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Contact Us
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Visiting
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Getting Here |
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At the 18 mile mark on highway 165 we come to the small
community of San Isabel on jewel-like Lake Isabel. There
is a pullout with restrooms on the dam over the lake.
This area is in the heart of the oldest planned
recreational area in the entire national forest system.
Lake Isabel offers fee camping, hiking, fishing, and, in
the summer and fall, a restaurant and lodging.
Descending on highway 165 from San Isabel, we glimpse
beautiful views of the high plains stretching endlessly
to the east, little changed from the days when buffalo
and the Arapaho, Comanche and Apache made this area
their home.
 As
we enter the Greenhorn Valley and the end of the tour
(or, conversely, the beginning), we pass Greenhorn Peak,
site of the early west’s largest battle when Spanish
Governor de Anza battled Comanche Chief Greenhorn,
defeating and killing Chief Greenhorn and his four
sub-chiefs in 1779. By many accounts, more that 1,000
combatants were involved.
Byway and regional information and restrooms are
available at the Cuerno Verde Rest Stop at the junction
of highway 165 and Interstate 25 at Colorado City. Enjoy
a cozy night's stay in this one-of-a-kind Colorado
community.
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* About Rye |
Rye is located between
Colorado City and Fairview on Colorado 165, southwest of
Pueblo. This San Isabel foothills town is tucked along a
scenic state byway in south-central Colorado. The
Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway winds into
the San Isabel National Forest and passes through
landscapes ranging from meadows to mountains. Rye is one
of several historic communities dotting the important
route once traveled by Native Americans, Spanish and
American explorers, traders, fur trappers, homesteaders,
ranchers, and gold prospectors.
Established around 1870, Rye's original named was Table
Top Mountain, which might better describe its landscape.
Apparently, the name was shortened to Rye after the post
office complained that Table Top Mountain was too long.
Historically, the Rye area was noted for its dairies and
sawmills. However a significant discovery in the 1960s
proved even more memorable. A small stream near Rye was
found to contain the last surviving population of
Arkansas River Colorado Greenback Cutthroat Trout.
Thanks to this important discovery the Cutthroat has
been reintroduced into 19 creeks in Colorado and is now
Colorado's official state fish.
Other area watering holes include Lake Isabel and
Beckwith Reservoir. Camping and hiking are available in
the national forest along Colorado 165. Visitors can
rent rooms at one log cabin in Rye, but other lodging
options are available in Colorado City, just seven miles
to the east. While Rye does have its share of
interesting older homes, Colorado City also offers the
area's only selection of restaurants and other amenities
for travelers.
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