.main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { } min-width: 0; Strenuous to Green Mountain - 7 miles round trip It easily took us 90+ minutes to get to the north rim. You will meet a little roundabout down to the lookout point, you can go either way, but we suggest going counterclockwise. My track via Gaia GPS the best tracking app!

.main-inner .fauxcolumn-right-outer { I have a track and waypoints from the hike all contained in a KML file that you are welcome to download and use (at your own risk). Note that the Exclamation Point Hike follows along the canyons edge, making it essential to stay on the trail at all times to avoid dangerous cliffs and terrain. Head northwest on the trail as it guides you through an open field of Juniper and Sagebrush. Theres no official name for it. } Park at the ranger station and look for the obvious sign marking the start of the North Vista Trail, just to the right of the toilets. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { Beyond this initial viewpoint, the trail edges away from the rim and begins to climb uphill through dense woods, making its way westward to a trail junction at 1.25 miles.

From here, return the way you came along this easy, quick hike along the North Rim. Hiking up a few steps. It was just a brief hike down to a point where we got some beautiful views and a handful of pictures. Positioned on, The High Point Trail is another breathtaking lookout in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Start this trail at the North Rim Ranger Station. width: 800px; Here the spur to Exclamation Point heads off to the left. Simply retrace your steps along the Canyons edge and through the forests back to the parking lot. Head southwest along the trail until you reach a junction. Become a Contributor at 10Adventures and share your adventures! He was most definitely right! .main-inner .column-left-outer { Change). right: 100%; The Oak Flat Loop is a great little hike in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness. !!!!! He mentioned to be sure to take the short side hike to Exclamation Point. The Exclamation Point Trail is one of our favorite scenic hikes in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The North Rim Campground, which is just south of the trailhead, has amazing campsites overlooking the Black Canyon of the Gunnison! BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK, SAND CREEK MASSACRE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. Those continuing to Green Mountain will be rewarded by panoramic vistas, including the San Juan Mountains, the West Elks, Grand Mesa, the Uncompahgre Plateau, and an aerial perspective of the Black Canyon. It's one of those National Parks that makes your jaw drop time and time again.

He was offering a CLIF bar and some Gu to the boys to help the empty tummies. Then you're on top of the Painted Wall, looking back at the crowds on the other side. /* IE6 does not respect left and right together */ There is no better place to take in the grandeur of Black Canyon then from the North Rim. Walk along the, Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Longer and perhaps more rewarding than the nearby Chasm View Nature Trail, the North Vista Trail skirts the canyons flanks for nearly 1.5 mile before reaching the stunning and secluded viewpoint, overlooking the precipitous canyon below. That is Exclamation Point on the other side, where we just were. -->. The loop will give you a tour of the expansive steep-walled scenery. All Rights Reserved.

We hadn't been here since 2005 and when we were here last we did some short hiking along the south rim.

If you still have some gas left in the tank after exploring the Exclamation Point lookout, consider hiking to Green Mountain. Yes, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park charges a fee to enter. What didn't help was the temperature. Be careful with all the ledges and rocks! On your next excursion through Colorado National Parks, add this adventure to your itinerary. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. In Hotchkiss, CO keep following HWY 92 towards Crawford, CO. Once in Crawford, turn right on Dogwood Ave, then immediate left on Fruitland Mesa Rd. At roughly 1.45 miles from the trailhead, hikers are greeted with the much-anticipated 180-degree view of the dizzyingly-steep canyon. In the warmer months, the exposed sections of the trail get very hot, ensure to lather on the sunscreen before you embark on your adventure. This short but sweet trail culminates at one of the National Parks most incredible lookouts over the Canyon-sign us up! This trail follows the mesa as you get to peer down into the canyon, and also leads to Green Mountain (8,563 ft). margin-left: -0; How can you compete with a trail that guides you through lush Colorado woodlands, along the ridge of a ravine and past numerous dumbfounding lookouts? view of Painted Wall from the southern rim. padding-left: 0; (Note: Adventurous hikers can continue on the North Vista Trail to a viewpoint on Green Mountain (8,563), but its not clear that the views are significantly better.). WOW! After passing through an area of sage and oak brush, the trail meanders in a pinyon/juniper forest along the canyon's rim. body { --> The Exclamation Point Trail takes off from the North Vista Trailhead in the Ranger Station Parking Lot. The first overlook is a worthy stop and only takes a few minutes. #layout .region-inner { Bring water as there is little shade on this walk. About 250 yards from the start, hikers catch their first distant glimpse of the Painted Wall, a beautifully-streaked feature of the canyons south-facing walls.

