Hiking the Gunnison Route at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (+ Overlooks!)
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the least visited of Colorado’s 4 National Parks and is home to some of the steepest cliffs in North America. It gets its name Black Canyon not because of the color, but because some parts of the canyon receive only 33 total minutes of sunlight per day 😳 because of how steep and narrow the canyon is. We spent one jam-packed day in the park, hiking the intense and steep Gunnsion Route and exploring the South and North Rim overlooks. We loved this underrated gem!
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⌚Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Gunnison Route
14:30 South Rim Overlooks
18:55 North Rim Overlooks
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👋🏼 About us
Hi y’all! We’re Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) living on the road in our self-converted sprinter van! You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (we're a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature.
We help travelers spend less time (and stress!) planning their trip and more time enjoying it! Our detailed travel guides, CZcams videos, and travel resources share the must-visit local eats, popular and off the beaten path sights, and tons of tips to make planning your next adventure a whole lot easier.
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Please follow Leave No Trace principles when exploring the outdoors: lnt.org/why/7-principles/
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Watch our Colorado vlogs: czcams.com/play/PLZKRTK1yCEM5VdN7MxWEpdwEf5GoD_7-o.html
You two did an amazing job sharing the beauty of this National Park. I love the way you produce your videos. The planning, filming and narration are great! My wife and I visited and tent camped at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Early June of 2000. It is an amazing National Park. We did not do the extreme hiking that you did, but we did enjoy many of the overlooks along the south rim and did some mild hiking.
Thank you so much Alan, that means a lot! We are so glad you've gotten to experience the park. There are so many amazing overlooks and milder hikes to do there!
Wow, wow, and WOW! This was intense and freaking awesome!!!! That hike to the bottom looked pretty crazy and I know the camera doesn’t do it justice. This is a part of Colorado I’ve never been to but it’s on my list now! I just can’t get over how awesome it looks! You guys are awesome and my heart jumped when I saw the notification for this vlog while I was drinking my coffee this morning! 😍😁😊🥾🇺🇸😆🤩😲
The hike was insane! So much fun and a bit nerve racking at times, but very worth it to experience something so beautiful!
Videos like this is the reason I love following you two! I am not physically fit to do some of the hike y'all do but watching your videos makes me feel like I am there experiencing the hike with you! Loved this one a lot 😍!
We are so happy to virtually bring you with us! We realize not many folks will be up for this, so we are glad we got to share our experience!
That Gunnison route is just a crazy hike if you can call it a hike ! I did that last July while camping two nights in the park. That mile up and down from the Wilderness Boundary is ridiculous ! Slowest 2 miles of my life ! But so much fun. I sat on that same rock soaking my feet and had the bottom to myself for 30 minutes before another couple made it down. While I was taking a break going back up I sat with a young lady that had quit going down and was waiting for her boyfriend. I spotted a guy going off route in the distance and was able to yell and get his attention and turns out it was the guy she was waiting for ! What an adventure. PS, I was 66 when I did that. Thanks for the video reminder !
Wow way to go! Yeah it's not much of a "hike", that's for sure! And we thought the same thing, those last two miles were the longest ever!
That climb was a serious workout ..... good thing you had your "favorite day" trail mix :-)
Hahah we couldn't have done it without that sugar and caffeine boost 😂
Hey this is Bruce it was great talking with you today thanks for sharing.
john muir himself would be like "dang these guys are good"
Hahaha thanks Jason! (And John)
Frequently listed as one of the more underrated national parks. Looks like it has a unique beauty. Looking forward to visiting it. Thanks for documenting your time there so well. Your attention to detail is very much appreciated.
Thank you for the kind words! It’s a very unique park!
I love how you both balance being adventurous and vulnerable at the same time
Hahaha that was super unintentional, but wishing we had caught it when he said it!
You guys did such an amazing job filming this route while hiking such a steep and slick trail!!! You rocked as showing how beautiful this park is! I felt like I was right along with you while I watched this vlog on the TV! I loved seeing Kona during your break between parks!
