COLORADO – BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK

Notes: Deep, dark, sheer massive cliffs dominate this park. Although aptly-named Black Canyon is less than a half-hour drive east of Montrose CO, this area was surprisingly uncrowded when Jean and I visited the South Rim in mid-April 2021. Of course, the below-freezing temperatures and scattered patches of snow we encountered may have had something to do with that. Nevertheless, as we peered over the jagged metamorphic rocks to the rushing river 1,800 feet below, we had no trouble believing engineer John Gunnison considered this canyon impenetrable when he visited it in the 1850s. But the paved roads and graded trails (with some steps) in the park provided easy access to numerous take-your-breath-away vistas. If possible, I recommend visiting on an overcast day which will provide even lighting to see (and photograph) the canyon walls. The one place where blue sky and sunshine will enhance your experience is The Painted Wall where pink pegmatite veins weave crazily across a canvas of blue-black gneiss.

&spsp.; View from Tomichi Point - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado &spspspsp; View from Pulpit Rock - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

&spspspspsps; View from Gunnison Point - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado &spspspspspspspsp;

&spsp.; View from Cross Fissures Overlook - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado &spspspsp; The Painted Wall - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado