October 2009

September 9, 2009

We’ve gone past the Black Canyon of the Gunnison several times. The first time we really stopped, though, was after it became Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, having originally been established as a national monument. This time we visited most of the easily accessible parts of the park.

From Wikipedia:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a United States National Park located in western Colorado, and managed by the National Park Service. There are two entrances to the park; the more-developed south rim entrance is located 15 miles (24 km) east of Montrose, while the north rim entrance is located 11 miles (18 km) south of Crawford and is closed in the winter. The park contains 12 miles (19 km) of the 48-mile (77 km) long canyon of the Gunnison river. The national park itself contains the deepest and most dramatic section of the canyon, but the canyon continues upstream into the Curecanti National Recreation Area and downstream into the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.

Photos:

(click on any of the following photos to view a larger image.)

Black Canyon visitor center

The area was established as a U.S. National Monument on March 2, 1933 and made into a National Park on October 21, 1999.

Gunnison River

In the canyon

Kayakers run the river at their own risk. The Gunnison River through the National Park has claimed the lives of even the most experienced, respected kayakers. The river’s hydraulics can make self-rescue or rescue by others impossible.

Most visitors view the canyon from the south, where there are numerous overlooks, as well as a campground and trails.

a canyon overlook

Over the black canyon

The rapids within the national park are considered Class V and some sections are unrunnable. This is a very technical paddle and includes numerous long, difficult and dangerous portages. Poison ivy is nearly impossible to avoid, and can be found growing 5 feet tall along the river.

Eastern Portal - road into canyon

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Commentary and images from the road

image and information from September 9, 2009

This post is being simultaneously published
on Exit78 and Haw Creek Out ‘n About

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September 8, 2009

We’ve visited Silverton several times over the years. Our first visit was 1986, arriving with the kids by a late 1800s era train. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad is a trip worth taking once in your life and we’ve done it twice.

One of thing I wanted to do on this visit was to get some pictures of one of the trains as it comes out of the mountains. I had taken photos of it before, but it was with a film camera that had developed a light leak — which we didn’t find out until after the images were developed, weeks later.

We got to the spot I wanted to take the pictures from early — and, then, a light rain started. Though we had picnic supplies with us, we decided to get out of the rain and go get a burger.

While I didn’t get the shots I wanted, I did get quite a few good images of two different trains.

Another place we’ve been to several times is Animas Forks, an old ghost town several miles from Silverton on a mountain road. The further you go on the road, the worse it gets. Though we’ve gone a lot further on these roads in the past, our little SUV isn’t built to take anything much worse than the road to Animas Forks. The roads are popular for four-wheel-drive, ATV (all terrain vehicle) and dirt bike enthusiasts.

Photos:

(click on any of the following photos to view a larger image.)

Silverton RV Park

Silverton

Aerial trams transported more than ore.

Animas Forks

Animas River

Boarding house

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On the way to Silverton

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Aerial ore tram

Goldeneye

Animas Forks

Boarding house

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Commentary and images from the road

image and information from September 8, 2009

This post is being simultaneously published
on Exit78 and Haw Creek Out ‘n About

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