Gunnison to Delta, CO - STR-2021-13

Wednesday, 30 June

As we approached US 50 yesterday, we saw numerous signs about construction on US 50 west of Gunnison. The summer long construction project is closing a four mile stretch of US 50 for most of each day in both directions. They are allowing one lane of traffic, alternating east and west, three times a day. As our desired destination for tomorrow required navigating the closure area, we elected to bug out super early to queue up to drive the 4-mile long construction section in the 6:30-8:30AM slot.

We skipped breakfast, figuring we could make breakfast while waiting in the queue to drive the construction section. An advantage of bringing your house with you.

We arrived at the east end of the closure about 6:15AM, and saw we were around number 15 in line. Hopeful that we would be flagged through at 6:30, we postponed breakfast. As hoped, we got through in the first wave. The line of cars to go eastbound was a lot longer - long enough that people arriving to the queue after 7:30AM would not likely make the morning opening, and have to sit in line until 12:30, the next scheduled opening.

Our destination for the day was the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. As we neared the park, the scenery in US 50 was breathtaking.

Arriving before the visitor center opened, we pulled off at the campground area to make coffee and breakfast. It also had a weak cell signal so we could check email and get the blog posted.

The East Portal Road was closed - just as well as vehicles longer than 22 feet are prohibited - Sprinty is 24 feet without the bike rack. We decided to do all the overlooks from the visitor center to Warner Point.

Tomichi Point

Gunnison Point

Gunnison Point

Dropping an average of 95 feet per mile in the National Park, the Gunnison River is indeed carving a steep canyon. The walls on average are 2,000 feet deep.

Pulpit Rock Overlook

Cross Fissures View

Nature's cairns:

Rocky Point

Cedar Point

The trail to Warner Point was an excellent way to cap off our visit. 1.4 miles round trip, it had some elevation - down initially, then back up to the point.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was awesome. We were glad we arrived early as we only had to pass up one trailhead parking area because we couldn't fit Sprinty in as the parking spots were already taken. As we headed for the exit, we noticed the parking areas were getting fuller. As we exited the park and took pictures by the park sign, the family who was also there said they came from the east as well and had to take the detour to get to the park - a much longer route with winding roads. We suspect that made the park less crowded today than usual.

We left the park just before noon and made our way to Montrose, CO for lunch. We stopped by the visitor center to gather up area information to plan the next few days.

Our plan for a campsite for the night was the Peach Valley OHV Recreation Area parking lot. Located on Bureau of Land Management land, overnight camping is allowed for up to seven days. For free. The parking lot served the Peach Valley Open Area, which limits riding to vehicles 50 inches or less in width, and is considered a beginner and training area.

We were surprised that most of the road to the Recreation Area was paved - only the last mile was a dirt road. While washboarded, we navigated it just fine at about 12-15mph. When we arrived, there was only one other camper in the parking lot, and several motorcycles playing on the hills.

In the distance, we could see rain and expected we would get wet. Not to be - the rain showers seemed to peter out before getting to our location.

As the sun set, the five dirt bikers packed up leaving the parking lot to Sprinty, the lady in the travel trailer next to Sprinty, a pop-up truck camper and one car.

Sprinty enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Thursday, 1 July

A very peaceful night in the BLM parking lot. We enjoyed a pretty sunrise.

Our first activity was a bike ride on the Uncompahgre RiverWay Trail in Montrose, CO (https://www.traillink.com/trail/uncompahgre-riverway-trail/). The Uncompahgre RiverWay Trail will eventually link Delta with Ouray, a 65-mile route along the Uncompahgre River in southwestern Colorado. Currently, two major segments have been completed in the communities of Montrose and Ridgway. Portions of the planned trail, including long stretches of the completed sections, use a former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad line.

We parked at Cerise Park in Montrose, and rode south to Vernal, CO. We were concerned about riding along the frontage road along US 550, but it was just fine. The ride south was slightly uphill and into the wind. We cruised back to Montrose being slightly downhill and downwind.

Near the end of the ride, near another park the trail passes, we saw two people surfing in the Uncompahgre River. Great fun to watch them.

We also rode a connector trail that led to the rise west of Montrose. From there, we could see Warner Point in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park where we hiked yesterday.

After the bike ride, we made our way to Delta, CO where we were staying at the Devil's Thumb Golf Course, a Harvest Host. The golf course almost looks out of place in the Colorado desert, reminding us of the golf course we played in Parker, AZ and Blythe, CA a couple of years ago. We initially played at our pace, then we bumped into the golfers in front of us, who were backed up because of a group of seven. First time we have ever experienced a seven-some playing golf. And having three different groups of golfers waiting on the tee box. Needless to say, a lot of folks were displeased.

We played okay - Kris played the front nine better than Darrell. On the seventh hole, Darrell pushed his tee shot right into a canyon. Silly him, he wandered off to try and find it. After all, it was desert, lacking the typical places for golf balls to hike. While walking back up the hill, he slipped and planted his in-gloved hand into a small cactus.

His hand came up looking like a small porcupine or a really bad acupuncture procedure. Fortunately no one was behind us, so we had a few minutes to remove the cactus needles. Well, most of them. Looks like he will be pulling cactus needles out of his right hand for days.

Despite the cactus setback, Darrell started picking up strokes on the back nine, including making the only birdie of the day. Standing in the 18th tee box, we were tied up. Then Darrell's golf ball decided to go swimming. And his next shot headed for the beach (sand trap). Kris made par to take honors on the day. We both liked the course, even though it involved some target golf. And for $35/person and free overnight parking - we would stop/play here again.

Big day planned tomorrow. Kris is yippee excited - I wonder if she will be able to sleep tonight. Deets in the next blog post.