Saturday, July 4, 2015

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

Jellystone of the Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 2, 2015

Happy 4th of July to all...God Bless America!


Entrance station to Black Canyon...

At the top of our list this year was a visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP right here in Montrose. 

This NP offers a view of some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rocks in North America. It has taken the Gunnison River over two million years, along with forces of weathering, to sculptor a "verticle wilderness" of rock, water and sky. 




Breathtaking...exhilarating...invigorating...spirituous...




At it's narrowest point, the canyon is only 40 ft. wide.

The Black Canyon is so named because of it's steepness which makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate into it's depths making the cliff walls appear black.  












Cross Fissures




Rapids from a swiftly flowing river...
In some places, the river only receives 33 minutes of sunlight a day.


I wish you could hear the sound of the river...





The Painted Wall...the tallest sheer cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet.
Let the good times roll...


HAPPY TRAILS!

Up next...a jaunt into the San Juans.

12 comments:

  1. I'd like to hear the sound of the river.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wish you were here Judy. I have seen so many birds and have no idea what they are! You would love it!

      Delete
  2. Another wonderful adventure with excellent pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope to hear the sound of the river and witness this beautiful place myself this fall! Thanks for the preview!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This area was in our plans in May then we realized exactly how high the area was and that it was still winter:) Oh, well, another time and a little later in the year . Thanks for sharing the beauty. We look forward to hearing that river you described. The Painted Wall is so pretty! I love your photo of the old tree trunk and the canyon and cliffs in the background:) Safe travels to the San Juans! Another area we need to visit. Enjoy:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are still 4X4 trails that are not open due to the snow Pam. We were here last year in late July...what a difference just a few weeks makes! You will absolutely LOVE this place!

      Delete
  5. Wow, we have not been to the west of CO, thank you for all the great pics of the canyons. It looks so amazing out there.

    ReplyDelete