The Grand Canyon seems to get all of the attention when it comes to river-carved abysses in the United States. However, other naturally formed gorges deserve some of that attention as well. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a canyon of mystery and intrigue or as Rudyard Kipling wrote, “glory and a wonder.” Its shear cliffs provide an impressive sight different from Arizona’s grand dame. Instead of sweeping views stretching for miles, the Black Canyon is narrow and deep. This is how it got its name. Due to these physical features, sunlight does not penetrate the canyon much during the day casting the walls in shadow. This causes the stone to appear black, which it is not.
My cousins and I took the opportunity to experience this wonder while traveling through Colorado. We visited the south rim and marveled at this natural wonder from various viewpoints along the scenic drive. We took short strolls to various overlooks that made for fabulous photo opportunities. However, I enjoyed the moments when I could just sit alone and gaze into the depths of this natural wonder.
The Painted Wall
One of the highlights is the Painted Wall. The tallest cliff in Colorado boasts a magnificent stone pattern with veins of crystalized stone run through appearing as an abstract painting. The cliff at nearly 2,250 feet tall is just 50 feet shy of being as tall as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Not only do you get multiple views of this glorious cliff face at the viewpoint, you can also see all the way down to the mighty river that carved this canyon. If that doesn’t cause you to wonder in awe, I’m not sure what would.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park only consists of a short stretch of the actual canyon, but with national recreation areas protecting the other sections, the area provides many options for experiencing this beautiful place.
