The Black Canyon of the Gunnison

While we were at Montrose we toured...

One of the men at the Elk's told us to be sure to see the river and since there was a virtual geocache there we went. It was beautiful and we learned about the Gunnison Tunnel. At the little structure on the left they built a tunnel to carry water 6 miles through the mountain to the west side where Montrose is. They also started the tunnel from the Montrose side. It was built in the early 1900's and only missed by 2 inches. It carries 1100 cu ft of water a second. The oxen had to take the tailings up a 30% grade. The tailings were used to create the road we came down. Now it is a 16% grade.

 

At the top we could see some of the mountains off in the distance. It was hazy from the forest fires.

Donna likes twisty trees.

We both liked the views. Bob insisted we had been on the north rim. Donna didn't remember doing it and when we got home we discovered we had been to both rims several years before.

  See the frog?

Way down is the river.

  A couple of guys were climbing back up.
 Painted walls.