We’re driving for miles across a gently-rolling landscape covered with sage brush and an occasional small shrub. Suddenly, there’s a giant crack in the earth. We’ve arrived at Black Canyon of the Gunnison, specifically the North Rim of the National Park. It’s not really a crack but the result of millions of years of the Gunnison River cutting down as the surrounding land was uplifted. However it formed, the result is pretty awe-inspiring.

The canyon is about 48 miles long but the 12 miles in the park is said to be the best part. The depth here ranges between 1800-2250′. There are hiking trails but we took advantage of several places along the North Rim where you can park and walk a short distance to an overlook area. We started at Chasm View…

… and ended at the Kneeling Camel Overlook. It takes a bit of imagination to see the camel in the rock formation.

After leaving the park, our drive continued south on CO-92 through some great scenery and into the Curecanti National Recreation Area parallel to, and with frequent views of the canyon.