Colorado - Black Canyon of the Gunnison

After driving the Million Dollar Highway, we made it to our hotel (Best Western) in Montrose, CO. We had arrived earlier than expected, (1:00pm) , so we had time to do the 20 drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

We reached the South Rim Visitor Center and hike out to Gunnison Point. It was a short easy hike an a paved trail. The views were awe inspiring. This canyon is over 2,000 feet deep and only 40 feet across at its closest point. Because of this, it only receives 30 minutes of sun a day, so it is always in the shadows. Hence the name.

We drove along the 7 mile road and stopped at Pulpit Rock Overlook, Painted Wall View Sunset View and Highpoint. Each overlook provided fantastic views of the canyon.

View from Gunnison Point, no sunlight at the bottom!

We returned to Sunset View since they had tables and an outhouse. Luckily, I kept our picnic basket and cooler packed and ready for a cocktail hour. Seems like a new trend, cocktails at National Park overlooks! Ha ha!

Cocktails at Sunset View.