Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Colorado Rockies are, of course, famous for their mountains, but the Black Canyon of the
Gunnison National Park ( 800-873-0244, 970-249-1915; www.nps.gov/blca ; 7-day admission per vehicle $15;
8am-6pm summer, 8:30am-4pm fall, winter & spring; ) is the inverse of this geographic feature -
a massive yawning chasm etched out over millions of years by the Gunnison River and
volcanic uplift.
Here a dark, narrow gash above the Gunnison River leads down a 2000ft chasm that's
as eerie as it is spectacular. No other canyon in America combines the narrow openings,
sheer walls and dizzying depths of the Black Canyon, and a peek over the edge evokes a
sense of awe (and vertigo) for most.
The 32,950-acre park takes its name from the fact that it's so sheer, deep and narrow,
sunlight only touches the canyon floor when the sun is directly overhead. In just 48 miles
of traveling through the canyon, the Gunnison River loses more elevation than the entire
1500-mile Mississippi. This fast-moving water, carrying rock and debris, is powerfully
erosive. In fact, if it weren't for the upstream dams, the river would carry five times its
current volume of water.
Head to the 6-mile-long South Rim Rd, which takes you to 11 overlooks at the edge of
the canyon, some reached via short trails up to 1.5 miles long (round-trip). At the narrow-
est part of Black Canyon, Chasm View is 1100ft across yet 1800ft deep. Rock climbers
are frequently seen on the opposing North Wall. Colorado's highest cliff face is the 2300ft
Painted Wall. To challenge your senses, cycle along the smooth pavement running parallel
to the rim's 2000ft drop-off. You definitely get a better feel for the place than you do
trapped in a car.
In summer the East Portal Rd is open. This steep, winding hairpin route takes you into
the canyon and down to the river level where there are picnic shelters and superb views up
the gorge and the craggy cliff faces. This area is popular with fly-fishers.
For a surreal experience, visit Black Canyon's South Rim in winter. The stillness of the
snow-drenched plateau is broken only by the icy roar of the river at the bottom of the
canyon, far, far below.
The park is 12 miles east of the US Hwy 550 junction with US Hwy 50. Exit at Hwy
347 - well marked with a big brown sign for the national park - and head north for 7
miles.
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