Black Canyon of the Gunnison -- Wow is this deep!

We were excited to return to the Black Canyon, as six years earlier, we were escorted out the entrance gate due to a government shutdown.  We're so glad we returned.  First, we secured a beautiful campground site; even had electric and TV reception (but no cell service - can't have it all!).

Then off with our rental car on a drive to one of the many dams and reservoirs at the bottom of the canyon.  Glad we took a car to handle the grades of 16% to get to the bottom of the 2,000 foot canyon.  We began to understand why this is called the "Black" canyon.  The walls are so vertical and the canyon so deep, that the light rarely lights up the Gunnison River rushing through the chasm far below.

 

Over the next few days we drove both the south and north roads along the canyon walls.  Every view was just awesome!  Got out our E-Bikes and biked the south rim road. 

We also drove through the Curecanti National Recreation Area where there are many large reservoirs formed by the Gunnison River.  We hiked the Dillion Pinnacles and also hiked along the Gunnison River through part of the canyon.

We took a side trip to Crested Butte, as we have had this mountain resort town on our bucket list for many years.  A fun adventure town, with the coming snow, the highlight for all of the winter activities. We drove further north from CB along a gravel road which progressively became less passable.  The fall colors of the Aspen, the Gamble Oak, and all of the other foliage made for a spectacular drive. 
Ruthie found the Slogar restaurant in town for dinner.  Family style fried chicken and all of the sides....(better than Frankenmuth, Michigan?!)