Monarch at the Crest - Visitor Center — Local services in Poncha Springs

I took a 6 month cross country road trip across the US. I have stopped in many places, and met a lot of people. I have never experienced such hate in my life as I experienced from the woman at Monarch crest gift shop. She was extremely rude to me from the beginning. I just stopped in to get a sandwich, and a cup of coffee and do some shopping while I waited. She was in her late 40s, and was working with many people in their 20s (like I am) I overheard her talking negatively about me to them. While I was just sitting waiting to get my food. I could also see that they were not participating in the conversation. Every other employee was just looking at me apologetically. I was trying to ignore her, and just wanted to eat and leave. But then when I was half way through my meal, she approached me and told me I wasn't allowed to have my backpack in the dining room. She interrupted my meal to yell at me for having my backpack next to me. She was shaking violently. Like this was some rule I was just supposed to know. I was the only person there, and had my belongings with me when I ordered and waited. She could have told me this rule before I gave them my money because I wouldn't have given them a dime. Needless to say I will never go back. And I have since heard many similar stories to people's encounters...

For 30 years or more my 6 kids and I relished in the thought of our annual stop to the top of the mountain either direction from Texas to Utah. Fascination with the large Moose and other wildlife on display, the draw to the rocks/stones almost immediately coming into the shop, to the plethora of souvenirs and postcards- there was something for all. Even the jewelry was a draw. You know what? I returned this summer with my son and what we saw was such a crushing disappointment to us. All that we hoped to find there was gone. The new owners have retained a tiny snippet of what once was. Nothing for kids. I walked the whole shop looking fora postcard and finally found a small display of about 10 or so Colorado postcards neatly stacked on 4 shelves. The nostalgia is gone and I may or may not take the time to stop...

What a fun surprise discovery! We were driving to Montrose and stumbled upon this. The retro 1960s gondolas and the "Swiss Chalet" building caught our attention. We stopped and took our kids for a ride on the gondolas up to the viewing deck. The man working at the top was really friendly and oriented us to what to look for. The views were beautiful. We spent some time hanging out at the top and walking between the Congenital Divide. Then rode down to get our free popcorn at the shop. If we had more time we would have had some local ice cream and fudge. A cool & kitschy place. There is a little 'museum' area with info about local trails and animals. Colorado Trail hikers can pick up and drop off mail here. The staff were all really friendly and clearly proud of what they do. Totally worth stopping if you...