The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has a one of a kind terrain. The drop of the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon is on average 95 feet per mile. Compare that to the Colorado river at the Grand Canyon that drops 7.5 feet per mile. The Black Canyon is 53 miles long with only 14 miles of it in the national park. The inner walls of the canyon are most often shady and appear black in color. Interestingly, the canyon has exposed Precambrian or basement rock, this is the oldest exposed rock on Earth. The Black Canyon has many ecosystems from the floor to the rim, these include Pinyon/Juniper Forest, Oak Flats, Inner Canyon and Along the River.
The Gunnison River cut its way down thick layers of Tertiary volcanics and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. The river became trapped in its own canyon and continued to erode the rocks beneath it. The Gunnison River at the slow rate of one inch per hundred years worked its way through more resistant rock and formed the narrow, steep-sided Black Canyon. Today the Gunnison River does not rage through the canyon but has three dams to hold back seasonal flooding. So does not work at the rock in the same way but it will continue to change the rock surfaces, if on a smaller scale.
When visiting the park, you will find more services, facilities, and overlooks providing better views of the Painted Wall at the South Rim. The North Rim has no visitor center and is accessed by a gravel road. Here though, you will see the best views of the narrow part of the canyon.
The weather at the canyon will vary greatly between the rim and the floor. Summer daytime temperatures range between 60 to 100F with nights at 30 to 50F. Winter daytime temperatures are between 20 to 40F with nights at minus 10 to 20F. http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm
Attractions and Activities
- Scenic Drives - South Rim Road - This drive is 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point with 12 overlooks, most reached by walking a short trail. Allow 2-3 hours to view several overlooks. The most recommended overlooks are Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall and Sunset View.
- North Rim Road - This road can be reached by taking a gravel road from the east end of Crawford State Park. It provides access to 6 overlooks with some of the most impressive views in the national park. Allow 2-3 hours for a leisurely tour. North Rim Ranger Station is open intermittently in summer. The North Rim Road is closed in winter.
- East Portal Road - You can take this drive to the Gunnison River by taking the East Portal Road. It provides access into Curecanti National Recreation Area where camping, picnicking and fishing are available. East Portal Road is closed in winter. It is extremely steep with hairpin curves. Vehicles with an overall length (including trailer) greater than 22 feet are prohibited. Trailers may be left unhitched and left at a parking area at the campground entrance. An alternative road at Cimarron (18 miles east via Highway 50) provides drive to the Gunnison River (and Curecanti National Recreation Area).
- South Rim Visitor Center - This visitor center features exhibits on the canyon. It is open daily throughout the summer, and most days of the week the rest of the year. The
- South Rim Road beyond Gunnison Point is closed to vehicles in winter.
- Rock Climbing - A free permit required. The climbs are rated from 5.8 to 5.13. http://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/rockclimbing.htm
- Hiking - rated from easy to strenuous. Some have steep drop offs.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park History
The Ute people roamed the area now known as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Later, the Spaniards were the first Europeans to see it. First on an expedition led by Juan Rivera in 1765 and then in 1776 with Fathers Dominquez and Escalante. Both parties passed the canyon looking for a passage to the California Coast. By the 1850’s, America’s west was being explored as never before. First, people came looking for railroad passageways, wealth, or just water but soon it was for scenery and recreation that they came. The area was first a national monument in 1933 and made into Black Canyon of the Gunnison on October 21, 1999.
