Hi! I’m Allie and I sold everything in 2020 to live solo in my RV full time. Traveling the United States, I camp mostly in public lands for free as I hike, bike and seek out quiet spots in nature.
5.26.22 Black Canyon of Gunnison Route Trail in Colorado
In my last post I arrived in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to hike and scored a great campsite within the park.
Since I was staying in the park I figured I’d take on getting down to the bottom of the canyon, I quickly found out this is a feat that should not be taken lightly.
Getting the Permit to Hike Down Black Canyon of the Gunnison
I read that the trail down the canyon was tough but doable for most hikers. I think I classify as “most hikers” so I figured I’d make an attempt at it.
To get to the bottom you need a back country permit that is only issued the day before after 4 PM at the visitor’s center.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is not a very popular National Park, I didn’t even know it existed until I strolled through the nearby town of Montrose, Colorado in 2021. So I mistakingly thought that it wouldn’t be very hard to get that permit.
I was wrong. I literally arrived at the visitor’s center at 4:15 PM, 15 minutes after the permits are released, and scored one of the last 2 permits for the next day. Whew! Just in time! I won’t take getting a back country permit for granted again.
Scrambling Down Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The route down the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is only 1.3 miles. Sure, only about a mile. Of scree (loose rock) and, according to my Alltrails recording, average grades of 40-70%. If I knew this before taking on this adventure would I have still done it? Hell ya!
To call this scramble a hike is a stretch.
Sure, I started off on my feet (that part is called the Oak Flat Trail) yet once you pass what I now refer to “the point of no return sign” that begins to lead you down the canyon, I had AT LEAST a 3 point contact with the ground all the way down – any combination of hands, feet and butt. This method of getting down to the bottom was to my 50 year old advantage, I seem to fall in slow motion these days, lol, but the younger hikers were passing me sliding down on 2 feet sometimes with a smile and sometimes with a tired grin.
As I descended I recalled the ranger at the visitor center mentioning “this is not a trail but a route“. I didn’t ask her to clarify, maybe I was too sacred to know. But I now know that she basically meant I was following a water route.
Let me make it clear, I’m not complaining, just making light of the fact that at times I honestly didn’t want to scramble anymore and actually stand up but the angle and/or the scree (loose rock) would not let me.
Despite the struggle this is an amazing adventure! There were 2 80-foot chains that I didn’t really need on the way down, my butt works just as good for me as a method to advance forward, but kept a hand on as I slid down but definitely used on the way up.
It took me a little over 3 hours to complete the 2.7 mile jaunt and that was spending about 30 minutes at the bottom enjoying the Gunnison River.
That last images of of me at the end of the hike – freaking tired! (LOL)
Did I enjoy this “hike”? Hell ya. I can’t help but feel strong at 50 to have completed a trip the young men on the route said was “no joke”.
Would I do it again? Hell no. Ok, well, maybe. Wanna go with me?
What Others Say About the Gunnison Route Trail
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I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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