Friday, September 26

Montrose, Co.
This morning we all sat outside and enjoyed our coffee, a few donuts and visited about this and that. Around 11:00 we left for our day at "Black Canyon" of Gunnison National Park. Just after we have made one of the most scenic drives in America, we tour Gunnison N.P. . Black Canyon is unbelievably beautiful. I stand on the edge and it takes my breath away while I look in awe at this geological wonder. It is so deep, so sheer and so narrow that very little light can reach the bottom. If you have never been to "Black Canyon", here's another one to add to your list.
After our visit which included a 3 mile somewhat strenuous hike we headed back to Montrose. We enjoyed a BBQ and the company of our "Creeker" friends. After sitting outside relaxing with friends we went to bed late. Tomorrow we plan on going to the Montrose Farmers Market, Russell Stover Factory and store and a local winery. "Some are longer, some are deeper, some are narrower, and a few have walls as steep, but no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison".

The Gunnison river below, the river drops 480 feet in one two mile stretch.

Carol standing at one of the look outs over the canyon.

Driving from Montrose north or east you wouldn't have any idea this geological masterpiece is here. Earliest recorded information of the canyon wasn't until 1874.
Looking out from Warner Point.

"Our surroundings were of the wildest possible description. The roar of the water... was constantly in our ears, and the walls of the canyon, towering half mile in height above us, were seemingly vertical. Occasionally a rock would fall from one side or the other , with a roar and crash, exploding like a ton of dynamite when it struck bottom, making us think our last day had come".

-Abraham Lincoln Fellows, 1908

I use this quote because I feel it adequately describes "Black Canyon".

Carol and I at the Gunnison Point overlook.