Visit Montrose Visitor Guide - 26

hiking
Hiking Near Montrose
Black Canyon
National Park
Easy to strenuous
Seeing the Black Canyon from
convenient overlooks is aweinspiring,
but hikes at the
canyon take the experience to
a whole new level. There are
several magnificent trails in the
Black Canyon National Park
ranging from easy to extreme.
Gunnison Gorge National
Conservation Area
Easy to strenuous
Renowned for some of the
west's wildest, most diverse
landscapes, the gorge draws
visitors to its spectacular
geology, challenging white
water, and Gold Medal trout
fishing. One of the best ways
to enjoy the gorge is with a
good pair of hiking boots,
especially in the Gunnison
Gorge Wilderness, which is offlimits
to mechanized modes
of transportation.
The majestic sandstone
canyons, adobe badland
formations, and diverse plant
populations and ecosystems
in the GGNCA naturally give
way to primitive winding
roads and trails just right for
hiking, biking, horseback
riding, and motorized sports in
designated areas.
There are seven trails of varying
length and intensity leading into
the wilderness area and along
its rim, all of which are accessed
via
roads
recommended
high clearance, 4WD vehicles.
Ute Trail, one of the most
popular and longest wilderness
routes, is a 3.5 mile trek (one
way) into the gorge with
incredible views of the canyon
and access to about a mile of
Gold Medal water fishing on the
Gunnison River.
Bighorn Trail is a 1.5 mile hike
(one way) with spectacular
views of the river from the rim
of the inner gorge and can be
hiked as a loop between Duncan
and Bobcat trailheads using the
Red Rocks-Nighthorse Trail for
the return leg. This trail offers
solitude for getting in tune with
nature.
If you are planning to strike
out on a trail in the GGNCA,
don't forget to bring plenty of
water and essential wilderness
supplies.
Curecanti National
Recreation Area
Easy to strenuous
East of town and adjacent to
the eastern side of the Black
Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park is the Curecanti
National Recreation Area.
Known primarily for exceptional
fishing and boating, Blue Mesa
Reservoir also serves up some
compelling options for hiking.
for
Dillon Pinnacles
Easy
Located in Curecanti National
Recreation Area, the trail begins
along the edge of Blue Mesa
Reservoir and ends at the base
of the Dillon Pinnacles. It is an
easy hike at 3.7 miles round
trip and can be done in all
seasons with great photography
opportunities along the way.
Mesa Creek Trail
Duncan Trail
Easy
Take in the historical narrow
gauge railroad displays at
Cimarron and follow Cimarron
Creek into the sheerwalled
depths of the Black Canyon. The
Mesa Creek Trail begins near
the parking area and crosses a
footbridge over the Gunnison
River. An easy to moderate 1.5
mile hike, the trail is a good way
to take a break from the road
and get a unique perspective
of the canyon. Morrow Point
Dam, one of three dams on the
Gunnison River through the
Black Canyon, is visible from
the parking area, providing
another point of interest on the
excursion.
26 VISITMONTROSE.COM
Moderate
The Duncan Trail is a moderate
and rugged trail found in the
Gunnison Gorge National
Conservation Area. The trail
begins on top of the gorge
in a high-desert environment
and quickly descends to the
Gunnison River, just north of
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park. The trail is
approximately 3 miles round
trip but can be made longer by
exploring the riverbank once
you've reached the Gunnison
River. This is a great hike
for fishermen as it provides
secluded access to Gold
Medal waters.
Big Dominguez Trail
Easy
Located in the DominguezEscalante
National Conservation
Area, this desert hike features
petroglyphs, the Gunnison River,
bighorn sheep, and beautiful
sandstone rock formations.
This trail can be accessed in
all seasons and can be scaled
anywhere from 3 to 14 miles,
depending on your stamina
and schedule.
photo credit: Taryn Hill
photo credit: Cory Cavello
http://www.VISITMONTROSE.COM
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