Gunnison River Route, CO

In order to do the challenging Gunnison River Route you will need to obtain a backcountry permit. The NP only gives out 15 per day I believe so arrive early. The start of the hike actually begins at the South Rim Visitor Center on the Oak Flat Loop Trail. Follow the signs directing you to River Access and after about .3 miles you will see the start of the Gunnison Route clearly marked. Begin your steep decent on what will soon seem like level ground. Near the beginning of the trail a very steep section is accompanied by a chain that will help you tremendously. The trail will go down a chute full of scree. The rock cairns placed by previous hikers helped out on the route finding quite a bit. Without the cairns it would be much easier to go a wrong way. If you pay close attention it shouldn't be too bad. Near the bottom of the trail you will have to walk across a field of boulders and fallen rock. Spend some time relaxing and taking in the beauty of Black Canyon before you head up. There was some campsites at the bottom of the trail that would be a nice over night stay.

2017-06-27 hoopshiker