BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON
After a long, scenic, early morning drive from Grand Lake, Colorado, where we hike Rocky Mountain National Park, we arrived at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Having done a lot of research and planning ahead of time, we were crestfallen upon arrival when we found that the North Rim, where we had plotted out much of our hiking, was closed. That being said we made the most of the situation.
We started our first day by driving out on the South Rim Road all the way to Warner Point and hiking out to see an incredible view of the canyon at this apex. From there we winded our way back down South Rim Road, stopping at almost every overlook along the way, many including a short hike out. One of the most impressive sites along the way is Painted Wall, with striations of different rock layers and therefore color throughout.
On our second day in the canyon, we traversed down into the canyon on one of the unmaintained wilderness routes, the Tomichi Route. Traveling carefully down a slope of scree, we reached the emerald waters of the Gunnison River at the bottom, only to then have to turn around (after a much needed rest of course) and scramble our way back up.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is on the traditional and stolen land of the Ute people.
Listen while you look! These buttons will link you to the podcast episode(s) for this park and gallery.
