{"id":8307,"date":"2023-09-27T22:59:49","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T14:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=8307"},"modified":"2024-04-24T04:31:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T20:31:42","slug":"20230927gunnison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927gunnison\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 9 of Autumn 2023 Trip to Mountain States, Grand Mesa and Black Canyon of Gunnison"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The nineth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I left Grand Junction in the morning, checked out the nearby Grand Mesa before spending the remainder of the day in the Black Canyon of Gunnison.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9007.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9007.jpg\" alt=\"Black Canyon of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Black Canyon of Gunnison<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:74,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints 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{\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider18 = new Splide( '#splide-major-18', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider18.sync( secondarySlider18 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider19 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-19', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:71,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:40,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider19 = new Splide( '#splide-major-19', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider19.sync( secondarySlider19 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Having checked out the impressive canyons and buttes in Colorado National Monument the previous day, my next stop on this trip was the Black Canyon of Gunnison, which was one of four national parks in Colorado. While it only took 1 hour of driving to reach its gateway town of Montrose, where I would be spending the night, I decided to take a detour onto Grand Mesa, the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Given its elevation, foliage should be great at this time of the year. <\/p>\n<p>Leaving Grand Junction, I70 entered some impressive canyon carved by the Colorado River. <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_103946C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_103946C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Garfield<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A prominent mountain outside Grand Junction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_104100.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_104100.jpg\" width=\"96.9%\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Garfield<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_104214.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_104214.jpg\" width=\"96.9%\" alt=\"Canyon along Colorado River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon along Colorado River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_111001.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_111001.jpg\" width=\"96.9%\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_112042.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_112042.jpg\" width=\"96.9%\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_103946C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_104100.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_104214.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon along Colorado River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_111001.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_112042.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_103946C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_103946C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Garfield<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A prominent mountain outside Grand Junction.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_104100.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_104100.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Garfield<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_104214.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_104214.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon along Colorado River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Canyon along Colorado River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_111001.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_111001.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_112042.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_112042.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Grand_Mesa\">Grand Mesa<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Along CO-65 \/ Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, it&#8217;s a blend of colors on the northern slope of Grand Mesa, as seen from various roadside turnouts along the way. The dark forest green from the coniferous trees scattered around the deciduous aspens in different stages of transition from mint green to amber, creating a pleasing palette scene.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_111858C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_111858C9.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8894.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8894.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fields and Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8895.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8895.jpg\" alt=\"Chalk Mountain before Mountain Ranges\" \/><\/a><\/br>Chalk Mountain before Mountain Ranges<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8896.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8896.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8901.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8901.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8902.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8902.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8904.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8904.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8905.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8905.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage along Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage along Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8900.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8900.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage along Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage along Road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_111858C9.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8894.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8895.jpg\" alt=\"Chalk Mountain before Mountain Ranges\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8896.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8901.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8902.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8904.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8905.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage along Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8900.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage along Road\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos along Grand Mesa Scenic Byway.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_111858C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_111858C9.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8894.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8894.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fields and Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8895.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8895.jpg\" alt=\"Chalk Mountain before Mountain Ranges\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Chalk Mountain before Mountain Ranges<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8896.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8896.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8901.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8901.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8902.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8902.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8904.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8904.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8905.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8905.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage along Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage along Road<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8900.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8900.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage along Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage along Road<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Below is a timelapse video from my windshield-mounted GoPro, recording my entire drive through Grand Mesa.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jDHGWHjHclM\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left;line-height: 100%\">\n<li>0:00 Leaving Interstate 70 at exit 49, onto Colorado State Route 65. This road follows the canyon carved out by Plateau Creek.<\/li>\n<li>2:29 Continue on State Route 65 (after intersection with Route 330), heading onto Grand Mesa.<\/li>\n<li>4:03 An overlook before Powderhorn Mountain Resort.<\/li>\n<li>5:00 Another informal roadside overlook, facing northwest.<\/li>\n<li>5:33 A more established overlook, with better views than the previous one.<\/li>\n<li>5:57 A detour to Mesa Lakes region for some hiking.<\/li>\n<li>6:53 Leaving Mesa Lakes.<\/li>\n<li>7:50 An informal roadside turnout, overlooking Mesa Lakes below.<\/li>\n<li>8:22 Leaving the trailhead of Land of Lakes. A short trail leading to arguably the best views from Grand Mesa, with Elk Mountains to the east and San Juan Mountains to the south, lining the distant horizon.<\/li>\n<li>9:12 Ward Creek Reservoir. The final stop before heading down Grand Mesa.