left: 0; min-width: 930px; (LogOut/ Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The adventure to the summit will add on a few miles and steeper elevation gain to the summit, so make sure you are prepared. It was so hot we took a break in the shade.

width: 360px; Thanks random person for letting metake a photo of your tent! Find the trailhead in the Ranger Station Parking Lot off of Black Canyon Road. This is definitely one of the best views in the park! max-width: 930px; When Csmcgranahan heard we'd be visiting Black Canyon he recommended this hike and the climb to Green Mountain. This loop will, Adventure the Cedar Point Nature Trail towards breathtaking views of the Painted Wall and surrounding steep walled cliffs. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of the most magnificent places in the entire State of Colorado. For this hike we had our whole family group going which was exciting. Follow this trail through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness as you admire the distant views of the stone walls. Read more about camping on the North Rimhere. No, dogs are not allowed on this trail. It didn't show up on all maps but just looking at the route on Google Earth I could actually see the bits of trail segment out on the point and so it looked like a go. } Across the deep chasm, one can make out vehiclesand perhaps peoplealong the South Rim Road, seemingly close but hours away across the harrowing gorge. Overlook I think they could have come up with a better name like The Deep Canyon Overlook or Question Mark Point haha (in reference to Exclamation Point). All photos and maps may be freely used for non-commercial purposes when accompanied with a caption giving credit to gjhikes.com. This is one of our favorite lookout trails in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and we know it could be yours as well. On the way back we stopped by Exclamation Point one more time! We were really impressed by this national park! width: 0; You will eventually find yourself at the first viewpoint. (LogOut/ At the Y in the road, continue left on to 7745 Road for 1.2 miles, then turn right on Black Canyon Rd. At the intersection, veer left and head south. min-width: 930px; Yay, we made it to Green Mountain! The summit doesnt really stand out, but is only another 2 miles from the point and worth the time.

Yet the trail at first keeps its distance from the main canyon, instead skirting a series of side drainages, which come in gently from the north before dropping precipitously to the Gunnison off to the left. Enjoy the impressive views of the gorge and the Gunnison River below. } The real climb on this trail comes after the Exclamation Point detour where the trail climbs up Green Mountain. The boys were getting hungry at the turnaround and only my father had brought anything. This lookout sits on the edge of the Canyon and delivers stunning views of the steep-walled gorge below. Continue through the brush landscape until you reach tree coverage. After you've finished admiring the best view of Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the entire park, be sure to continue your hike up to the top of Green Mountain (7-miles total from the North Rim Ranger Station, roundtrip). Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Fees vary and are charged per vehicle. The summit to Green Mountain follows west along the North Vista Trail. We always have to bag a peak where we go. This scenic trail will guide hikers through dense forests and exposed ridges. More than a mere punctuation mark, Exclamation Point is also the name for a prominent vista along the North Rim in Colorados Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This is a very short hike dogs are allowed on this trail but must be leashed. right: 360px; width: 360px; Then the trail heads into the trees. The hike back out went uneventfully, just hot. Keep hiking past the first overlook, and youll see the trail split for Exclamation Point. Its not often we all get to hike together. It was a fairly simple trail and hit precisely what we were hoping for in a good reasonable length hike with plenty of good views and good trail. } We all carried water and kept on drinking it. This image of my son, Curtis, and me was taken in August 2006 when we hiked the trail to Green Mountain. .main-inner .column-right-outer { This trail checks all the boxes: family-friendly, varying terrain, and scenic beyond belief. Allsites are $16/night, and there are only 13 campsites. I had been following our progress on the BackCountry Navigator app on my phone and so I knew it was coming. Get your app, Hiking My First 14er Handies Peak, Colorado, Hiking to Silver Lake & Silver Glance Lake. Exclamation Point really does live up to its name WOW! min-width: 0;