3966 State Highway 133 Somerset, CO 81434

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The scenic West Elk Loop starts at the front door of your new home! Literally, no kidding. Travel 8 miles east on Colorado 133 to CR 12 which takes you on an amazingly beautiful drive over Kebler Pass to Crested Butte, 38 miles away. Crested Butte is a historic, restored gold mining town. You can have lunch and a beer at Kochever’s which still has the glass encased drawer under the end of the bar, which was the holding place for patrons’ pistols if they wanted to partake in the establishment’s libations and socializing. Continue to Gunnison and Sapinero, past the Blue Mesa Reservoir and along the rim of the majestic Black Canyon of the Gunnison, enjoying stunning views. Traveling north, you’ll reach Crawford, home to the late Joe Cocker. He restored the historic Mad Dog Café in town. You can pick-up some groceries in Hotchkiss and when you reach Paonia, you’re only 9 miles away from Somerset. Paonia is a Colorado Creative District home to many artists and authors. Paonia loves its festivals! The River Fest, Cherry Festival, Mountain Harvest Fest and Cider Festival draw people of all ages and backgrounds! PIckin’ in the Park, the summer concert series is held in a beautiful park with old-growth trees. Paonia United Brewery and Chrysalis will both quench your thirst, and provide a great space to hang with your friends and listen to good music. This region is referred to as the North Fork Valley and is home to a huge number of organic orchards and farms. The area produces a bounty of cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears and many varieties of apples. Organic farms grow the most wonderful summer and fall vegetables! Local greenhouses provide us with organic, baby arugula, kale, spinach and salad greens year-round. There are also 12 wineries in the North Fork Valley. The hot summer days and cool nights that Colorado is known for, help grow beautiful grapes! The home is energy-efficient and all windows had been replaced with new double-pane, vinyl windows. The home is heated with a propane furnace purchased in 2016, which has a 20-year warranty. This would be a great investment property if you choose not to live here year-round. Its access to all of the National Forest and Wilderness, would make it a great short-term Air B&B or long term rental. People in this valley also drive over McClure Pass for work, errands and pleasure. It starts 8 miles east and winds its way north along Paonia Reservoir. The town of Marble is on the other side of the pass. A 4WD Forest Service road goes over Schofield Pass to the ghost town of Crystal, with the iconic mill hanging on the edge of the cliff that you have seen pictured in travel magazines. Stop at Slow Groovin’ BBQ if you have the time! Carbondale is only another 15 minutes away. From there, 30 miles north takes you to Glenwood Springs and I-70 or 40 miles south leads to Aspen.