Day 7: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (North Rim)
Overlooks on North Rim Road
Monday, September 19, 2022 was dedicated to exploring the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, known for being the quieter, less crowded, and more primitive side of the park.
Spanning 4.5 miles, North Rim Drive Road features five overlooks: Kneeling Camel View, Island Peaks View, Big Island Overlook, Balanced Rock Overlook, and The Narrows. I started all the way at the end of the road at Kneeling Camel View, arriving around 8am, and gradually made my way back to the Visitor Center, stopping at each of the overlooks along the way. Each one required only a short walk from the parking area.
In addition to its five overlooks, the North Rim also has four hiking trails:
Chasm View Nature Trail (0.33 miles round-trip)
North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point (3 miles round-trip)
Green Mountain Trail (7 miles round-trip)
Deadhorse Trail (5 miles round-trip)
As much as I wanted to hike them all, I chose to tackle the North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point and the Chasm View Nature Trail.
North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point
North Vista Trail conveniently starts from the Ranger Station parking lot, where I ended up after driving the entire North Rim Drive. The trail passes through sage and oak brush, then meanders along the canyon rim through a forest of pines and junipers, offering numerous overlooks of the SOB Draw and the inner canyon. Exclamation Point boasts one of the park’s most breathtaking views, offering a direct perspective into the Black Canyon itself. It took me about 2 hours to complete the 3-mile out-and-back hike.
Chasm View Nature Trail
After completing the North Vista Trail, I drove to the Chasm View Nature Trail, located near the North Rim Campground. This short hiking trail loops around the campground and provides stunning views of the Painted Wall, with the chance to spot visitors on the South Rim’s overlooks across the canyon. It took me about 50 minutes to complete the 0.75-mile hike.
Dinner at Horsefly Brewery
I left the North Rim around 3:30pm to drive 1.5 hours back to my hotel. After freshening up and changing clothes, I treated myself to dinner at Horsefly Brewing Company. Located in the heart of downtown Montrose, Horsefly Brewery offers a wide selection of handcrafted beers, delicious pub fare, and a fantastic patio for enjoying the evening.
