Black Canyon:

A Century Later

Montrose, Colorado

Today’s intrepid river-runners navigate the Gunnison River through Black Canyon National Park in less than a day. However, in August, 1901, the 33 mile trip from Cimarron to Olathe via the Black Canyon took nine days.

William Torrence, superintendent of the Montrose Electric Light and Power Company, and Abraham Lincoln Fellows, hydrographer with the U.S. Geological Survey based in Montrose, were the first men to travel through the canyon at river level. Their feat provided the engineering data which enabled a water diversion tunnel to be built in 1909, opening the Uncompahgre Valley to irrigated agriculture, which is still an economic mainstay of the region.

Since the turn of the last century, the Black Canyon has become a commercial asset, as well. It became a National Monument in 1933, and a National Park in 1999. Tourists can drive the 14 miles of the south rim, using the overlooks for photo opportunities, or hike short trails which lead to the rim edges. They can observe some of the oldest rocks on earth, estimated at 1.7 billion years of age.

Additionally, the three hydroelectric dams on the Gunnison River upstream from the park generate income, as well as electricity. Peak spring run-off has been calculated at 12,000 cubic feet per second, which converts to 2.75 million horsepower in environmentally friendly energy.

At its narrowest, 40 feet separate the north from the south side of the canyon. Back country hikers can pick their way down 2000 from rim to river, observing flora and fauna as they go.

An ancient Pinyon-Juniper forest can be found at the west end of the north rim. Oak brush dominates the south rim, and is home to mule deer and elk. At the river, the riparian ecology includes serviceberry, willows and cottonwoods. One notable inhabitant of this area is the water ouzel, or dipper bird.

The north rim, 16 miles south of Crawford, is less developed than the south, and provides its own unique wilderness experiences.

Recreational opportunities provided by Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park include fishing, climbing and hiking in the summer. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities. Wildlife watching can be done year-round.

Visitors to the Black Canyon come from around the world. It was “worth the trip from Chicago,” said Marcia and Tim Emmitt.

“Outrageous scenery!” echoed Jackie Colombe of New York.

“Precioso!” was Spain’s Juan Dominguez’s comment.

Miriam Hornstein, seasonal park employee, said that she sees a large number of school groups visit. The Black Canyon “leaves an impression” on all of them.

Reverend Mark Warner, whose media campaign in the 1930s on behalf of the canyon garnered governmental attention, said, “The real test by which the value of a scenic and recreational attraction is determined lies in its powers to make and keep friends. In this regard, the Black Canyon needs no defenders. It is constantly winning new admirers from all sections of the land, and loses none of its old friends of other years.”