THE MAGAZINE FOR COLORADO'S UNCOMPAHGRE VALLEY
HIT THE IRON ROAD
Ouray’s via ferrata has been a huge hit since it opened back in 2020.
So much so in fact, that this summer a second route will open.Via ferratas, which translates to iron road in Italian, date back centuries,
but it was their use in battles in northeastern Italy during World War I that made them widely known.
There are more than 1,500 via ferratas in the world, but only a fraction of them are in North America. The Ouray via ferrata was designed to meet or exceed all current ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials) and CEN (the European Committee for Standardization - it’s French for Comité Européen de Normalization in case you’re interested) safety standards. The second route is expected to open some time in June.
Dreamed up by a group that eventually became the non-profit Friends of the Ouray Via Ferrata (FOVF), the park is on city-owned land within Uncompahgre Gorge just outside town. It follows the Ouray Ice Park model in that it is owned by the City of Ouray and is free to the public, although specific safety gear is required. That gear as well as guided trips can be found at outfitters in town.
Visit Ourayviaferrata.org for more info, to keep up to date on the details of the second route and to find guides and outfitters in town.
F&B BRIEFS
FOOD & BEVERAGE
San Juan Brews
Another Montrose Main Street newcomer, San Juan Brews has settled into its Main Street location. The only place in town where the smell of malt and coffee come together, the guys there have done a great job creating
a welcoming atmosphere.
SanJuanBrews.com
IG @SanJuanBrews
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Country Girl Toffee
Also new in the confectionery world is Country Girl Toffee in Delta. Literally a few weeks old, the company was started by Sophia Harris because she couldn’t find the kind of toffee she wanted, so she just decided to make her own! Currently, they have milk chocolate almond toffee available but they will soon be adding dark chocolate, sea salt, and sugar-free versions.
Countrygirltoffee.com
IG @CountryGirlToffee
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Alpen Confections
Alpen Confections is the latest culinary addition to Montrose, and what an addition it is. The chocolates are nothing short of works of art that are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.
AlpenConfections.com
IG @alpenconfections
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Storm King Distilling
Storm King Distilling in Montrose turns out great stuff, but you don’t have to take our word for it. They recently added to their medal haul by winning double gold at the Denver International Spirit Competition, bringing home the bacon for their Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey and their Side Gig Whiskey.
Stormkingdistilling.com
IG @StormKingDistillingCo
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Double Barrel Taco Company
Montrose is fortunate to have plenty of authentic Mexican taco joints, but Double Barrel Taco Company on Main Street has found that locals and visitors also have an appetite for something a little more hipster - think brisket and blackened shrimp rather
than cabeza and lengua.
DoubleBarrelTaco.com
IG @DoubleBarrelTaco
CORONA COUNTY Photos by William Woody
CORONA COUNTY
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