Black Canyon Campout

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This view from the rim near our trailhead shows our hiking destination, almost directly below us, where Curecanti Creek flows into Morrow Point Reservoir, a descent of about 940 ft

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Some of the group peering down to the canyon bottom

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There were a few Mariposa Lilies along the trail

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Monument Plants, AKA Green Gentian, on the skyline

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Rocky Mountain Penstemon, with water drops from last night's rain.

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Some of our group at the first of two substaniial bridges crossing Curecanti Creek on our descent.

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Below the bridge, the stream is a nearly constant series of cascades as it tumbles into the gorge below

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Curecanti Waterfall

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Weidemeyer's Admiral butterfly along Curecanti Creek

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At the bottom of the canyon, along an inlet of Morrow Point Reservoir, a nice place to have lunch

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Curecanti Needle, a 700 ft granite spire rising from Morrow Point Reservoir, across from the confluence of Curecanti Creek

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As we hiked back to the top, waterfalls were a useful excuse to stop and catch my breath!

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Cutleaf Coneflower

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Steve stopping for a snack above the creek

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Great views looking dowon into Curecanti Canyon

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Another view of Morrow Point reservoir, as we return to the trailhead.

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Not satisfied with one hike to the bottom of Black Canyon, we did another. This one is very easy, as you can drive to the base of Morrow Point Dam, Here you see the Cimarron River, muddy from last night's rain, flowing into the Gunnison River

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The group on the bridge across the Gunnison.

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A view looking upstream to the Morrow Point Dam

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Steve, at Mesa Creek, which forms a triple water fall.

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Triple falls of Mesa Creek

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Some of the group along the river at the end of the short Mesa Creek trail (just over a mile total).

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Back at the Black Canyon South Rim campground, we had a nice evening rainbow over our camper. Perfect way to end the day!

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And a pretty good sunset from our campsite, as well.