Even travelers who have visited the Grand Canyon will be surprised that there still is such a great canyon in the Southwest. That is the Black Canyon lies in south-central Colorado. This canyon in the Gunnison National Park is a deep crack into the Colorado Plateau, with the depth of half a mile. Astonishingly, the width of it is rather short and at the point called the “Narrows”, it is just 40 feet across, accompanied by the raging sound of Gunnison River down at the bottom. The name of Black Canyon is established because of the limited sunlight goes into it. Due to the short width, shadow is the constant master in the canyon, causing a blue and almost sacred feeling.
The whole canyon extends for 48 miles, but only the 14 miles from Montrose to Gunnison were included in the Gunnison National Park in 1999. With the acreage of 30,385 acres, the national part is among the smallest ones in America. However, the Painted Wall in the canyon is the tallest in the state, with the height of 2,250 feet. In the wall dark schist and gneiss is plunged all way down to the river’s edge. This is the place climbers hold in esteem and wonderful habitat for peregrine falcons, which are the fastest birds on earth.
The over-look signs of the canyon are wonderful on the 7-mile South Rim Drive from Tomichi Point to High Point. You can find several easy short trails through oak, pine and juniper to take over-looks on the rims, but trying to get to the bottom is a more serious matter. Although the trails to the bottom river are no more than 3 miles, prepare for a tough and steep 3-hour hike for the 1,600-foot depth. Anglers who can conquer the treck will get the best reward of rainbow and brown trout in the Gold Medal Rivers. You can also enjoy an easier tour on a half-day raft trip provided by Three Rivers Outfitting in the Conservation Area. This is just downstream from the national park and it’s easily accessible. It also provides Class I or II rapids for a quiet family float.
Caution: The wild Gunnison is among the riskiest kayak challenges in North America and it’s only for experts
Incoming search terms:
- black canyon of the gunnison national park
