BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON
COLORADO Visited: November 2020
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was established in 1999, making it one of the newer National Parks in the Southwest region. It is just around 50 square miles making it also one of the smaller National Parks in the area. However, it isn’t any less impressive. This park is similar to the Grand Canyon where most of it’s hikes are around the rim looking down at Precambrian rock that was carved by the Gunnison River.
Honestly, this park was a surprise to me. I have been wanting to visit every national park and on our road trip, I assumed this park would kind of be a “drive through”. It is now one of my favorite places. The black rock and the deep canyons were absolutely STUNNING!
This park was also rather empty which made it so peaceful as well! We spent two days here and were lucky enough that it snowed on the second day, so we got to see everything dusted in snow!
MINI HIKES AND SCENIC OVERLOOKS
If the roads are open, there is a scenic drive on the South Rim that takes you from the Visitors Center to High Point parking lot. There are 9 scenic overlooks you can stop at and I recommend ALL OF THEM. Each one gives you a new view down into the canyon.
Pulpit Rock
Cross Fissures, Rock Point, Devil’s Lookout
Chasm View, Painted Wall
Cedar Point, Dragon Point
Sunset View, High Point
Painted Rock was one of our favorite spots. It is easy to see why!
Dragon Point (it looks like a dragons back from certain angles)
Pulpit Rock
WARNER POINT
Distance: 1.8 roundtrip Elevation Gain: 395 ft Estimated Time: 1 hour
Warner Point starts at High Point overlook. It is a fairly strenous hike since the beginning of it is start up. However, the views are worth it. You get to see the full scope of the canyon from the view point.
BLACK CANYON RIM TRAIL
Rim Rock Trail, Uplands Trail, Oak Flat Trail
Distance: 3.7 miles Elevation Gain: 815 ft Estimated Time: 2 hours
This nice little hike is one of the only trails that will take you slightly into the canyon without the need of a backpacking permit, repelling gear, or a guide. The hike was strenuous but well worth it. It had snowed the night before as well so it was COLD!
