Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [48]
If You Have Only 1 Day
It's fairly easy to see a great deal here in a short time, especially if you stick to the South Rim. First, stop at the visitor center to see the exhibits and get an understanding of how this phenomenal canyon was created. From the visitor center, drive 6 miles (one-way) to the end of South Rim Drive, stopping at the overlooks. Finally, take off on one of the rim hiking trails, such as the easy Cedar Point Nature Trail or the somewhat more challenging Warner Point Nature Trail (see "Day Hikes," below). If you'll be camping in the park or staying nearby, you might plan to attend the evening ranger program.
Exploring the Park by Car
The park's 7-mile (one-way) South Rim Drive provides an excellent and fairly easy way to see much of the park. There are about a dozen overlooks along the drive, and in most cases you'll be walking from 140 feet to about 700 feet to reach the viewpoints from your vehicle.
Among the not-to-be-missed overlooks are Gunnison Point, behind the visitor center, which offers stunning views of the seemingly endless walls of dark rock, capped by a pinkish rock layer; and the Pulpit Rock Overlook, which provides a splendid view of the rock walls and about 1½ miles of the Gunnison River, some 1,770 feet down. Farther along the drive is Chasm View, where you can see the incredible power of water, which here cut through more than 1,800 feet of solid rock. Near the end of the drive, be sure to stop at Sunset View, where there's a picnic area and a short (140 ft.) walk to a viewpoint, which offers distant views beyond the canyon as well as of the scenic canyon (but not the river). And, if your timing is right, you might be treated to a classic western sunset, in all its red-and-orange glory.
Organized Tours & Ranger Programs
A variety of ranger-conducted programs, which might include nature walks, geology talks, and evening campfire programs, take place from Memorial Day through mid-September on the South Rim (check at the visitor center for the current schedule). During the winter, guided snowshoe walks and moonlight cross-country ski tours are usually offered on the South Rim when snow conditions are right (stop at the visitor center or call ahead for information and reservations).
Day Hikes
Trails on the monument's rims range from short, easy walks to moderate or strenuous hikes of several miles; hiking below the rim is mostly difficult and not recommended for those with a fear of heights. Permits are not needed for hiking rim trails, but free backcountry permits are required for all treks below the rim.
SOUTH RIM TRAILS
Cedar Point Nature Trail
.7 mile RT. Easy. Access: Cedar Point Trailhead, along South Rim Rd.
With signs along the way describing the plants you'll see, this sunny trail not only offers a painless botany lesson, but at the end provides breathtaking views of the Gunnison River, 2,000 feet down, as well as the Painted Wall, at 2,250 feet considered the tallest cliff in Colorado.
Oak Flat Loop Trail
2 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Near visitor center.
Dropping slightly below the rim, this trail offers excellent views into the canyon while taking you through a grove of aspen, past Gambel oak, and finally through a forest of aspen, Gambel oak, and Douglas fir. Be aware that the trail is narrow in spots and a bit close to steep drop-offs.
Rim Rock Nature Trail
1 mile RT. Moderate. Access: Near entrance to South Rim Campground's Loop C.
Following the rim along a relatively flat path, this trail leads to an overlook, providing good views of the Gunnison River and the canyon's sheer rock walls. A pamphlet available at the trailhead describes plant life and other points of interest.
Warner Point Nature Trail
1.5 miles RT. Moderate. Access: High Point Overlook, at end of South Rim Rd.
This trail offers a multitude of things to see, such as mountain mahogany, pinyon pine, Utah juniper, and other area flora; distant mountains and valleys; and the