<\/li>\n<li>This video ends upon reaching the town of Cedaredge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span id=\"Mesa_Lakes_Area\">Mesa Lakes Area<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Before reaching the top of Grand Mesa, I made a stop at Mesa Lakes, where a series of lakes dotted the landscape. There, I checked out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/explore\/trail\/us\/colorado\/mesa-lakes-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mesa Lakes Trail (AllTrails link)<\/a>, a signature hike in the region that&#8217;s 5.1km in length with 130m of elevation gain, passing 5 lakes along the way.<\/p>\n<p>And here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=168376497&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=168376497&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_115803.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_115803.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_120958.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_120958.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_122022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_122022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_125043.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_125043.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_125643.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_125643.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132922.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132922.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Trees along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Aspen Trees along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132949.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132949.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_133211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_133211.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_115803.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_120958.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_122022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_125043.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_125643.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_132922.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Trees along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_132949.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_133211.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the trail in Mesa Lakes area.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_115803.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_115803.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_120958.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_120958.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_122022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_122022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_125043.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_125043.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_125643.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_125643.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132922.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132922.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Trees along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Aspen Trees along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132949.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132949.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_133211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_133211.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The trail could be broken into two parts, an out-and-back towards Lost Lake, passing South Mesa Lake along the way, and a loop around Mesa Lake. For the part to Lost Lake, pine trees dominated aspens so there weren&#8217;t many sights of foliage. Apart from South Mesa Lake, there weren&#8217;t many views.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_125806.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_125806.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8909.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8909.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8917.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8917.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8918.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8918.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Rim of Grand Mesa in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_125806.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8909.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8917.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8918.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of South Mesa Lake.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_125806.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_125806.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8909.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8909.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8917.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8917.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8918.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8918.jpg\" alt=\"South Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>South Mesa Lake<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Rim of Grand Mesa in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The trail ended at the shore of Lost Lake, whose water appeared in a mystical emerald color. ChatGPT believed the emerald color was created by snow griding bedrocks into fine particles that scattered light of shorter wavelength more. The steep slope (that trapped snow) and the abundance of rocks around its shores supported this theory, compared to other lakes in the area. They also gave the lake a secluded feeling, as if it&#8217;s detached from the real world where magic could happen.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8912.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8912.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lost Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8913.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8913.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lost Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_124323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_124323.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lost Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_124307.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_124307.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Trees by Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trees by Lost Lake<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8912.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8913.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_124323.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_124307.jpg\" alt=\"Trees by Lost Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Lost Lake.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8912.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8912.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lost Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8913.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8913.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lost Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_124323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_124323.jpg\" alt=\"Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lost Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_124307.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_124307.jpg\" alt=\"Trees by Lost Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trees by Lost Lake<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>While the emerald color of Lost Lake was certainly spectacular in its own, I much anticipated amber of the foliage as the theme color of my day on Grand Mesa, which wasn&#8217;t abundant around Lost Lake. Considering it took a relatively long (and somewhat boring) walk in the woods to reach Lost Lake, I wasn&#8217;t particularly thrilled by what it had to offer.<\/p>\n<p>After tracing my steps back, I continued onto the loop trail around Mesa Lake. Mesa Lake was a larger and more open lake, with more foliage that looked fabulous underneath the sun.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8906.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8906.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8908.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8908.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_131045.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_131045.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8923.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8923.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132332.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132332.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132507.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132507.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132718.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132718.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_133054.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_133054.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Cove of Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cove of Mesa Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8927.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8927.jpg\" alt=\"Beaver Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Beaver Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8928.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8928.jpg\" alt=\"Glacier Springs Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Glacier Springs Lake<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8906.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8908.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_131045.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8923.