Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: July 17, 2022
This national park in western Colorado, founded in 1999, is one of America’s most breathtaking scenic treasures. Carved through solid granite, the dark canyon walls plunge 1,800 feet to 2,700 feet to the Gunnison River below. The river is wild and rocky and only for experienced kayakers. The river drops 34 feet per mile through the entire canyon. The national park contains 12 miles of the 48-mile river. The canyon gets its name because parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight each day. The road through the park took us along the south rim canyon and many lookout points. We toured the visitor center and then hiked on three challenging trails.
We had astounding views from the canyon rim at the visitor center at an elevation of 8,200 feet. I wish we would have returned at night as the canyon area offers some of the nation’s darkest night skies with excellent views of the galaxies, stars, and planets.
