Black Canyon of the Gunnison - North Rim

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

We couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate this day than to enjoy the glorious wonders of God's creations. So today we are off to explore the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

The walls in Black Canyon vary from 1750' to 2700' from the floor of the canyon.  The area called The Narrows is the shallowest and narrowest part of the canyon.  The walls are about 1750' from the floor and the distance between the walls is less than 1/4 mile wide.

The Gunnison River has an average fall of 95' per mile which provides the energy needed to cut downward faster.

Our first stop was Chasm View from the north rim.  

From the north rim you can see many "painted" walls.

This gives you some perspective how deep this canyon is at this spot. You cannot see the top of the wall. 

Our next stop on the north rim is The Narrows. As I mentioned earlier this is the shallowest and narrowest part of the canyon.

As you can see there any many "painted" walls.

Our next stop is Balanced Rock.

See this huge boulder balancing there.  The boulder also looks cracked and makes you wonder how long before part of it falls.

The Big Island stop shows massive grounds(mountains) that are separated from each other as if islands.

Tic zoomed in on the river below.  He got several great river pictures!

Island Peaks stop displayed several peaks that weren't as big as the Big Island area.

It is fascinating to see the trees growing from the fractures in the rock.

Another good closeup of the river. The water flows strong and fast all through the Black Canyon.

Above and below show many of the "peaks" seen here.

From the Island Peaks area we could also see the Visitors Center and overlook on the opposite side of the canyon.

The Kneeling Camel stop is the last stop on the north rim side of the canyon.

You can see the kneeling camel clearly in this picture.

Above and below are views looking different directions but still at the Kneeling Camel stop.

WOW the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an awesome area displaying so much of God's handiwork!