Our trip was supposed to be a three-day loop, but we woke up in Ouray and realized we were too close to an opportunity to pass it up. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—a place I had never been and Tim was eager to see again—was just a short drive away.
We decided to book another night in Ouray and make a day of it. After a beautiful morning in the "Switzerland of America," we drove north to the park. The sheer scale and ruggedness of the canyon are hard to comprehend. Its steep, dark walls plunge dramatically to the river below, creating a spectacle of geology and shadow that is truly awe-inspiring. It was the perfect spontaneous addition to our fall tour. |
| A crisp autumn morning in Ouray, the perfect launchpad for an unplanned adventure. |
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| First light catching the peaks above town, signaling a beautiful day ahead. |
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| The magnificent San Juan Mountains were our constant companion on the drive. |
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| Success! It's always a thrill to visit a new National Park. |
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| The ancient, twisted "fingerprints" of the two-billion-year-old rock. |
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| Nature's frame for a magnificent view at the Tomichi Point Overlook. |
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| The iconic Painted Wall, Colorado's tallest cliff, dropping over 2,000 feet to the river. |
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| One last spectacular view of the San Juans on the drive back to Ouray. |
Wherever you are today, I hope you leave a little room in your itinerary for a bonus day.
Don Bergquist – 09 October 2023 – Ouray, CO, USA
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