Thank you! It was fun to film the hike, at first we weren’t sure if it would be that doable to film, but we are glad we could (and didn’t fall!) And Kona cuddles made for a great mid day break ❤️
I can’t believe how much busier it is there! It was only about 5 years ago the most recent time I did the Gunnison route and we just showed up late morning on a weekend, got a permit, and were the only 4 people there. Good to know that it now requires more planning to get a permit.
It's pretty crazy! We read a blog from last summer that said to show up 1-1.5 hours before they start handing them out. We likely wouldn't have gotten one had we done that. The parks are all so busy this summer! We hear it's not as bad in the off season though.
Wow! That was amazing! Very thankful y’all hiked the permit trail! Can’t imagine how breathtaking your “snack” spot was along the river!! Loved it!!!
We are SO glad we got to do that hike! It was the highlight of our time there!
Wow!! I bow to you & Adam for doing that hike!! Thank you both for showing me places I would never be able to see if not for your videos!!❤️
Thank you so much for watching! We are glad to bring you along!
Treacherous hike while capturing great scenery, you guys are ROCK STARS! Nice work!
Hahaha thank you!!!
You're videos always make me want to go back to the places we've already been and do them better like you two do!
What all have you done at black canyon?!
I'm impressed with you two, this hike is exactly why I subscribed to your channel. So few people would attempt this. You've carved out a nice CZcams space between just "tourists" and "hikers". I did this hike about a decade ago and my biggest regret afterwards was not planning to spend the entire day (minus up/down) down in the canyon. It was so beautiful and interesting down there!
Thank you so much, that means a lot! We really like to do hikes and experiences that are not always for everyone, so that those who cannot do them can still experience it! We so wish we could've stayed down there longer too! Had it not been 100 degrees and Kona waiting on us, we totally would have. Really hoping to camp down there next time, although the thought of lugging our backpacking packs down there is a bit intimidating haha
@@AdventuresofAplusK Ha,
Lugging them back up would be more than intimidating!!!
We're watching your video right now!! We love it and so does everyone else!!!
Our anticipation for Colorado is huge.
Greetings from Germany Angela and Frank
Thanks for journey to Gunnison River.
I tent camped at North Rim for 2 nights last summer. What a grand experience.
You two covered a lot in one day. Thanks, well done.
It was a busy day! We would recommend splitting it into two, but wanted to show y'all as much as possible! Tent camping at the north rim sounds awesome!
Wow. That is a awesome adventure. You guys are so brave and awesome, I love your videos. You take me to places I will never get to see. Be careful. And thx again
We're so glad to bring you along Darlene!
Oh my goodness, I can't believe I've been to Colorado on 2 separate trips, but on neither did I make it to this NP ❤️❤️❤️ So so pretty, you guys did it excellent justice! It's been a few months since you've shown me a NP I've not been to (not a complaint though as I love reminiscing) but lovely for you guys to show me a new one again 🙌 Loved Adam's (unintentional?) pun at the end 23:14 'overshadowed' 🤣 after you kept saying the camera wasn't doing justice due to the shadows!
So happy we could show you a new park! 🙌🏼 And that was totally an unintentional pun, but I love it!!
y’all are so fun to watch, i love everything about your videos!
Thank you so much for watching! ❤️❤️
Oh my goodness I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding watching you two hike down!! Thanks for taking us along as I am not this brave! Again another incredible video!!!! Bravo! ~Cara 😊
It was such a fun hike! Super hard, but very rewarding!
Hello Adventurers😊😊, so thrilled that you hiked down the canyon and even soaked your feet in River! Super cool. I knew you would struggle a bit getting out of the canyon...AND YOU DID IT!! Have you thought about Maroon Bells? I can't wait to see what's next. Great video👍👍👍👍👍!
It was tough, but little did we know we had a tougher hike ahead haha! And we wanted to visit the Maroon Bells, but couldn’t make it this time. We will be back to CO though!
