Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
Black Canyon is an impressive crack in the shrub covered plane of Western Colorado. The rolling landscape abruptly plunges down rocky cliffs to the Gunnision river below. The steep walls leave the canyon in "black" shadows for most of the day. If the Grand Canyon was chiseled out with a blunt instrument; then Black Canyon was cut with a thin sharp blade.
Different rock strata are visible in the canyon walls. There are vertical
strips of light colored rock that, while molten, forced its way up into
fissures of the darker upper layers. The dark rock is softer, so it erodes
away faster, leaving behind fins of the lighter rock, sticking out of the
canyon walls. This gives the canyon a wonderful sharp jagged look.
Its possible to hike to the bottom, but not recommended- there are no marked
trails, and you need a permit.
All images © John Donohue, 1995,1996