Hiking with Paul

MOSQUITO COILS

You need to bring a pack of mosquito coils, otherwise your trip will be quite miserable.

BACK PACK

The most important thing about a backpack is that it fits your back well. Don't pay a penny for the brand name, that's nothing but a scam anyway. There are completely unknown brands that are much better than the biggest brands in the industry.

MULTI PURPOSE TOOL

Whatever brand you choose make sure it's of high quality. The stores are full of cheap junk, get a good one, it could mean the difference between life an death.

FIRST AID

Always bring one of those little first aid kits in case you get injured.

STEEL WIRE

Steel wire is an excellent thing to bring. You never know what you're going to use it for but you always end up using it for something. This is specially true in a wilderness emergency.

TARP

If you don't bring a tarp you'll regret it.

STOVE

As any well experienced hiker will tell you the best way to enjoy the outdoors is to live off the land just like our ancestors. That means you eat fish you catch and you do all your cooking on a wood stove. The only acceptable wood stove that is light enough for hiking is the Trailstove. There are some other ones that have a battery operated fan, crazy if you ask me. What if the batteries run out? What if one of the moving parts jam? You don't want any kinds of batteries, motors, pressure valves, etc… when you're hiking.

This is the most simple type of trap you can make but it's very deadly, it will kill or cripple an animal easily. Don't do this unless it's a life and death situation.

Put one edge of the bait stick on the round rock, lift the log up and support it with the strong stick. The bait stick should be wedged between the strong stick and the round rock and with the other end suspended in the air under the log.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison's unique and spectacular landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard Proterozoic crystalline rock. No other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
South Rim: Open every day, limited access in winter. The South Rim road is now open for the season. North Rim: Open every day, North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter.

Getting There
PLANE - Commercial airlines to Montrose, Gunnison, Grand Junction

CAR - The park is located approximately 250 miles SW of Denver. South Rim: 15 miles east of Montrose, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347 North Rim: 11 miles south of Crawford, via CO Hwy 92 and North Rim Road (closed in winter)

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - By bus: To Montrose, Gunnison, Grand Junction By train: To Grand Junction

Weather & Climate
Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor. Summer daytime temperatures range between 60 to 100F (15 to 38C), nights 30 to 50F (-1 to 10C) Winter daytime temperatures range between 20 to 40F (-6 to 4C), nights -10 to 20F (-23 to -6C) Precipitation is minimal, brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended. Current Elk Creek Weather can be monitored at http://www.nps.gov/cure/weather.htm

Accessibility
South Rim: Accessible Visitor Center, comfort stations and 2 accessible camping sites. Accessible overlooks-Tomichi Point, Chasm View, and Sunset View. North Rim: Accessible overlook-Balanced Rock.

Getting Around
By car or on foot, no public transportation is available. Bicycles are not allowed on trails.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
ENTRANCE
$7.00 for 7 Days

Activity Fee
CAMPING
$10 for Day

CAMPING (LOOP B, SOUTH RIM)
$15 for Day
Loop B, South Rim has 30 amp electrical hookups, available to all campers.

Local Passport
ANNUAL PERMIT
$15 for Annual
Entrance to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park only.

CAMPING

North Rim
Open From April to October
13 sites in Pinyon-Juniper forest, water available, no hook-ups. Camping fee is $10. Golden Age/Access camping fee is $5.

South Rim
Open From April to October
88 sites in Pinyon-Juniper forest. Vault toilets, limited water available, 30 amp electrical hookups are available in Loop B only. Camping fee is $10. Loop B camping fee is $15. Golden Age/Access price is $10 for Loop B and $5 elsewhere.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
SOUTH RIM
Open All Year by season
Fall, Winter, Spring 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Summer 8 am - 6 pm
Phone - 970-249-1914 x23
Location - Two miles from the south rim entrance station on the South Rim Drive.
Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day
Exhibits - New interactive exhibits installed July 4th, 2000.
Available Facilities - Digital video theater with two orientation programs.

MOSQUITO COILS		You need to bring a pack of mosquito coils, otherwise your trip will be quite miserable.
BACK PACK		The most important thing about a backpack is that it fits your back well. Don't pay a penny for the brand name, that's nothing but a scam anyway. There are completely unknown brands that are much better than the biggest brands in the industry.
MULTI PURPOSE TOOL		Whatever brand you choose make sure it's of high quality. The stores are full of cheap junk, get a good one, it could mean the difference between life an death.
FIRST AID		Always bring one of those little first aid kits in case you get injured.
STEEL WIRE		Steel wire is an excellent thing to bring. You never know what you're going to use it for but you always end up using it for something. This is specially true in a wilderness emergency.
TARP		If you don't bring a tarp you'll regret it.
STOVE		As any well experienced hiker will tell you the best way to enjoy the outdoors is to live off the land just like our ancestors. That means you eat fish you catch and you do all your cooking on a wood stove. The only acceptable wood stove that is light enough for hiking is the Trailstove. There are some other ones that have a battery operated fan, crazy if you ask me. What if the batteries run out? What if one of the moving parts jam? You don't want any kinds of batteries, motors, pressure valves, etc… when you're hiking.