Another under rated park in my opinion, I went in the season before this "route" was opened so I was unable to do it but the canyon itself is amazing! Excited to see where your adventures take you two next! :)
Any view of the canyon is a great one!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP looked amazing! I'm shocked that's in CO. You guys do an excellent job showing off these National Parks in a beautiful and professional way that inspires us to get outside and continue exploring ourselves 😊
Y'all are far too kind! Would LOVE to explore a NP with y'all!
Loved this one!! So glad to see you guys conquer this trail even though it was so challenging. I still can't believe the 33 mins of sunlight fact. Thank you for taking us along!
Also...that is def not trail mix!!!! 😂😂🙅🏼♀️🙅🏼♀️ But 100% delicious
Hahahah shhhh don't tell Adam that! I need to convince him to let me buy it for a backpacking trip soon lol!
Thanks for making this video! Very informative! Loved it.
Great experience. Intense hike with a 1,000 foot ladder with very irregular and slippery steps. Beautiful overlooks. Thanks for sharing and safe travels.
It was a crazy hike! One of our favorite national park experiences!
Thank you so much for sharing this video so Awesome
This is an incredible view of the gunnison!!! I traveled with my family and went to the rim and added the base to my bucket list. So beautiful!
Hahaha. That's SOME trail mix!!!
We cannot recommend hiking to the river more! And I’m trying to convince adam to let me buy that again! It’s soooo good, but not healthy 😂
Wow! Appreciate that you showed the difficulty of this one!
Super happy we got to do this hike!
Another great video. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Thank you for watching Courtney!
Thanks for showing us , your Awesome Video's !!!! Great job !!
Thanks for watching Robert!
You have the most awesome hikes!!! (You are so brave!) The canyon looked like something from a movie set...unreal but beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!
This one definitely had the nerves going at times! And we agree--it felt unreal down there!
You do an amazing job of showing awesome hikes and parks to explore. Love your work
Thanks so much Janine!
You two make some of the most enjoyable content. Thank you for sharing your experiences with the world.
I'm heading out on my own little adventure in two days! You guys make it look sooooooo fun!
Thank you so much for watching them! And have the best time on your adventure!
Absolutely beautiful! Good job on the hike and thanks for all the information. I have not visited Black Canyon but I am constantly adding new places to my must visit list by watching your videos. Thanks!
We know that feeling from watching others videos! Thank you so much!
You guys do such a great job at showing the beauty of the places you visit. You are top notch In showing the best trails. Thanks!
Thank you so much Diana!
Wow. You guys did this so we all can enjoy it! Thank you!
We’re happy to share!
Another great video. You two are our favorite to watch on You Tube and look forward to every video. Keep up the great work!
We really appreciate that Mike, thank you!
I really enjoy watching your videos. You deeply immerse yourselves in all the spots you film. I like how you explain the history of the places you visit too. I will be visiting some of these spots in Colorado in the near future and your videos have really helped me.
We are so happy to hear that Lisa!
Hi there, thanks for this wonderfull impressions. We have been at the BC south rim in April 2019 and (as this was not the first time for me visiting northern american national parks) this landscape was most impressing to me. I never had such a feeling because when we have been there it was an extremly rainy day, but this covered the landscape with a very special mood and light. I can't wait to be there next time!!! Thanks for sharing your impressions! Greetings from Germany!
This park is unlike anywhere else we have been in the US! We’re so glad you got to experience it! The fog would add some mystique 😍
Great video! Thumbs up to you guys going down to the river!!! We enjoyed the hikes on the “top” and the overlooks!
Thanks Debra!
So beautiful! You guys are giving me plenty of inspiration for my bucketlist of seeing all the National Parks. I know I'm not able to do that hike down into the canyon so I'm living vicariously through your adventures. I love your videos!
We are glad to share the hike for those who don't want to or can't do it themselves! There are so many other options in the park too!
Wow!! Another great adventure!! Great video!! You are both braver than I am to do that hike down into the canyon!!! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!!
Thank you so much for watching!
Thanks for this video. I hiked through this area back in 1969 with my brother and a Sherpa guide to boot (long story). Brings back a lot of good memories.
