Traveling in a Winnebago

Traveling in a Winnebago
Traveling in a Winnebago

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Black Canyon South Rim and Crested Butte

Thursday May 24th we went back to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Last time we went to the north rim so this time we headed for the south rim to hike and check out the sites. I think the views from the south rim are just as, if not more, spectacular than the north rim.


The north rim does not have a visitor center but the south rim does so it was our first stop. Whenever we go to a national park visitor center we buy a hiking medallion as you can see from our hiking sticks. Our memories are failing so we use the sticks to remember where we've been.


We get quite a few comments and interest from the other hikers about our sticks. Many of them don't realize these medallions are available.

At the visitor center we viewed a video of the history of the canyon which was very interesting and informative.

The Black Canyon, as a geographic feature, is 48 miles in length and 2,772 feet deep at Warner Point. The Canyon is managed by both the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.

In just 48 miles in the canyon the Gunnison River loses more elevation than the 1,500 mile Mississippi River does from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The river drops an average of 96 feet per mile in the national park. We are able to hear the roar of the river's white water from the rim.

"Some are longer, some are deeper, some are narrower, and a few have walls as steep," writes geologist Wallace Hansen. "But no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness, and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

The visitor center is located at a very scenic part of the canyon with an awesome overlook.



As we drove along the south rim road there were many areas to stop and hike out to the overlooks. One thing that surprised us was the number of bikers pumping their bikes up the steep road. I like to bike but not these roads with the steep up and downs. (Pete, you would like the steep roads. Wayne and I would not.)


The trails to the overlooks range from 100 yards to a couple of miles and along the paths we were treated to the sites and smells of the wild flowers. At each of the overlooks we were again amazed by the awesome views.










It was a great day although my foot did get sore on the last trail but it was worth it. We were both glad to get back to the camper and prop up our feet.

Friday May 25th we took a road trip to Crested Butte which is up in the mountains with the ski areas.

It is a quaint little town for artists, tourists, and of course skiers. Bev and I walked up main street to check out all the little shops and viewed some interesting art along the way. We did stop in one place for ice cream. (Life is good when your eating ice cream.)










We headed further up the mountain towards the ski area, the place is loaded with high priced houses and many condos.




This was another great day. The weather was clear and the temperature comfortable.

The great thing about living and traveling in an RV is you wake up to new scenery out your front window on a regular basis. There is so much to see and do in this great country of ours that we will never be able to see it all no matter how long we live. Other countries are great and we have seen some but why go elsewhere when we have the best to offer right here.

Many people need consistency in their lives and need to wake up in the same place everyday, seeing, and doing the same things everyday. I can understand that and we have that consistency because we wake up in our home every day but with new and exciting scenery out our window.

Bev and Tom Livin and Lovin the RV lifestyle.

No comments:

Post a Comment