Sharing photos, videos, vintage images I've discovered, and -- occasionally -- commentary and thoughts from retired life and travels.

Gunnison River

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, North Rim

November 2, 2009

Ouray, Colorado — September 11, 2009

We decided to get away from the almost daily mountain showers and take a day trip to the less visited northern rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the newest of our national parks.

(click on any of the following photos to view a larger image.)

black canyon of the gunnison north rim

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is very deep and narrow.

black canyon of the gunnison - north rim

The fast flowing Gunnison River loses more elevation in 48  miles than the 1500 mile Mississippi River does from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-north-rim-1

For a sense of the scale of this canyon, the arrow in the image above is pointing to the national park visitor center across the canyon on the south rim.  The inset image is a blow-up of the building from the original of this image.

needle rock across crawford reservoir

Needle Rock from across Crawford Reservoir on the way to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

black canyon of the gunnison - north rim

Just as on the south rim, there are a number of overlooks, as well as a campground, though the campground on the north side of the park is significantly more primitive.

black canyon of the gunnison - north rim

The sky over the canyon was awesome.

black canyon of the gunnison - north rim

It was a 227 mile day trip, much of it over twisting and turning mountain roads.  While the road inside the park is a good paved road, the county Black Canyon road between the state highway and the park is graded and graveled.

After a long day of driving and sightseeing, we stopped for pizza in Montrose.

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Commentary and images from the road

image and information from September 11, 2009

This post is being simultaneously published
on Exit78 and Haw Creek Out ‘n About

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South Rim of the Black Canyon

October 23, 2009

September 9, 2009

We’ve gone past the Black Canyon of the Gunnison several times. The first time we really stopped, though, was after it became Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, having originally been established as a national monument.  This time we visited most of the easily accessible parts of the park.

From Wikipedia:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a United States National Park located in western Colorado, and managed by the National Park Service. There are two entrances to the park; the more-developed south rim entrance is located 15 miles (24 km) east of Montrose, while the north rim entrance is located 11 miles (18 km) south of Crawford and is closed in the winter. The park contains 12 miles (19 km) of the 48-mile (77 km) long canyon of the Gunnison river. The national park itself contains the deepest and most dramatic section of the canyon, but the canyon continues upstream into the Curecanti National Recreation Area and downstream into the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.

Photos:

(click on any of the following photos to view a larger image.)

Black Canyon visitor center

Black Canyon visitor center

The area was established as a U.S. National Monument on March 2, 1933 and made into a National Park on October 21, 1999.

Gunnison River

Gunnison River

In the canyon

In the canyon

Kayakers run the river at their own risk. The Gunnison River through the National Park has claimed the lives of even the most experienced, respected kayakers. The river’s hydraulics can make self-rescue or rescue by others impossible.

Most visitors view the canyon from the south, where there are numerous overlooks, as well as a campground and trails.

a canyon overlook

a canyon overlook

Over the black canyon

Over the black canyon

The rapids within the national park are considered Class V and some sections are unrunnable. This is a very technical paddle and includes numerous long, difficult and dangerous portages. Poison ivy is nearly impossible to avoid, and can be found growing 5 feet tall along the river.

Eastern Portal - road into canyon

Eastern Portal - road into canyon

__________________________________

Commentary and images from the road

image and information from September 9, 2009

This post is being simultaneously published
on Exit78 and Haw Creek Out ‘n About

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