Oh wow! That’s very cool!
Congrats on that incredible hike to the bottom of the canyon! Good job. I visited the canyon briefly but had no idea it had so many overlooks. Hopefully I can spend more time next time! 👍
We like that you can still see the park in a short amount of time too!
Just got back from our 7-day trip to CO and Black Canyon NP, imo is way underrated for being the least visited park. This was actually my favorite park. Did the Oak Flat Loop Trail and that was a perfect for us. Nothing extreme like the trail you did 😅. Thanks for sharing.
We old timers always say; "Protect your tail, on the Gunnison trail. Yee-haa!!!:):)
Hahaha love it!
@@AdventuresofAplusK I may be gettin old, but there are somethings you just don't forget. It's a beautiful place. Thanks for the memories:)
Never heard of the park. This is beautiful.Thank you
We're glad we could share it with you!
Great job on a tough hike. I've been there a few times but I've never done that hike. Painted wall is my favorite viewpoint but I really enjoy hiking the Warner Point trail. Great video!
The painted wall was gorgeous! One of our favorite views as well!
Thanx I’m handicapped so enjoying your hikes as if I were there... love your dog & food Lol The overlooks you drive to are my style these days. Loved hiking back in the day but those are gone😜🌹Blessings!
Overlooks are amazing as well! Love seeing views without having to be tired after haha!
Another great video. As long as I have been watching all the different YT channels r/t hiking/van life I don't remember ever hearing about this National Park. Thank you for sharing your adventure! I think I could handle the North Rim hike.
We are so glad to share it! And there are a handful of other shorter and easier hikes we didn't get to check out too! It's a great park for all ages, hiking levels, and time limits (you could check out the overlooks pretty quickly).
Love you videos. I had no idea that park would be that beautiful.
We were very pleasantly surprised!
Loved This! 👍
Thanks for watching!
We love ur videos. Thanks for all the great views. We are senior's n can no longer do those type of hikes. So thanks again !
We’re glad we could bring you along!
I really really love your vlog. I spent the good portion of the holiday binging on your vlog. There's something so relatable and down to earth with both of you. You travel a lot which is such a privilege but i never felt that you were humble bragging or rubbing it into my face what a great life you're having compared to mine. Haha. That's probably just my envy too eating me alive when I watch travelling vlog. Best of luck!
Thank you so much! We never ever want anyone to feel like we are bragging about our life. It's a lot harder and more stressful than it looks lol! But we are beyond thankful to live it, share it, and hopefully (the ultimate goal) help others experience what we get to experience!
We just visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison based on your suggestion. It was Amazing! We did not climb down but toured the South Rim. It even snowed in May. Thanks!
That's awesome! We're glad you had a great time!
Great job !! Beyond impressive hike !
Thank you so much!
Love the content!
Thanks Brian! We're so glad!
Adjustable walking sticks are a big help
We're visiting this summer, and I found your video fantastically helpful. Thank you so much for the awesome video!
We are so glad to hear that! We also have some guides for this park on our site with even more info. Have a blast!
@@AdventuresofAplusK Thanks for the tip! I just went to your website. A WEALTH of information, which we're sure will come in handy!
Just found your Videos yesterday and watched all the Utah ones. This summer we will do many National Parks and this is one of them. But we will not do this hike. A little too tough at my age but I loved watching you two. Can't wait to show this to my husband.
Thank you so much for watching our Utah videos! There is still a lot of beauty to see without this hike in the park. It's such a cool place!
I watched this in preparation for my hike today- thank you! It was super informative. It hike was awesome and am glad I did it.
Your content is awesome- perfect mix of information and entertainment!
( had to laugh when Adam was talking about doing the second hike- he sounded tired😁, you guys had a full day for sure)
We’re glad it was helpful! That hike is a doozy! Thank you for watching!
You two have wonderful videos, I have been there but never did the hike like you! Waiting to see moe
Thank you Lena!
