We drove to the North Rim at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park this morning. We hiked the North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point and on to Green Mountain., overall 7.25 miles with 1,000 ft of gain. View of Exclamation Point on the right our first destination.
View looking towards Green Mountain near the beginning of the trail
This bunny watched us near the trail.
We saw some of the oak leaves showing their fall colors.
Views into the canyon from the North Vista Trail
At Exclamation Point, we found the early morning sun in our eyes looking east up the canyon. We decided to come back after we hiked up to Green Mountain, when the sun would be higher in the sky.
View to the west from Exclamation Point
Most of the hike from Exclamation Point to Green Mountain is in the woods, but we did have some views looking down into the canyon as the trail got higher.
These steps were a welcome site as they were the last bit of trail up to the top of Green Mountain (8,563').
Near the top of Green Mountain, view looking down into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
There is a loop trail on top of Green Mountain, here we could see over the shrubs towards the southwest.
The sun was higher in the sky after our early lunch break on Green Mountain. We found the light better for photo taking on our hike back down the trail.
more fall color
Back at the Exclamation Point Trail
Views on our way back to the trailhead.
From the Visitor Center on the south side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park we combined 3 trails to make a 3 mile loop with 480 ft. of overall loss/gain. We started on the Oak Flat Loop Trail, going counterclockwise on that loop. First view of the canyon
Dropping down a short ways into the canyon.
Having part of the canyon walls rise above us as we descend down along the trail.
Enjoying the early fall colors along the trail.
Some areas along the trail had nice open views.
Other areas had partial views into the canyon.
Going back up on the loop.
Hiking through the oak trees.
More views of the canyon as we continue up the Oak Flat Loop Trail.
Last look of the canyon before we head up the Uplands Trail from the Oak Flat Loop Trail.
A couple of views along the Uplands Trail which joins the Oak Flat Loop Trail with the Rim Rock Nature Trail.
First look at the canyon as we head down the Rim Rock Nature Trail from the Uplands Trail.
Tree growing on the edge of the canyon rim.
Views along the Rim Rock Nature Trail
I walked out on this rocky outcropping for a couple of photos.
