The trips begin with Chukar Rapid and ends at the private take out of the Gunnison River Farms, which is located several miles below the confluence of the North Fork of the Gunnison river. The Gunnison River as it enters the Black Canyon near Blue Mesa Dam. Rather, the Black Canyon’s claim to fame is its narrow abyss, in some places only forty feet wide at the bottom. The trail begins next to railroad tracks and then crosses the tracks after about 300 yards. instagram: @sorenjespersen. Dominguez Canyon: Great hike along the Gunnison River. Trust in our experienced river guides for your whitewater rafting experience! That record goes to Hell’s Canyon on the border of Oregon and Idaho. Gunnison River Section 3 - Ecalante to Bridgeport. Dominguez and Escalante canyons are included in the area. Station operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Water Science Center, as part of the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP).. Information on water releases from Crystal Reservoir (projected releases into the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon) is available from the Bureau of Reclamation.. Current shift adjusted rating table. Enroute it passes several primitive campsites that are primarily intended for rafters. The remaining sections of the Gunnison are also class 1-2 water with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. The Lower Gunnison River/ Dominguez Canyon. Enjoy the magic and solitude while floating through a brilliant canyon of red sandstone. The upper section of the river is largest above the Blue Mesa Reservoir which is a … Pull off the highway and take this gravel road down into the canyon. - See 42 traveler reviews, 35 candid photos, and great deals for Grand Junction, CO, at Tripadvisor. Due to the technical nature and numerous difficult portages, the Gunnison River through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is not raftable. We are located just a short walk from the confluence of the Taylor and East Rivers which form the Gunnison River. A hike up Dominguez Canyon offers the opportunity to search for panels of Indian petroglyphs and … Every summer, Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) host overnight rafting trips for the Chuska Environmental Youth Camp run by Diné College. The total trip is just over 14 miles with camping conducted at designated sites along the river. You travel through areas where the canyon walls rise straight up from the river banks and often there are bighorn sheep sightings along the river. Massive red-rock bluffs hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 600 million years, as … Located along the Gunnison River in Western Colorado, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation area is easy to access yet full of adventure and beauty. Monday, May 17, 2010. Dominguez Canyon: Great hike along the Gunnison River. Over a month ago I planned a river trip with Jackson and Chris so we could check out a new section of the lower Gunnison River starting at Confluence Park in Delta to the takeout at Escalante Canyon. A good majority of the river flows through the famous black canyon which is difficult but rewarding access boasting over 20 miles of Gold Medal Waters within its canyon walls. Turn West off Highway 50 and follow the gravel road several miles down to the river. - See 42 traveller reviews, 35 candid photos, and great deals for Grand Junction, CO, at Tripadvisor. Dominguez Canyon is currently a Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Lower Gunnison River, Delta to Whitewater The Lower Gunnison River flows 39 miles from the boat launch at Confluence Park in Delta, to the take-out in Whitewater. - See 42 traveler reviews, 35 candid photos, and great deals for Grand Junction, CO, at Tripadvisor. Below the Crystal Dam, the River enters the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, continuing west entering into The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Gunnison Gorge of the Black Canyon - Below Crystal Reservoir, Colorado Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions Reported by Gunnison River Expeditions. Fisherman are finding success with hoppers on top, and smaller nymphs underneath. From Grand Junction, take a drive south down Highway 50 for about 30 miles, until you come to Bridgeport Road. The Gunnison River is Colorado’s second largest river; only the Colorado River is larger. After about a mile, the trail crosses the Gunnison River on a foot bridge. The Gunnison River is one of Colorado’s most sought after rivers. Offering multi-day rafting in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. A trail register and kiosk are located just before the horse and foot bridge that crosses the Gunnison River. Dominguez Canyon (At Bridgeport)- 12 miles South of Whitewater, CO and 1 mile North of the Delta/Mesa County Line. The class II Gunnison River gently carves its way through Dominguez canyon creating a wilderness feeling. The Lower Gunnison is a non-permitted class I-II stretch. Boating – Canoes, kayaks and rafts are commonplace in the Gunnison River, from May through October. Three Rivers Resort is located in the historic mountain town of Almont, Colorado on the Taylor River. Chris floating the Gunnison River through the Dominguez – Escalante National Conservation Area. Lower Gunnison River. What does a professional class V guide do for fun?.....class I!