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_132332.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_132507.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_132718.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_133054.jpg\" alt=\"Cove of Mesa Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8927.jpg\" alt=\"Beaver Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8928.jpg\" alt=\"Glacier Springs Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos around Mesa Lake.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8906.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8906.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8908.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8908.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_131045.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_131045.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8923.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8923.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132332.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132332.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132507.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132507.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_132718.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_132718.jpg\" alt=\"Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_133054.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_133054.jpg\" alt=\"Cove of Mesa Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cove of Mesa Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8927.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8927.jpg\" alt=\"Beaver Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Beaver Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8928.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8928.jpg\" alt=\"Glacier Springs Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Glacier Springs Lake<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, before I left the area, I checked out the nearby Sunset Lake. Slopes were gentle around Sunset Lake, augmenting its breadth. It also featured a fair share of aspen wearing foliage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8929.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8929.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8930.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8930.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The rim of Grand Mesa in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_135542C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_135542C9.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sunset Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8933.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8933.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8947.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8947.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8929.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8930.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_135542C9.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8933.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8947.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Sunset Lake.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8929.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8929.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8930.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8930.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The rim of Grand Mesa in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_135542C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_135542C9.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sunset Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8933.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8933.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8947.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8947.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage around Sunset Lake<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8934_DSC_8946-13.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8934_DSC_8946-13.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage around Sunset lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage around Sunset lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Not long after leaving Sunset Lake, a roadside turnout offered views &#8220;summarizing&#8221; the Mesa Lakes Area. The vantage point showcased the great extent of foliage that was hardly appreciated from the trail. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(This would make a great drone shot, had I brought it for this trip.&#x1F928;)<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8949.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8949.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8950.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Lake Surrounded by Foliage\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sunset Lake Surrounded by Foliage<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8951.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8951.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Tip of Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Northern Tip of Grand Mesa<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8952.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8952.jpg\" alt=\"Water Dog Reservoir before Chalk Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Water Dog Reservoir before Chalk Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8949.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8950.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Lake Surrounded by Foliage\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8951.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Tip of Grand Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8952.jpg\" alt=\"Water Dog Reservoir before Chalk Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8949.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8949.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage on Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Foliage on Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8950.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Lake Surrounded by Foliage\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sunset Lake Surrounded by Foliage<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8951.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8951.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Tip of Grand Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Northern Tip of Grand Mesa<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8952.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8952.jpg\" alt=\"Water Dog Reservoir before Chalk Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Water Dog Reservoir before Chalk Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The previous turnout was just before &#8220;Grand Mesa Nordic Council&#8221; on maps. Despite the name, Grand Mesa Scenic Byway travelled constantly up and down, with only a small portion &#8220;on&#8221; Grand Mesa (I only just made it on top Grand Mesa near the previous turnout). The majority of Grand Meas was now to my west, including the famous &#8220;Lands End Observatory&#8221; with towering views overlooking Grand Valley below. Unfortunately, the road to &#8220;Lands End Observatory&#8221; was largely unpaved and I didn&#8217;t have enough time for the day, so I skipped that.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Land_O_Lakes_Overlook\">Land O Lakes Overlook<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Next along the way was &#8220;Land O Lakes Overlook&#8221;. This was probably the best (if not the only) named overlook along Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. From its parking lot, it&#8217;s an 800m loop trail to the actual overlook with unobstructed views to the south and the east. <\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8956C11C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8956C11C.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Satan's Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Satan&#8217;s Ridge<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">At the overlook, I found this striking group of mountains in the far background to the east. I knew Elk Mountains were to my east. Despite only having seen them on the internet, I instinctively guessed they were Capitol Peak (red) and Snowmass Mountain (blue), two of Colorado\u2019s most challenging (and in the case of Capitol Peak, the most challenging) 14er\u2019s. Connecting the two peaks was a treacherous ridge, appropriately named \u201cSatan\u2019s Ridge\u201d, whose sight was intense even if I was more than 80km away. It\u2019s a pity that I couldn\u2019t get PeakVisor to work on the spot to confirm.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Apart from the distant Elk Mountains, &#8220;Crag Crest&#8221; was a prominent view from the overlook. Looking at satellite images, it seemed to me that Grand Mesa narrowed down to a ridge\/crest as it extended east, which formed this &#8220;Crag Crest&#8221;. To its south, alpine lakes dotted the landscape, and hance the overlook was named &#8220;land of lakes&#8221;. Although only &#8220;Island Lake&#8221; was visible from this overlook. The 16.6km loop trail on and off Crag Crest was a popular one in the region, which I didn&#8217;t have time for today.<br \/>\nIn addition, to the distant south across North Fork Valley, West Elk Mountains and San Juan Mountains popped into view. Down the hazy horizon their rugged and uninterrupted contours were unmistakably the iconic Colorado mountain scene, and it\u2019s not often that they came together into one shot. I planned to climb a few mountains in the San Juan range in the coming days, and this overlook served as an exciting preview of what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8960_DSC_8972-13.