Another beautiful day awaited us as we unzipped the tent. Still somewhat fresh of course but blue skies and sunshine. Big breakfast this morning as Zoe had planned a hike to the bottom of the Canyon. There are 3 ‘routes’ down to the bottom of the Canyon from the south rim, one that looked extremely steep, one that takes a full day and best done over 2 days and an ‘easier one’ that we were going to attempt.
In order to be allowed to go down into the canyon, hikers must register with the rangers at the visitor center and obtain a ‘wilderness permit’. The idea is that they know who is down there and can give you instructions on how to get there and back and most of all, an idea of the dangers ahead.
Now, in my mind we were going to hike down a streneous trail, something we have done before and Rangers always exaggerate when it comes to the degree of difficulty of a hike… Not this time!
With our ‘wilderness permit’ in hand we set off on our trek. Starting on a nature trail for the first 10 minutes everything was peachy. We got to the sign signaling the start of our track down into the canyon. That’s where things slowly started to indicated what we were about to head into. The track became steeper, more loose rocks and tree roots, and it kept getting worse from there!
Soon enough the track turned into loose rubble in one of the gullies, there is no signposting, in one section chains had been installed to aid the decent but for the best part is was a 60 to 80% grade downhill on lose rock and tree roots. The way down was quite tough as our feet kept losing traction on the loose ground but… gravity was working with us and within just over an hour we were at the bottom enjoying views of the Gunnison river.
The steep rocky gully down to the river
We spent about 30 minutes down in the riverbed soaking up the sun, enjoying the peace and quiet (we were the only ones down there) and taking pictures of the scenery.
At around 11 we started our accent something I was not looking forward to. As much as I enjoy a good hike, this ‘near vertical’ 1 km accent was not my thing! Zoe who weighs next to nothing and was designed and built in New Zealand (land of the steep hills) climbed up the track like a squirrel up a tree… me in the other hand, with my moose legs and my slightly overweight frame ended up cursing best part of the way up! Let’s just say I wasn’t the happiest hiker in the park that day!
The stunning views of the Gunnison river deep down in the Black Canyon
I told Zoe to go ahead and wait for me at the top so I could direct my frustration and anger at the rocks, trees and anything else around me rather than to her (it was kind of her idea to come down here!) Anyway, the climb back up took a little under 2 hours which wasn’t bad and after a 20 minute rest in the sun I was ready to face the world again!
Still smiling on the way down
The rest of the afternoon was spent going to provision in town, lounging at the campsite and preparing dinner.
TA
HAHAHA… This was very funny Tanguy ! You made me laugh !
Where you still smiling on the way up ?
I guess before you went down you knew you had to come up again didn’t you ?
Anyway you did it !
Strange enough Zoe didn’t feel any pain on her knee especially by getting down there !
The sound of the river down there must be awesome I can imagine – peaceful….
Lets go for the next exercices Tanguy ! Vet uw benen maar goed in jongen !
xx Mama
Age, weight and overall physical condition played against you Tanguy, nothing to complain: you made it out again, but it can be frustrating, oh yes!
Your list of National Parks visited is growing impressively long, you trying to do all?
The black rocks must have been a welcome change from the rusty ones!
Baci and up to day 42 (6 weeks already and still far to go)