|
|
| Gunnison
River 2 day trip RATES IN USD VALID THROUGH 11/1/08 |
GUNNISON
GORGE 
){kind=small}
2 OR RAFTING TRIPS - Class II-IV
(An Overnight Classic)
The Gunnison Gorge in western Colorado is
adjacent to the newly created Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This
14-mile stretch of gold medal trout water has been nominated for "Wild and
Scenic River" designation. It also receives expanded protection as part of the
creation of America's newest National Park! Here below the many dams of the
national park, the clear green water slips between spectacular towering black
granite cliffs, dropping first into glassy pools and them plunging into foaming
rapids. Scenery is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
Getting to the river requires an easy mile-long hike down a narrow trail; the boats and group gear are brought into the canyon on horseback the day before the trip. You will need to carry your own personal gear down the trail to the "put-in". The hike in is rewarded with dramatic canyon scenery, picturesque views and remarkable solitude. Only two groups of twelve people per day are permitted to raft the Gunnison Gorge, assuring you a quality wilderness experience. Hiking, fishing, swimming and testing our skill in the rapids are all part of what makes the Gunnison River a favorite of our guests as well as our staff!
|
||||||||||||||
GUNNISON
GORGE
2 AND 3 DAYS FISHING
(Gold Metal Fishery)
This canyon is famous the world over for its trophy rainbow and German brown trout fishery. Celebrities and political figures are flocking to the Gunnison Gorge to try their luck at this top ranked trout stream.
|
DOWNLOAD BROWNS CANYON PRE-TRIP INFORMATION
Our Gunnison River Pre-trip Information is available in .pdf format by clicking on the icon below. If you are not able to view the file or are not sure if you have the right software you can click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
 |
Gunnison River
Pre-trip Information |
GETTING THERE
See our Gunnison Map page for specific directions. The nearest major airports are Denver International Airport and Colorado Springs Airport. Smaller airports in the area include Grand Junction (United Express, Maverick), Montrose (United Express, America West Express, Max Air), and Telluride (United Express, America West Express)
LODGING & LOCAL INFORMATION
For information on local accommodations and other activities contact Delta Chamber of Commerce at 970-874-8616, Montrose Chamber of Commerce at 800-873-0244 or Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau at 970-242-3214 or Telluride Visitors Center at 800-525-3455 or you can visit their websites from our links to other businesses page. You can also get information on river flows, weather, road conditions and other cool sites from that page.
... AND THEN WHAT?
After meeting at the Gunnison
River Pleasure Park, we will have you sign liability releases and give you your
waterproof bags to pack along with any rentals you may have reserved (see our
packing list page). Your waterproof bag is 3.2
cubic feet (about the size of a large ice chest). Once you are packed and ready
to go, we will transport you to the trip departure point, which is about an
hour ride by van. Next it is time to carry your personal gear in the waterproof
backpacks we issue you. It is approximately a 1 mile hike to the bottom of the
Gunnison Gorge where the trip begins.
DESCRIPTION and GEOLOGY
Once we are at the river, we will conduct an in-depth participant orientation, finish loading the rafts, and launch our trip. At the trips conclusion, you will be transported back to the Budget Host Southgate Inn in Delta.
The Gunnison River has many different characteristics, depending on where along its course you see it. Beginning as a clear mountain stream, it widens into a shallow, rocky river as it passes Gunnison, Colorado. Further west, it feeds the huge 35 mile long reservoir system of Currecanti National Recreation Area, before spilling free again into the newly created Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Gunnison Gorge, located just downstream from the National Park, is the raftable section of the Black Canyon. The Gorge attracts boaters, fishermen, and nature lovers from far and wide with its spectacular beauty and exciting rapids. The river teems with trout. A Gold Medal Trout fishery, the Gorge supports healthy populations of eastern brook, German brown, and rainbow trout, as well as northern pike. High concentrations of aquatic insects in the clear-flowing water help to enhance this excellent fishery resource.
Its beauty inspired author Jeff Rennicke to
write:
Just for the sheer artistry of its water,
there is no more beautiful river in the west than Colorado's
Gunnison.
The Gorge is also an important wildlife habitat. Currently, the area supports bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, peregrine falcons, and eagles. River otters, an endangered species in Colorado, were reintroduced into the Gunnison so keep your eyes open for this special animal.
Its geology makes the Gunnison Gorge as fascinating as it is beautiful. During Mesozoic times, sedimentary rock layers were laid down over the eroded surface of much older rocks. The river established its course as it cut down through the soft sedimentary layers to the hard underlying Precambrian rock. The land began an uplift, and established in its course, had no choice but to continue cutting into the resilient Precambrian rock. The steep canyon walls reveal some of the oldest rocks exposed on the continent. According to U.S. Geological Survey geologist Wallace Hansen, there is nowhere in the world where Precambrian rocks are better exposed than in the walls and floor of the Gunnison Gorge.
The 14-mile Gunnison Gorge is accessible only by foot or horseback, and has been nominated for much deserved Wild and Scenic protection. Its geological value along with its excellent fishing, exciting rapids, abundant wildlife, and gorgeous scenery make a trip here a very special experience not to be missed by lovers of the outdoors.
Arkansas River | Dolores River | Gunnison
River | North Platte River |
Upper Colorado River | Inn to
Inn | Salt RiverColorado River Rafting, Whitewater Rafting, white water, arkansas river, gunnison river, dolores river, north platte river, salt river, rafting
WildernessAware.com images, photos and original text
© 2007 by Wilderness Aware Rafting
Website design © 2007
OutdoorMind LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Rev. 1/14/07 EY