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Free Traveling Guides » States » Colorado » National Parks
South Rim Road
South Rim Road is a 13 mile (20.9 km) road that trails the condescending south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Black Canyon is a huge, deep, precipitous gorge lacerated out of the ancient bedrock by the spectacular Gunnison River. The South Rim Road offers not only rare opportunities for nature study but also a wealth of breathtaking views, geologic lessons, and recreational activities. Great views of the Canyon are offered by as many as 12 overlooks situated along the Road. Most of these viewpoints can be accessed by walking a short trail.
The towering cliffs in the area provide exciting opportunities to the valiant rock climbers. Other tourist activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing. A wide variety of birds and animals like raptors, swallows, mule deer, towhees, porcupines, and coyotes can also be spotted along the forested canyon rim. The South Rim also offers a number of short, easy trails that are good for exploring this area by foot. These include the Rim Rock trail, the Oak Flat Trail, the Warner Point Nature Trail, and the Uplands Trail. The longer, strenuous hikes are offered only to the experienced hikers.
The major tourist attractions along the South Rim Road include the Black Canyon, Pulpit Rock Overlook, Tomichi Point, East Portal, Painted Wall View, Chasm View, High Point, and the Visitor Center. The Pulpit Rock overlook provides excellent views of a maze of towers, stone pillars, vertical fins, spires, and turrets protruding from the canyon walls. Besides, one can also view the sturdy Douglas firs and the Rocky Mountain white oaks, which have taken root on the little plateaus along the cliff. In order to enjoy the scenic Road to the fullest, one should allow at least 2-3 hours driving the 7 miles west from the park entrance to the end of South Rim Road.
The Painted Wall Overlook, on the other hand, offers a spectacular vista of the highest rock wall in Colorado. This natural masterwork rises to about 1,800 ft (548.6 m) from the river. It flaunts pink pegmatite veins running through gray-black rock, giving it an appearance of a slab of marble tinted with stunning emerald green algae. High Point is the summit of the South Rim and offers panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains to the south, the Grand Mesa to the north, the Black Canyon widening beyond the park’s western boundary, and the West Elk Mountains to the Northeast. The South Rim Road is open to the public from early April to mid-November.
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Top 5 National Parks
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