Balck Canyon of the Gunnison

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A gorgeous scene along the way to the park.
Dillion's Pinnacle.
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Our intrepid travellers have reached park number 3 of the ten to be visited this trip.
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Just inside the park the view is already steep and impressive.
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First encounter of the canyon is scary.
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The culprit! Gunnison River
Its responsible for the canyon.
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At the chasm view, WAY down there is the deepest part of the canyon, 2250 feet down.
Hanhan had to hold the railing when she looked over.
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This canyon is hidden in all these high mountains.
Completely unexpected.
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The deset was in full bloom during our visit.
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The painted wall of the canyon, highest cliff in Coloado at 2250 feet.
This was caused by molten rock being forced into cracks and crevasses in the extremely hard metamorphic rock.

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This entire canyon is extermely narrow, in some places only about 20 feet wide.
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Before being thrown off the edge.
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Hanhan has just pushed Gary off the edge.
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The narrowest part of the canyon.
A full sized river goes through there!
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A gnarled pinon pine.
Only the hardiest organisms survive this environment.
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The river flowing off into the distance.
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Just made for picture taking.
Hanhan, not the tree.
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Black Canyon isn't always black.
Hanhan says to tell you it has different colored dikes.
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After the rain stopped, the air has been cleaned.