Photography Steve Sublette ©

Written By NICHOLE ZANGARA

Ridgway was the staging site for many of Hollywood's best-known Westerns including How the West was Won and True Grit. John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Robert Duvall starred in True Grit, a Paramount Pictures blockbuster shot in the mid-1960s and released in 1969. Some of the original props, embellishments and buildings where movies were filmed may still be seen around Ridgway. Selected because it is surrounded by 360 degrees of drop-dead gorgeous, rugged mountain terrain, Ridgway is essentially a quiet Western town with a charismatic energy. It is dubbed The Gateway to the San Juans.

Strapping on spurs, throwing a saddle on your favorite steed and riding off into the sunset with snow-covered mountains at your back still happens every day in Ridgway. Visit one of the areas dude ranches or liveries where families, singles and corporate retreats gather throughout the year to enjoy the adventurous side of life. Warmer months offer some of life's more sophisticated past times such as a round or two of golf at Ridgway's 18-hole championship golf course, a soak in one of three natural hot springs, miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, unique shopping and down-home dining options.

The Uncompahgre River runs through Ridgway, offering a playground and a fine riparian nature trail, dozens of bald eagles each winter and spring as well as great fishing and salmon snagging in season. Ridgway State Park and Reservoir is just minutes from the town center and offers year-round camping, 89 picnic areas, a swimming beach, marina, scenic overlook/amphitheater and visitor's center.

Snow brings world-class skiing at nearby Telluride Ski Resort (37 miles), but just outside of town, one may access the best backcountry and hut-to-hut skiing in the world. The Ouray Ice Park (15 minutes) brings climbers from around the world ready to experience unsurpassed vertical walls of sheer ice. Ridgway's wrap-around views are unparalleled! The town enjoys some of the cleanest air and water in the United States and sparkling clear night skies. Coming to a place that offers so much yet is still such a well-kept secret that anyone who happens upon it feels that they have struck gold in the 21st century.

LOCAL STATISTICS:

Location: 86 miles south of Grand Junction on Hwy 50

Population: 718

Average Home Price: $215,000

Average Rental: $850

Median Age: 43

Average Wage: $23,500

Elevation: 6,985 ft.

Median Temperatures: Summer: 79/42F Winter: 40/08F

Founded: 1891

Industry: Tourism/ Ranching/ Construction

College: Fort Lewis & Mesa State

Ouray County Population: 4,000