Date: 5/10/2013
Who: Michelle, Sammy and myself
Length: 2.8 miles
Time: about 2 hours
Weather: 65 degrees, sunny

The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area and Wilderness is located northwest of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, near Montrose, Colorado. We spent the weekend in Montrose, and this hike was part of our exploration of the area. It started out with a $20 boat-shuttle across the Gunnison River, courtesy of the Gunnison River Pleasure Park, a private business at the north entrance of the gorge. The shuttle fee included a rowboat rental, which they left us to get back across.

The river is shallow enough that it appears possible to wade across, but in order to do so one should be prepared with appropriate clothing and extra shoes. The trail we took follows the east bank of the Gunnison for about 3 miles, in and back. We completed a little less than 1/2 of the distance. The trail on the west bank probably would have been easier, but less adventurous. The west bank trailhead is accessible by car, and the trail appears wider and less rugged than the east bank trail.

This area looks popular for fly-fishing. We saw our first wildflowers of the year on this hike–Globe Mallow. Michelle really liked the colorful rocks near the river.

This hike followed the BLUE line:

View Colorado Chris Hikes in a larger map