Black Canyon of the Gunnison

BeanMan

Long Time Member
Messages
6,890
This weekend my younger Brother and I will be backpacking into the Black Canyon. This will be the 17th year we've made this trip and it is my favorite spot in Colorado. Steep Canyons unequaled, best trout fishing in Colorado, a large and powerful river all to ourselves. A price is paid, it is one heck of a nasty hike but well worth it. I'll try and get some good pictures and maybe someone can post them for me.

Cheers,

BeanMan
 
Sounds like a good time is on the way BeanMan! Good luck on the fishing. Thats one of the higher ranking of many places Ive never been, but someday would like to to visit in CO. Good luck on the fishing. Hope you take lots of pics. I'll be happy to post them for you if you want. My email addy is [email protected]
 
Well here are three of the pictures that BeanMan just sent to me on his fishing trip into the CANYON.
Fred, looks like some awesome country and a BIG congrats on that beautiful 21" Trout.
Brian
BlackCanyon10-2004003.jpg

BlackCanyon10-2004039.jpg

BlackCanyon10-2004020.jpg
 
NICE! I'm envious! I haven't been able to get any fly fishing in now for 2 weeks! Too much rain or I'm just too busy trying to get ready for hunting! Last storm brought took the river from about 300 cfs to over 4500 cfs in 2 days so that blew the flyfishing out for me.
 
Thanks Kilowatt for posting the pics. Here is the story. this was the 17th year in a row my younger brother and I have made this trip. It is still as good as the first time.

We hiked, er slid, down Slide Draw in the National Park. The trail is short but very steep, 1660 vertical in one mile. I use the word trail loosely because it is just a talus and scree filled chute (picture number 2) with sheer walls on both sides. Fishing was a little sub par for the Gunnison, still leaps above just about anything else in Colorado. The BOR was testing some new turbines so they were running the water at 1550cfs which is much higher than the 350cfs we usually have this time of year. it made fly fishing very difficult as most of the holes were running too swift. I pulled out my spinning reel and a rapala shad rap which always works here. I caught 21 fish in one afternoon and morning, the largest being 18" or so. My purist Brother stuck to the fly rod and caught quite a few, the largest, a rainbow about 19" which is picture number three. 17 years ago we would catch 90% rainbows and 10% browns. Because of whirling disease this is now reversed.

Saturday night the Ringtail cats that slink about in the canyon made a raid on our camp. They are bold and will stop at nothing to get in your food or packs. After the third attempt we put on our boots and headlamps on and chased them off with a barrage of rocks chasing one into a crack in a rock where we poked it with a stick. It screamed so loud it echoed and they didn't come back again that night.

Thanks for reading, it was a great trip.

BeanMan
 
Sounds like a blast!! I'm Jealous!

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
Sounds like a great trip Bean! Looks to me like the best way to get down there is by a heavy duty winch and several thousand foot of cable. Ill have to look you up If and when I ever getting around to making the trek out that way for some BIG trout fishing. Im kind of partial to trout in remote little creeks, but the lure of big fish can be strong. Do they let you hunt those ringtails? I wouldnt mind packing in a 22 and one of those hides out if they do...
 
Ridgetop,

You'd be welcome to come next year. We always go the first weekend in October, rain or shine. Better plan on being in pretty good shape, it will test your heart out pretty good carrying the pack back out.

Since it is in the NP there are no firearms allowed, The ringtails are kind of fun anyway. We hang the packs by ropes and the stinking critters can climb up and shinny down the ropes to the packs. We woke up with one on top of the tent once. This was our first time down Slide Draw, been down most of the trails in the NP and have a few favorites for sure.

Cheers,

BeanMan
 
Beanman~ Sounds like a really cool place to spend some time, and have a real shot at some big fish. Thanks for the invite. I really appreciate it. Looks like a pretty steep hike down to the river there. No woriies for me... Ive been in and out of a few crazy deep holes with a full pack a time or two :). I dont know about next year, but I will certainly remember the invite. Ive spent quite a bit of time in Colorado , but never have spent much time in the far western side. There are a pile of places out there Id love to see someday (I'd be better off moving there... don't get me started). And that general area is near the top of my list.

rt
 
Fred,

Before the knee surgeries ended much of my canyon hikes, I used to go down past Sapinero into the canyon with some college buddies from Wasted State in Gunny. Had some good times with the 'bows. Glad to hear that you had a great time. That is one of the most beautiful areas in Colorado. Nice fish pics.....

Coot
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-05 AT 09:10PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-05 AT 09:05?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-05 AT 09:04?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-05 AT 09:02?PM (MST)

Here is a picture taken this last weekend of Slide Draw. It is the middle gulley in this picture. We took the picture from the South Rim visitors center while cross country skiing . Slide Draw is the trail we hiked in October.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/User_files/41eddaa17344c8f1.jpg


BeanMan
 
that looks really steep but looks a blast great job thats not a easy thing to do hike up there and then for the bonus cach fish.I have not yet had the pleasure to see the ringtaled cat but all iall it sounds like a adventure.
 
Sorry about the small picture. I changed the pixel size to meet the less than 100 kb requirement and got a small picture. I'll try and figure it out tonight.

Bean
 
Fishing there is always good as long as the water is lower and clear. There are other trails to the North of the park that are easier to get down. Ute Duncan Chuckar etc. You can also drive down the East portal road down right next to the river, but so can everyone else. Still catch a lot if you can match the hatch on a flyrod. Best fishing is when either browns or rainbows are spawning. Can see em just laying there on the gravel bars.
 
Elk-horn,

I've gone down there from May unitl late October, all are good months to fish assuming you have low enough water levels. That seems to be the key, next would be matching a hatch.

I don't care for the BLM trails like the Chukar, Duncan, etc because they get many more fishermen and are much easier to hike. The best fishing is in the National Park sections but those hikes are MUCH harder.

BeanMan
 
BeanMan ...thanks for the infor I would like to take my boys there fishing....can you backpack in and stay for a few days??
 
Elkhorn,

Yup, all you need is a permit for inner canyon use. How old are your boys? It is a very difficult hike both in and out and should be attempted only by people who have good balance and good endurance. I've been down most of the hikes in the National Park so when you get ready drop me a line if you have questions.

You could also drive down into the canyon at East Portal or hike one of the easier hikes in the lower BLM section.

BeanMan
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-05 AT 05:33PM (MST)[p]MY youngest is 20 oldest 31 ..weve been back packing every year since they turned 10. I drop you a line when we decide to go...
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom