Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Yesterday we went for a hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I had never heard of this park before I went looking for things to do around here. (Here being Delta - halfway between Grand Junction and Montrose. We couldn't go to Telluride until Sunday because the bluegrass festival means that the town is full up.) It turns out that although it was a national monument since 1933, it only because a national park in 1999. And it's not terribly big - a 17 mile section of river and surrounding land. But there is some amazing scenery in that narrow stretch of land.



We did a three mile hike to the excellently named Exclamation Point.

For most of the walk out to the point, we could hear the river, but not see it.  Not until we got to the point, and fully understood the name.

I got a bit of vertigo taking this picture:

Kate had been a bit cranky on the walk out, so we spent some time playing in the shade.  She loves digging around in the dirt and made quite a good mess of herself.

Thankfully, she fell asleep for the return hike.
Today we're moving to Telluride and our home for the week.  We're looking forward to that.  Here in Delta, you have to drive to absolutely everything.  Totally different than Telluride, where you park your car when you arrive and it stays parked until it's time to leave.