ANNEMARIE EVELAND

The story of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison began millions of years ago and the river at its bottom has been carving its canyon’s steep and rugged walls since that time. The steep narrow gorge causes its walls to be shrouded in shadows, thus making it appear as a “black” canyon. I was fascinated with the formation, the sheer austere vertical angle of its walls, and the changeable colorations that it reveals. I was surprised to learn that this canyon has some of the world’s oldest exposed rock - Precambrian rock which is almost two billion years old. Its dramatic landscape has a striking awe-filled beauty and has held its own secrets through time. 

Black Canyon is considered Colorado’s Grand Canyon and is a rugged, spectacular, and breathtaking sight to behold. The river below descends in elevation at one of the fastest rates of any North American river. The canyon obtained its National Park status in 1999 and is a very popular natural tourist attraction since it became a National Park. 

I took a little drive along the rim of this canyon and observed the Gunnison River 2,000 feet below. (Caution in driving as there are no guard rails.) The sheer magnitude of the canyon is staggering. 

Many experienced rock climbers love the challenges of this canyon’s sheer vertical rock walls. While other visitors (like me) prefer to walk the established nature trails or take a scenic drive, stopping at the numerous scenic overlooks to admire the natural wonders in this park. I always appreciate that I pack a picnic lunch for such occasions, and maybe stop at one of the scenic overlooks to munch a lunch and drink in the fantastic panoramic views. 

The South Rim’s Visitor’s Center, which displays a fascinating overview of the history of Black Canyon, is not to be missed. This area is also home to the renowned Peregrine Falcon, the fastest bird in the world. It can bullet-fly across the canyon at over 200 miles per hour! I also spotted a deer quietly and safely snuggled in the foliage. A very special memory for me.

Also located in the Gunnison Valley is the town of Gunnison; just 27.5 miles south on Colorado Hwy 15. Gunnison is the college town of Western Colorado University that also offers alternative lodging for skiers and snowboarders in winter. Its small town has a business district with affordable accommodations and eclectic little shops to peruse for creative and unusual gifts. 

If you are a history lover, the Gunnison Pioneer Museum which spreads over five acres of land is a good place to get an overview of the area’s history as it is devoted to memorabilia and artifacts from the 1880s, when the town was incorporated. 

Gunnison in the early past was used primarily by the Ute Indians as their hunting grounds and later settled by prospectors looking for rich strikes of silver. Both the towns of Gunnison and neighboring Crested Butte have long fostered mining and ranching. However, the popular use of this area now is outdoor recreation activities.  

If you enjoy camping, (which I do, on this trip I was fortunate to have a Travel Buddy with a motor-home!) the camping sites at Black Canyon’s South Rim look out to impressive views of the Canyon’s 2250-foot Painted Wall. This canyon wall is taller than the Empire State Building by 1,000 feet. The North Rim, however, has shadier camp spots with favorable glances of the canyon itself. 

I wanted to take a hike on the one-mile easy Rim Rock Nature Trail which follows the Rim of the canyon and boasts of incredible sights of the canyon wall and a nice array of variable vegetation, but we were running out of time, so we headed back home to Arizona. I understand there is another two-mile trail Oak Flat Loop that traverses steep slopes and is very narrow. It is suitable only for the experienced hikers as there are no maintained/marked trails. I plan to return someday and camp and hike that Rim Rock trail or try out the Oak Flat Loop if I am in good hiking shape.

The South Rim is about 14 miles from Montrose and 63 miles from Gunnison. As I reflected on this beautiful and rugged canyon that has weathered the test of time and water’s powerful forces, I am amazed at the legacy and wonder of nature’s ability to fascinate, mesmerize, and humble us! 

 If you decide to make a memorable trip to see this natural wonder of our world, I hope you can visit during spring or summer to catch the blooming vegetation and spend your time outdoors in the great magnificent scenery at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. If you do visit there, you will likely recall that trip as one of your fondest memories, as I surely did.