Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area | Friday – Saturday, April 24-25, 2026
Since we just drove home from Arizona this past weekend and I’ll be leaving for Las Vegas early on Thursday morning, I thought it would be a good idea to stay closer to home this weekend and hike a few more sections of the trails found within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, especially since my last trip to the Gunnison Gorge was cut short earlier in the month when I was still battling a bad cold. The weather was calling for rain to begin overnight on Saturday and continue throughout Sunday, so I figured I would just head out after work on Friday for a quick overnighter and come home later on Saturday. I left from work on Friday afternoon, grabbed a quick dinner in Delta and then decided to go on a few short hikes along the foot of the Uncompahgre Plateau before heading over to find a campsite near the Gunnison Gorge.
Rock Art of the Uncompahgre Plateau
I drove a few two-tracks into canyons of the Uncompahgre Plateau so I could finally visit some rock art sites that I’ve been meaning to get to for years.
Exploring canyons at the foot of the Uncompahgre Plateau.
I saw quite a few Claret Cups in bloom.
Hiking through shallow canyons…
Game Drive Panel
Deer Petroglyph
Sheep Coming & Going
Line of Deer
Big & Little Sheep
Disappearing Petroglyphs
Upper Panel
Grooves at the Harris Site
Top Hat Panel
A very faded red pictograph.
I ran it through Dstretch for a better look.
Boulder Grooves
Snake, Paws & Sheep
Bear Paws
The Gunnison Gorge
After driving across the Uncompahgre River Valley I headed up the Duncan Road in search of a campsite for the night.
While I was up near the trailhead I went for a short evening walk down the Duncan Trail.
I left the trail and hiked over to the edge of the Black Canyon for a better view into the gorge.
Black Canyon Viewpoint
Looking up the Gunnison River through the Gunnison Gorge.
Following the Duncan Trail back to the trailhead.
I watched the sunset from my campsite.
Light Under the Clouds
It was very windy all night and I didn’t sleep very well, but still I was up early and started hiking up the Red Rocks – Nighthorse Trail about twenty minutes before sunrise.
Looking back across the valley to the Uncompahgre Plateau.
While it was mostly cloudy out this morning, the sun did briefly peek out and light up the rim.
Gunnison Gorge Morning
Morning Knob
After following the trail from the Duncan Trailhead to the Bobcat Trailhead, I returned via the Sidewinder Trail.
Here’s one final view of the Gunnison River before I finished the hike and headed back home.
>> The Uncompahgre Plateau to the Gunnison Gorge Photo Gallery