Black Canyon ... the adventure continues

We continued our drive on the South Rim of the Black Canyon and our next stop was Cross Fissures Overlook.  In most of these photos I am looking across to the North Rim of the canyon at the radical rock formations.

 

Here are some close-ups that show the striations or pegmatite dikes in the canyon walls.

 

 

 
Doesn't this rock cliff have the appearance of a jumbled jigsaw puzzle?

 

 Gary and Sadie at the overlook.  Can you see how fascinated Sadie is with the view?

 

 

Next stop, Chasm Overlook.  The steep walls of Black Canyon range in depth from 2700 feet north of Warner point to 1750 feet at the Narrows, a short distance upstream from this overlook.  The Narrows, between Pulpit Rock and Chasm View, is the shallowest and narrowest section in the monument.  Here the canyon is less than a quarter-mile across.

The Gunnison River has a very steep gradient. Within the monument, the river has an average fall of 95 feet per mile.  This gives the river the energy needed to cut downward faster than other kinds of erosion can widen it.

 

 

 

 

Are you getting tired of the Black Canyon yet?  Only three more overlooks and then we're done with it!  Next stop is Sunset View and from there we took the Warner Point Hike.

Our next stop along the rim was Dragon Point.  Some of the rocks on this short hike to the rim had this green "algae" or moss on them.  The picture doesn't show just how beautiful and green looking it was, but it gives you a good idea.

Loved this tree, the clear, azure skies, and the cotton puff clouds.  I thought it made for a great picture opportunity, and you can see that Sadie wanted a nice break.

 From this point we got a great view of the Gunnison River.

 

More pegmatite dykes.
 

Next and last stop on our one-way rim drive--Cedar Point.  This was a 3/4 mile round trip "hike" through a signed nature trail to the rim.  The distant hills rising above the North Rim are of geological interest.  Called laccoliths they are now eroded into peaks, but once they were great domes of rock pushed up like blisters by hot, molten magna from beneath.  Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the West Elk Mountains?

A close-up of the West Elk Mountains.

This is a Utah Juniper.  Junipers are often erroneously called "cedars".  This one may be well over 200 years old.  Note the scaly leaves and berries (see second picture for close up of berries).  Pinyon Pines (usually associated with Junipers) have needles and cones.  The Utah Junipers also have twisted trunks as this fine specimen reveals.

 

This is a Gambel Oak.  It is a scrub oak that is common all over the Southwest and was named for a 19th Century botanist.  The trees rise in clumps from a common underground stem system.  Acorns were an important food supply for the Indians. 

 From this overlook you get a great view of the pegmatite dykes.

 
And a beautiful view of the  2,250 foot Painted Wall in the Canyon.
 
 

On our way out we stopped at a second (different) national park sign to give a fond farewell to the truly amazing Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!

Psalms 18:2-3

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.