The Black Canyon of the Gunnison

About an hour and a half south of my house is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  Because it's so close, I try to get down there at least once a year.  A few weeks ago, I realized I had yet to visit this year, so I made the journey on a gorgeous autumn afternoon.

It's a challenge to capture the canyon's impressive majesty with photographs.  Because it's so narrow and deep, little light makes its way to the bottom.  In October, the low angle of the sun allows even less light to penetrate the depths of the canyon.  That does nothing to diminish the experience of viewing it from any of the overlooks on the north or south rims, and thus I don't hesitate to visit regardless of the time of year.

The scrub oak was still ablaze in color so late in the season, and the rim of the canyon has a lot of it, along with pinon pine, cacti,  and other high desert flora.

The Cimarron Valley, near Owl Creek Pass

The Cimarron River valley in southwest Colorado is filled with groves of aspen trees and many imposing mountain peaks.  I had driven through here after camping below Owl Creek Pass, and was struck the beauty of the area.  Few others were around, even though it was only mid-autumn.  Ever since then, I had wanted to return when the fall colors were at their peak.  I did that this past weekend, and while the weather wasn't cooperating, I did manage to get a few good photographs.