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8960_DSC_8972-13.jpg\" alt=\"View from Land O Lakes Overlook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Land O Lakes Overlook<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8975.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8975.jpg\" alt=\"Island Lake before Crag Crest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Island Lake before Crag Crest<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8954.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8954.jpg\" alt=\"Island Lake before Crag Crest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Island Lake before Crag Crest<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8977.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8977.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Fields and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fields and Distant Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Elk Mountains in the background left, San Juan Mountains in the background right.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8959C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8959C9.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Distant West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant West Elk Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">East Beckwith Mountain in the center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8973.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8973.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and Distant West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lakes and Distant West Elk Mountains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8975.jpg\" alt=\"Island Lake before Crag Crest\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8954.jpg\" alt=\"Island Lake before Crag Crest\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8977.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8959C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8973.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and Distant West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-9, #splide-thumb-9 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Land O Lakes Overlook.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8975.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8975.jpg\" alt=\"Island Lake before Crag Crest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Island Lake before Crag Crest<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8954.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8954.jpg\" alt=\"Island Lake before Crag Crest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Island Lake before Crag Crest<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8977.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8977.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fields and Distant Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Elk Mountains in the background left, San Juan Mountains in the background right.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8959C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8959C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant West Elk Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">East Beckwith Mountain in the center.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8973.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8973.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and Distant West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lakes and Distant West Elk Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After &#8220;Land O Lakes Overlook&#8221;, Grand Mesa Scenic Byway started its descent from Grand Mesa. I tried to check out &#8220;Grand Mesa Visitor Center&#8221; down the corner but unfortunately it&#8217;s closed. Based on the looks from the previous overlook, the alpine lakes near &#8220;Crag Crest&#8221; were surrounded by coniferous forest so there wasn&#8217;t much foliage. So I quickly checked out &#8220;Ward Creek Reservoir&#8221; along the road, before continuing south.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_150545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_150545.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Ward Creek Reservoir\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ward Creek Reservoir<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8981.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8981.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek Reservoir\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ward Creek Reservoir<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8980.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8980.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ward Creek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_150545.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek Reservoir\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8981.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek Reservoir\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8980.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-10, #splide-thumb-10 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Ward Creek Reservoir.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_150545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_150545.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek Reservoir\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ward Creek Reservoir<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8981.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8981.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek Reservoir\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ward Creek Reservoir<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8980.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8980.jpg\" alt=\"Ward Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ward Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>As elevation lowered, foliage appeared on the deciduous trees and bushes. Some of the bushes had fiery red leaves, a welcome addition to the amber from aspens earlier.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_140639.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_140639.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151219.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151219.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151230.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151230.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151255.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151255.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151557.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151557.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151619C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151619C9.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_140639.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_151219.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_151230.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_151255.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_151557.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_151619C9.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-11, #splide-thumb-11 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos along the road.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_140639.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_140639.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151219.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151219.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151230.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151230.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151255.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151255.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151557.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151557.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_151619C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_151619C9.jpg\" alt=\"Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>A quick conclusion of Grand Mesa. While it offered some medium to long hiking trails, I felt it\u2019s a proper destination for a road trip, in that the best it had to offer was never far from the road, be it the aspen grove surrounding Sunset Lake, or the spectacular mountains from &#8220;Land O Lakes Overlook&#8221;. Driving nonstop from Grand Junction to Montrose, Google estimated a detour to Grand Mesa only added one hour to the trip, which was well worth it especially during this time of year where the forest had the most vibrant colors. In addition, Grand Mesa was popular for winter activities too as its elevation meant it often saw snowfall well into June, so maybe in the future I would check it out in a different season.<\/p>\n<p>After that, I headed towards Montrose where I had a late lunch. After dropping off luggage at my overnight hotel, I headed towards Black Canyon of the Gunnison.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Black_Canyon_of_Gunnison\">Black Canyon of Gunnison<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This was a national park, encompassing parts of Gunnison River where it flew through a very steep canyon. The canyon was so steep that parts of its bottom only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day. As a result, the canyon was often in shadows, and its walls appearing dark, hence the name.<br \/>\nThe park has two visitor entrances, the south rim from Montrose with the most facilities, and the north rim from Crawford with unpaved roads. Since I didn&#8217;t like unpaved roads with my car, I only visited the south rim.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Gunnison_Point\">Gunnison Point<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This was the first overlook after entering the park, next to the visitor center, where the size and the overwhelming steepness of the canyon was in full display.<br \/>\nA number of factors contributed to the canyon&#8217;s steepness, mostly Gunnison River as it made a very rapid descent flowing through the area while carving out the canyon. The many torrents (such as p3 below) could attest this.