COLORADO - Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado can be a lot of fun. You can see a lot of wildlife and enjoy scenic views of the area. However, you will need some gumption to visit the inner canyon. This area is designated a wilderness area and there are no maintained trails. To enter this area, you must have above-average fitness and route-finding skills.
Gunnison National Park in Colorado
If you're looking for a hike, the most popular route in the park is the Gunnison Route Trail. This trail is 1.8 miles round-trip and has 1,781 feet of elevation gain. The route is not very technical, but it is steep.
If you're looking for more hiking, you can take the Oak Flat Loop Trail. This trail goes south to the South Rim Campground. This trail features stairs and a descent of 300-400 feet. You can also take the trail to the top of the Painted Wall, which is the tallest sheer cliff in Colorado. The cliff is 2,250 feet high. You'll need to be prepared for a climb to the top.
If you're looking for more wildlife, you can look for mule deer, bighorn sheep, and elk. You can also spot peregrine falcons, which are the fastest animal in the world. This bird flies up to 40-60 miles per hour. They're most likely to be seen in the springtime. You'll also have a chance to spot Yellow-bellied Marmots.
If you're not into hiking, you can also spend a day on the scenic drive. The 7-mile road takes visitors through the scenic landscape of the region. The highlights of the drive include the Painted Wall View, Chasm View, and Pulpit Rock.