north rim

After circumnavigating the large Curecanti reservoir, we were advised at the visitor center to drive the relatively short distance on the north loop road of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to a view of the canyon at the Pioneer overlook. It was well worth it.

It's all unpaved, gravel track. We didn't continue because we were on a rental 2WD car. However it did seem more thrilling and adventurous than the South Rim. Also the views somehow show more depth of the canyons!

North Rim has more hiking options than more popular South Rim. The longest trail to the top of Green Mountain is a little over 7 mile long but the best views are from Exclamation Point (3 mile round trip) and once you get there you understand why this spot was named the Exclamation Point. Wow! What a view of the steep walls, roaring Gunnison River and viewing platforms on the south rim seem so close. The trail from Exclamation Point to the top of Green Mountain climbs gradually but should be considered by only those who would like to add extra distance and higher elevation since views of the canyon from the top mostly obstructed by trees are nothing like those from Exclamation Point or several other points along the north rim.The trailhead is located at the ranger station and starts next to the toilet. If the ranger station is closed there are self-paid envelopes next to the door of the station.

We've been on the south rim of the Black Canyon a few times as it is easiest to get to. There is nothing wrong with the south rim - it is lovely! But, this time we were able to visit the north rim and it was gorgeous! It is a little further out of the way, but worth the additional time. Plan to spend several hours once in the area to get to the rim and then enjoy the views. We started the drive by going over the dam at Blue Mesa Reservoir and then winding around on a paved road (with many several nice stops and overlooks of the river) to eventually get to the rim drive. The road in to the rim drive is mostly gravel and the rim drive itself is all gravel. The rim drive has several overlooks and is a one-way in and back out. Each of the overlooks is stunning. There are views of the canyon which falls steeply from the rim. Not as deep as the Grand Canyon, but pretty impressive nonetheless. We saw only a handful of people when we were there on a nice weekend in September. There are no facilities here, though.

We decided to forgo the south rim and try the more isolated North rim.Was a bit out off the way since we were headed down hwy 50 thru Gunnison.It was worth the drive.The views were breath taking and there was no fee to enter the park...unless you are staying in the park overnight.You will start to wonder if you are ever going to get there as it is off a major highway then there are many twists and turns.Be watchful of the many signs or you will miss your turn offs.Our GPS only gave us directions into the national park and then we just watched carefully for the signs for the turnoffs.Next trip we visit the south rim.

Where is the North Rim? Go to Crawford, Colorado, head South to just past Crawford Reservoir. Watch for signs to turn right. Follow the signs about 15 miles to the rim. The road is paved for a couple of miles, the remainder is gravel.North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is well worth the effort. Sure, it is a little off the beaten path, so plan on another day. The North Rim campground is very well maintained. Hiking trails are convenient. You can walk the rim and look straight down 2000 feet. Rock climbing on the north face wall is classic training ground. The wall is as vertical as it can get. Black Canyon is over 2 Billion years in the making. This was once ocean bottom. As the water receded the Gunnison River formed the erosion of the Black Canyon. You can hike to the bottom of the canyon from the North Rim. Register at the Ranger Station. Restrooms, no water, at both ends of the North Rim. No food or water, pack it in and out. Walking distance to the six viewpoints is short.I wrote a photo guide book of the North Rim Blurb published.

You will have to drive down a desolate road to get here, that turns from pavement to gravel, but it is well worth the effort. We saw very few people. With so many parks being so crowded, it was nice to experience this park without masses of people. The driving loop of the vistas is easy and the viewpoints are close to the road.

I had visited the Black Canyon several times, always the South Rim due to the large number of improved viewpoints, and thought the North Rim would be a secondary attraction. I would still say that the South Rim should be your destination for a first visit, but do try to see the North Rim on your second, since it is spectacular. The road by the viewpoints is dirt, but well maintained, and you won't fight the South Rim crowds. Some of the truly historic and scenic parts of the canyon, such as The Narrows, really cannot be seen well except from the North Rim.As an avid photographer, I had always assumed that the lighting would be bad for photos from the North Rim, since "surely" the view over to the south side would be shaded for most of the day. I was dead wrong, and must say that the photos from the North Rim are just as good as my large collection taken from the South Rim.Tip 1: If you are coming from Gunnison, do make sure you have at least a half tank of gas, since you won't find any gas stations along the route.Tip 2: This is open range country, and you might even find yourself part of a cattle drive going right down the road as you approach the park. We did, and I'm including a photo.

We took the North Rim because it was highly recommended by the hotel we were staying at. The views were amazing. It did snow that night so we had to take it slow however the roads were decent since the plows were out and you can't go very fast anyway because of all the twist and turns. When we got to the top we paid at the Ranger Station, and met some very helpful Rangers. It was still considered off season so they were just arriving as well. They pointed out the places to see and they sure were right! Amazing! Unfortunately we were told by the staff at our hotel you can cut through the canyon on a road and end up at South Rim... well that's wrong. When looking at the map closer there is no such road. So we asked the Rangers and they said No, you either go back down North Rim, or all the way around.

The views are spectacular. The canyon is relatively narrow and very deep. The overlooks let you look down at hawks soaring below, listen to the river cascading down the canyon, and see the jagged rock walls of the canyon. When you look North at the scrub oak rolling hills, you can see that coming upon the canyon is a surprise and totally unexpected. The force of the water that formed this deep canyon must have been unbelievable. There is also a boat tour of the river from below the dam in a Westward direction. The tour is accessed from the South Shore just below the dam - reservations required.

While traveling through this magnificient state of Colorado, a traveler's gem appears when near this location. One of many such extraordinary views to behold, Black Canyon is a spectacular sight while traveling the adjacent roadways.

The North Rim of the Black Canyon is amazing. It will take you breath away when you stand looking down 2,000 veritcal feet. It is the narrowest, deepest canyon in North America and it is worth the trip. The geological force that created this wonderful site must have been pretty powerful.

It is something of a haul to get to the north rim from the south rim, perhaps 75 miloes each way or 4 hours total. The north rim has about 6 viewpoints. There are two reasons, if you have the time, to consider checking this out. First, the cliffs are more vertical on this side. Second, from one of the viewpoints is the very best perspective of the canyon walls on both sides being very tall and very straight vertical and very close to each other. I thought this view was the best sight in the park.

Die Zufahrt zum North-rim ist ziemlich lange und man ist einsam unterwegs. Das sollte einem aber nicht davon abhalten weiterzufahren! Bei uns war das Visitor Center bei unserer Ankunft geschlossen, aber die Toiletten waren geöffnet und es gab Parkbroschüren die man mitnehmen konnte.Vom Visitor Center aus gibt es eine Strasse dem Rim entlang und die view points sind gut beschildert. Obwohl wir in der Hochsaison dort waren, traffen wir nur zwei andere Touristen, sowie einen Ranger, was das Ganze noch abenteuerlicher machte.Die Felswände gehen unglaublich steil in die Tiefe, sind vorwiegend schwarz, anthrazit, grau und weiss. Der Canyon ist schmal, tief und wild. Einfach wunderschön. Da es nicht ganz ungefährlich für Kinder ist, sollten diese gut beobachtet werden. Es hat wohl Sicherheitsgeländer aber ein Auge mehr auf die Kinder werfen kann sicher nicht schaden.Da wir den Canyon so wunderschön fanden, haben wir auch den touristisch mehr erschlossenen Süd-Rim besucht. Auch schön, aber der North-Rim ist eindrücklicher.