Black Canyon of the Gunnison - October, 2017

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's four National Parks.  The height, or rather depth, of the canyon walls is dramatic.  The Painted Wall goes down about 2000 ft.  The whole park is just one road that has lots of stops at trails and overlooks.  I would compare the road and the beauty to the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.

We arrived in the late afternoon and did a few hikes to the overlooks with the kids.  It was a little nerve racking with a 4 year old wanting to climb on the rails with steep drops underneath.  Our last stop was the Painted Wall overlook.  After the sun set behind the hills, the clouds lit up with color making for some nice photographs:

Painted Wall sunburst

Black Canyon Sunset - Prints Available

Family Trip - Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes from High Dune - Prints available

Family trips can be difficult, but rewarding.  It's a chore hauling two kids across the state between baby crying and traffic and the occasional "Are we there yet?"


"How many more minutes until we're at the sand dunes Daddy?"

"About 200 Sweetie."

Road to the Sangre de Cristos - Prints available

Then you get to your destination and put sunscreen on, hats, water, bottle, snacks, jackets, etc.  Did we forget anything? 

"Just stuff him in there!"

"Should we change his diaper first?"

"Too late he's already buckled in the seat.  I'm not taking him out again!"

"If he gets his pants dirty, I'm going to be upset.  Those are the only other pair we brought."

"It'll be fine.  He can just go without pants.  He's a baby!"  



Once we finally start on the sand, all is good in the world.

WARNING: EXTREME CUTENESS!

Scroll at your own risk.

 KD made it all the way to the top without complaining... much. 

He loves the sand!

This was also a photography trip.  In the evenings, I abandoned the wife and children at the hotel and went out in search of some landscape beauty.   The weather was pretty good both days with some clouds making for great shots of the mountains and dunes.

Sunset over Star Dune and the 14ers from the south - Prints available

Sunrise on the Blanca Group.  Mt. Lindsey at right - Prints available

The second evening I hiked up to the top of (9000ish ft.) High Dune for some close up shots of the mountain range.  I had done this once before, but forgot how Incredible the view is.  I would highly recommend hiking up there if you go to the park.  It's a bit of work, but well worth it.  The winds picked up as I approached the top.  Also, make sure to cover your skin (and your camera) so you don't get sandblasted.

Approaching the top

Panorama from High Dune in the late afternoon

Sunset from High Dune - Prints available

Fiery Sunset Over the Dunes - Prints available