HIKING OAK FLAT LOOP TRAIL Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller

Date: July 17, 2022

We began hiking this south rim 2.3-mile trail which was rated difficult as it dropped 400 feet into the canyon down to about 7,800 feet elevation. It was a steep trail, open to the sun at first with lots of sage, wildflowers, and then thankfully it became shaded with aspen trees and Douglas fir trees. We saw many chipmunks, heard the whistle of marmots and the occasional trail opening gave us spectacular views of the canyon far below. Although we didn’t see any, we were watchful for bears, mule deer and porcupines. Carrying a heavy backpack containing lots of water, I was gasping for breath as we ascended back up the trail in the 84-degree weather.

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