As we noted in the blog during our first trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado (that post linked here), this canyon is underrated.
From Telluride. we were headed to the suburbs of Denver to see friends and family so we decided to enter the Black Canyon from the western side this May. Driving Rim Drive Road we stopped at most overlooks and pull outs for the short walks to the canyon’s edge.
It had started to rain a bit but Doug wanted to cycle the area. He did, but also got drenched in the process!
From the Canyon we drove Highway 50 and camped on the Blue Mesa Reservoir at Elk Cove Campground, which had plenty of space and great views. The next day we drove towards Salida but turned north on Highway 285 before entering Salida. We boondocked near Nathrop for the evening.
Views from the drive!
Made a stop in Buena Vista for burgers at K’s Deli Delight. They give you a famous person’s name instead of an order number, which is entertaining. We then drove around my old stomping grounds – Fairplay Colorado. Yup, a high school graduate of South Park City Highschool made famous by Trey Parker and Matt Stone in the irreverent adult cartoon on pop culture and politics – “South Park”. For anyone who’s been there recently, please note that I’m so old that the current school looks nothing like our school. We didn’t have coffee shops, an Ace Hardware store, half of the restaurants there now, or a fancy pants bank! What the heck! There is literally nothing that makes me feel older than seeing the growth in this town.
Continued on Highway 285 to our stop for the night Chatfield Reservoir, before spending the next few days with my dad, stepmom, my sister (who flew in from Vegas). We were able to fit in a fun, and long overdue dinner with a close family friend, John Wamsley and attend a backyard gathering at a cousin’s house. Had not seen the cousin’s on the Milller side of the family or John for so long that these were really special.
Next stop the east entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park (west entrance post here) to round out this year’s quick but great visit to take in some new places to see more of Colorado’s natural beauty!