- ba-dum-pa. We hiked the Bridgeport Trail in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area between Grand Junction and Delta, Colorado. Perfectly located on southwestern Colorado’s finest river sections: Gunnison River (Gunnison Gorge/Black Canyon, Lower Gunnison and Dominguez Escalante Canyon) sections, San Miguel River and Uncompahgre River. The canyon opened up as we got closer to the Gunnison River and the hiking got easier. The resort features some cabins dating back to the 1800’s as well as brand new cabins with all the amenities of home. I knew we were getting close to the river when we started finding inscriptions carved into the walls of the canyon. Overnight campers prefer camping at the mouth of Dominguez Canyon or on the bench just downstream. Named for the Spanish Jesuits that first explored the area in 1777, the Dominguez and Escalante Canyons are rich in history, wildlife, and scenery. Gorge continues to fish well. At 2,400 feet deep, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is not the deepest in North America. Hiking through a narrow spot in the canyon. Just a place where we post stuff. Gunnison Gorge Whitewater Rafting The Gunnison Gorge is a 14 mile long white water adventure filled with exciting rapids, gorgeous Precambrian rock formations and abundant wildlife.Pool drop rapids range from class II to class IV. Dominguez-Escalante NCA Located between Grand Junction and Delta, CO lies 210,172 acres of protected public lands, including the 66,280-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Colorado's #1 Gunnison River rafting and fly fishing outfitter. Dominguez Canyon and the Gunnison. We are your recreation headquarters for the summer! There were nice clouds in the sky for much of the late morning and early afternoon. After crossing the bridge the trail continues along the west side of the river toward the mouth of Dominguez Canyon. The solitude and unspoiled beauty of this river make this trip truly a unique river experience. Access is under the railroad bridge to the Northwest of the parking area. 2. A major tributary of the Colorado River, the Gunnison is almost 80 miles in length.Its confluence, formed by the Taylor River and East River, are well known themselves as excellent trout streams.. There are plenty of commercial rafting trips on the Gunnison River that lead you through this beautiful canyon. The NCA was designated by Congress in 2009 and its Resource Management Plan – the blueprint for managing recreation and resource uses within the NCA – was finalized in 2017. https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/gunnison-river-whitewater-rafting The Dominguez to Escalante Canyon section features mellower whitewater - class 1 and 2, as well as fabulous scenery, petroglyphs and dinosaur geology. We just enjoyed three days of hot desert rafting. As the river winds its way down into the juniper and scrub oak forests of the Uncompahgre Plateau, it gradually widens and slows. Much of the river here flows through Dominguez-Escalante This is a great section for inflatable kakaking. This is a scenic narrow river that meanders through the Taylor Canyon. The Lower Gunnison River flows through Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area between the towns of Delta and Whitewater. The Taylor River rafting trips offer something for every member of your group or family, from mild to wild. Canyon Layers. The area surrounding the Gunnison River described below as Sections 2 through 4 include areas that are being considered for National Conservation Area (NCA) status. The trips explore the Gunnison River as it cuts through the stunning Dominguez-Escalante Canyon. Sunday, May 21, 2017 | Average CFS: 8,920. The narrow river corridor of the Gunnison Gorge creates exciting whitewater rafting in Colorado as the rapids wind into the 2,800 ft high walls of Black Canyon. To shorten the trip, start downstream in Escalante Canyon (29 miles to Whitewater), or in Bridgeport (14 miles to Whitewater). We offer premier river rafting adventures for most ages and ability levels throughout the summer. The whitewater is low through Dominguez-Escalante and the views are phenomenal. Crowding/Congestion at the mouth of Dominguez Canyon: As mentioned above, Dominguez Canyon is the most popular attraction along the Lower Gunnison River. Dominguez Creek is a nice camping spot, but on weekends during the prime season there are likely to be other river travelers camping there. Each boat carries a maximum of 2 guests and 1 guide. Whitewater- Public access off of Highway 141 on Desert Rd. A morning playing around with my Nikon D7100 in Big Dominguez Canyon near the Gunnison River, Colorado. Several outfitters offer guided raft trips on the Gunnison Gorge section of the river. Scenic River Tours, located in Gunnison County, Colorado, is a short drive from Crested Butte, Lake City, Montrose, and the surrounding towns on the Western Slope of Colorado.We offer guided rafting, fishing, inflatable kayak trips and rock climbing sessions.. We also provide rafting equipment rentals and sales. Call us at 970-872-3232. There is … COVID-19 regulations apply. Rafting opportunities are available in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area west of the National Park. ... Petra glyphs can be found by hiking up Dominguez Creek canyon. Native Colorado wildlife such as bighorn sheep, river otters, mule deer, eagles and wild chukar are often spotted. Dominguez Canyon: Great hike along the Gunnison River. The upper river flows through some of the country’s deepest gorges, including the 2,800-foot-deep Black Canyon of the Gunnison. 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