastern entrances at Estes Park, CO
Learn More about RMNP’s Historic Buildings at: www.nps.gov/romo/historyculture
Trail River Ranch: Trail River Ranch, homesteaded in 1914, is located 4 miles inside the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The ranch was significant long before recorded history for it’s beauty. Nestled in the Kauwaneeche Valley at the foot of Bowen Peak, at the confluence of the Bowen and Baker Creeks and the Colorado River, the site was most recently the home of the late Betty Dick, the gracious Grand Lake philanthropist. The Continental Divide Trail guides hikers from all over the world passed “the Little Buckeroo Barn”, which has been nominated for the List of Historic Structures.
How to get here: Highway 34 – western entrance at Grand Lake, CO; eastern entrances at Estes Park, CO
Learn More about RMNP’s Historic Buildings at: www.nps.gov/romo/historyculture