One of the pictures at the beginning, after the 2 guys using the drill. The shot of the dirt road with a trail going off to the right. It's an old stagecoach road. In spots it's rough. I use to camp 3 miles back in off the dirt road. It is beautiful in there.
Oh how cool!
It's such a nice hidden gem of a national park. I wanted to do that hike but I was alone and didn't think it was smart to go alone. Glad you guys got to do it.
Definitely wise to go with someone else! It was really helpful to have an extra set of eyes and guidance at times. We hope you can do it someday!
I can’t say enough about your channel it is awesome! The energy I sense coming from you guys is very refreshing, I do believe that what I see on camera of your personality is the same off camera as well. Thanks for what you guys are doing! God bless…
Thank you, Larry! That means a lot to us!
You crazy kids did it again! Hiked the trails not to many others would dare. We enjoyed seeing the canyon through your eyes! Safe hiking from Laurie and Rick
We are loving hiking some of the tougher trails lately!
Beautiful, but that route is crazy, I would never be able to do it so thank you for sharing.
Of course!
We been there today and last night stay in north rim and right it's more to see in south rim. Congrats guys that was awesome trail. We just drive down there in east portal in our van.
Yes the south rim does have more to see, but both are fun to visit! We didn't get to drive down East Portal, but will next time! Thanks for watching!
Super cool area to explore! The canyons awesome and that is some serious elevation gain and loss! Will definitely have to check this out in future trips to CO!
It’s such a unique hike, you gotta try it!
Loved watching this video and reliving the “Gunnison Route” with you two! We loved the play by play on what was a very memorable trail for us (lots of highs and lows, literally, for such a short hike). So worth it and quite an experience. Keep up the good work on these great videos. We are off to the Durango/San Juan’s in a few weeks and are getting some great information off of your clips from that area.
That hike is type 2 fun! Tough in the moment, but so awesome to look back on!
Be sure to check out our website as well. We have guides and itineraries for SW Colorado that may help you in your planning!
Been to that park. No, not the Grand Canyon but awesome in its own way. Must see. So, Kona is my favorite dog behind my own shadow. I love Kona. My Shadow is a Standard Poddle, and we have paddle boarded, kayaked and hiked all over the Sierra. Poodles are not fragile as I suspect most suspect. Kona is a wonderful doggie I love how you show her on your adventures and cater to her as well. That alone makes me watch. I love the upbeat feel of your presentations. After I watch your vids, I have trouble letting down. They are so uplifting. Don't much care about the dissecting of the food items but just jump through those. Clearly, many like so good you do, and I understand.
Gunnison is so stunning! We love our Kona bear! We take here everywhere we can! We love our food and love sharing it. Thank you so much and thanks for watching!
The heat is no joke! That was an amazing hike that I enjoyed a lot (vicariously) so good to have you guys to do those extreme ones for us!!! Excellent video!!!
Hiking in the heat is NO fun! It started to really warm up by the time we hiked up the canyon!
@@AdventuresofAplusK you're amazing!!!
Thank You Again! 🙏
Thanks for watching!
Bravo.....I can't add much more praise than many of the comments below.....keep the great VLOGs coming!
Thank you so much! And we have some good ones coming up!
The effort you are putting in these beautiful videos,and the fun you are creating them it's absolutely amazing! Thank you guys! Hi to Kona!
Thank you so much! We have been working super hard on these in the last year! So we are glad you enjoy them 🙌🏼
@@AdventuresofAplusK What you get to see, most people just dream off,and will be a memory for ever.Your kids will be very proud of you! Be safe!
We were there last September. It is beautiful ! Thank you for taking me on the extreme hike that we did NOT attempt lol !
Absolutely!!
Wowooowww!
I was with you in spirit. You two are in great shape!!! Hi Kona 🐶
Hahah happy to have you hike in spirit!
Ah! We are going here in the fall and cannot wait 😆
Have an awesome time!!
