Boat Tour Into The Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Montrose, Colorado (96 degrees, hot, no humidity, bright blue skies with a cooling breeze- - Thank God)

"We entered a gorge

remote from the sun

where a rock splintered river roared ten feet below the track...

There was a glory and a wonder and a mystery

about that wild ride which I felt keenly"

Rudyard  Kipling, 1889

Boat Tour

232 steps down and 232 steps up

There are two hundred and thirty two step down to the river, most without a handrail, (remember you will also have to go back up), one half mile hike to boat dock, allow one and half hours, bring two quarts of water per person, don't be late, we will leave without you...no refunds. 

These were the instructions for a boat trip offered by the Black Canyon National Park which several folks had recommended to us. We both have had knee replacements (John most recently) and it had been very hot. Should we sign up...well of coarse. Nothing ventured...nothing gained. We are sure glad we did! We got there early and took our time and it worked out perfectly.

Trail used to be the track of the scenic railroad 

The river was not as roaring as it must of been when Mr. Kipling visited in 1889 but it was beautiful nonetheless. We met up with a group of 42 folks, our captain, and park ranger and spent a lovely one and half  hours going down and up the Morrow Point Reservoir.


At the beginning of our trip the river was ten feet deep and the black canyon walls were 400 feet tall. At the turn around point the cliffs soared 2000 feet and the water was 180 feet deep. 

My favorite guy

Park Ranger Max told us lots of information about the geology of the rocks, the reservoir,  and a railroad which at one time offered scenic tours along the banks of the river. He also gave us lots of time just to drink in all the beauty. Now it's your turn to see it too. 

Ranger Max our guide for the boat trip

Curecanti Needle  (featured on the train brochure to lure customers to this area)

Land slide

Train advertisement was drawn right at this point (compare sign to scenery)

Ranger Max and his Junior Rangers

Well it's now time to hike back and go up all those steps. It sure was worth the effort. Our Park Ranger Max really did a great job. This trip was  a bargain at $24/person.  We have also planned some fun road trips too. Be sure to check back soon. Montrose is such a great place to visit many beautiful places in Colorado. Next time we return it will be for a month, if not a season.