To make one more trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison today we rode the bike along US 50 across and west along the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Our river access point was the Pine Creek area of the Curecanti National Recreation Area bordering the Morrow Point Reservoir to the west of the dam that creates Blue Mesa Reservoir.
A short ride on pavement turned into a longer steeper ride down hard-packed gravel
to the parking area. On the mesa in the distance (right) we saw the fenced in area where we stood on Tuesday when we stopped at a viewpoint during our ride of the north rim of the Black Canyon, (see Lots+Lots=Tons blog).
From the rim (then) we could see the rode down to the steps which led to the river’s edge.
From the parking lot today we accessed the steps going down
and down
to a nice path bordering the river. Formerly the tracks of the Denver & Rio Grande RR ran here. Now it is a nature trail and the only access to the dock of the Pike Creek Boat Tours.
We meandered along, enjoying the lap of the water on rocks, an occasional bird song, and the wind. There were no markers along the 1 mile path, so that we were uncertain where it ended. We thought perhaps this was the end of the trail, and then we saw that Creepy Guy peeking out.
When we chased him off we discovered that the path continued.
A bit further on and we arrived at the boat tour dock, closed on Mondays for maintenance.
Looking up from the dock we could see the rocky point where we stood on our rim ride last week.
From that viewpoint the boat dock and nature trail looked like this.
More tomorrow.
Louise and Duane
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