Another outstanding video & perfect timing. We can only do the “drive to short clear walking paths view” type National Park visit. We will be staying in Montrose & because of you both, we have a plan. I cannot thank you both enough because this video accomplished everything we were looking for. Black Cannon-South Rim here we come. Wishing you joy, health & continuous blessings.
That makes us so happy to hear! Montrose is a nice little town and Ridgway is nice too! And then if you have time to go to Ouray we HIGHLY recommend that! I know those are a bit out of the way, but just saying. We hope y'all have a fantastic trip!
Thanks for the preview! We are putting this on our bucket list. I wish the permit can be secured online like what other NPs have! We love you!
That would definitely save a lot of time sitting and waiting!
Good morning, I came across your channel as i was researching Utah and Colorado. I think i watched every video of you two in the area. Thank you for your upbeat wonderful videos. You captured each hike so well and including the length and difficulty was really helpful for me. I am active, but have a chronic Achilles injury so i am limited in miles. Your videos were so helpful! PS you are a really strong bad ass couple. I Love it. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching Jennifer! We are so glad you found the videos to be helpful! ❤️
Nicely done
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! I've always wanted to see what the bottom of the canyon looked like, or at least the trail down, and now I know. It is too bad that the East Portal road is closed because that is a fantastic way to see part of the canyon and learn that there was a town down there during the construction of the water tunnel. In May we went to the North Rim for the first time in all the times we've visited the park. What a different view you get of the canyon and you see what is below the South Rim that most people don't see. Can't wait for the next video. Travel Safe.
We are so happy we could show you! We definitely want to drive the East Portal road next time if it’s back open.
@@AdventuresofAplusK From the website, it will be closed all summer 2021. Next time.
I've always wondered what hiking into this canyon would be like. Awesome Video! Also, your dog totally reminds me of Falcor from the Neverending story
Hahaha we haven't heard that before!
❤❤❤❤ your videos
Definitely an extreme trail. Knowing that the return trip would be even harder would keep me from doing it anyway.
Black canyon is underrated and I would guess most Coloradoans don't know it's there. I was there in 1994 and 1996.
It's definitely underrated!
First of all - Great video, Thx. During a solo road-trip i 2018, I visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and to be honest - I didn't dare the Gunnison route alone. But as I wanted to see and feel the river up close, I drove down the East Portal Road - which really can be recommended if you for some reason don't have the ability to hike down the steep route. Thanks again for some great vlogs. Best wished for your continous adventures :-)
Unfortunately that road is currently closed, but we would like to try that next time too!
This was absolutely amazing to watch! The views were too beautiful for words! Awesome job! Kathryn I love your sunglasses! Please share where you purchased them. Thanks.
We’re glad you enjoyed it! And they are Oakley’s! I have had them for probably 10 years and I don’t think they sell my specific model anymore 😔
I’m excited for your next video! I recommend hiking to Columbine Lake. It’s a beautiful alpine lake a few miles north of Silverton.
That was one of the options we considered! But we hiked to a different lake(s). Next time hopefully!
Beautiful place
We’re glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
I've been here twice. Once we a kid and again when we took out children, I had no idea that you could go to the bottom. I would love to see the canyon from the river!
It is amazing from the river! Highly recommend it!
Super !
Wow, that hike was serious. Congrats on conquering it. About 25 or 30 years ago I took a helicopter tour over the canyon. I liked your views from in the canyon better.
Oh wow a helicopter tour sounds cool!
Headed there in September!!! What amazing hikes and views. Wish I was 30 years younger 😂
We hope you have a great trip! Thanks for watching!
Way good video….and crazy wild hike to the bottom. Thank goodness for you two young adventurers to do that and vlog it….this old guy would have died! 👨🏻🦳 but now I can say I saw it. Thanks and hopefully you did find some color weather and relief from the horrendous heat. 😓
So glad to virtually have you hike it with us! And thankfully we found some cooler temperatures and did not melt lol!
Incredible Day! Looks so fun...I'd love to take that route to the river some day. And yes...booooooo to Cicadas.
It’s a must do if you visit the park and are able! And we hate cicadas soooo much!