<br \/>\nAs for the canyon walls near Gunnison Point, they had some striking vertical features that extended their entire height. Looking downstream, the myriad layers of the canyon (p5 below)and their soaring heights were reminiscent of skyscrapers in a futuristic metropolis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_171033.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_171033.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Gunnison River from Gunnison Point\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison River from Gunnison Point<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9058.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken towards the end of the day after sunset, so there were no shadows in the canyon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8988.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8988.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison River from Gunnison Point\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison River from Gunnison Point<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8989.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8989.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Poison Spring Hill across Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Poison Spring Hill across Gunnison Canyon<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Relatively flat fields and steep canyon walls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9063.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9063.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon Downstream\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon Downstream<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Taken towards the end of the day after sunset, unfortunately in this shot there were shadows from the moon.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_171033.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison River from Gunnison Point\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9058.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8988.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison River from Gunnison Point\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8989.jpg\" alt=\"Poison Spring Hill across Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9063.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon Downstream\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-12, #splide-thumb-12 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Gunnison Point.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_171033.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_171033.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison River from Gunnison Point\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison River from Gunnison Point<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9058.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken towards the end of the day after sunset, so there were no shadows in the canyon.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8988.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8988.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison River from Gunnison Point\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison River from Gunnison Point<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8989.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8989.jpg\" alt=\"Poison Spring Hill across Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Poison Spring Hill across Gunnison Canyon<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Relatively flat fields and steep canyon walls.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9063.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9063.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon Downstream\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon Downstream<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Taken towards the end of the day after sunset, unfortunately in this shot there were shadows from the moon.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Pulpit_Rock\">Pulpit Rock<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Next I made a stop at Pulpit Rock Overlook. Despite its name, I couldn&#8217;t quite tell which piece of rock was the actual &#8220;Pulpit Rock&#8221;. The difference in gradient of the canyon&#8217;s two rims were most evident here, where the north rim (left) was much steeper than the south (right). It&#8217;s believed that the north rim got more sunshine with faster snow melt, and hence received less erosion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-19\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8992_RawExp.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8992_RawExp.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_172836.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_172836.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-19\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8992_RawExp.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_172836.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-19, #splide-thumb-19 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Pulpit Rock Overlook.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8992_RawExp.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8992_RawExp.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_172836.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_172836.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Pulpit Rock<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Devil8217s_Lookout\">Devil&#8217;s Lookout<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Next I checked out Devil&#8217;s Lookout. Like many overlooks in the park, this lookout was located a short walk away from the road. This part of the south rim had seen heavier erosion, as I found myself among more textured rocks that appeared as isolated pillars or islands. <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8995C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8995C11.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders in Parallel\" \/><\/a><\/br>Boulders in Parallel<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The three nearby overlooks (Devil\u2019s Lookout, Rock Point and Cross Fissures View) are similar, in that they followed mini ridges \/ peninsulas that extended into Gunnison Canyon. I picked Devil\u2019s Lookout since it\u2019s the furthest one could go. The red arrow indicated the nearby \u201cRock Point\u201d lookout. The boulders extended beyond the overlook for some distance, but they were too rugged to make a hiking trail on top.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8997C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8997C11.jpg\" width=\"60%\" alt=\"Gap between Boulders\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gap between Boulders<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The boulders beyond the nearby \u201cRock Point\u201d overlook was too rugged for a hiking trail. Here a gap formed between two vertical walls, like a portal or gate.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8999.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8999.jpg\" width=\"97%\" alt=\"West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>West Elk Mountains<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Landsend Peak, Coal Mountain and (a little bit of) Mount Lamborn. The access road of Gunnison\u2019s North Rim also visible.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9002C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9002C11.jpg\" width=\"97%\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Torrents along Gunnison River<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Among the three nearby overlooks this was likely the only one with direct views of Gunnison River down below.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_174344.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_174344.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Chasm\" \/><\/a><\/br>Chasm<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Between Devil\u2019s Lookout and Rock Point.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9003C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9003C11.jpg\" width=\"92%\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Looking east. Erosion separated Cross Fissures View (red arrow) from the island in the center background with a gap. Erosion created cracks and rugged surface of boulders on this side of the canyon.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9004.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9004.jpg\" alt=\"Walls of Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Walls of Gunnison Canyon<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The signature white strips came into view.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8995C11.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders in Parallel\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8997C11.jpg\" alt=\"Gap between Boulders\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8999.jpg\" alt=\"West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9002C11.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_174344.jpg\" alt=\"Chasm\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9003C11.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9004.jpg\" alt=\"Walls of Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-13, #splide-thumb-13 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos around Devil&#8217;s Lookout.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8995C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8995C11.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders in Parallel\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Boulders in Parallel<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The three nearby overlooks (Devil\u2019s Lookout, Rock Point and Cross Fissures View) are similar, in that they followed mini ridges \/ peninsulas that extended into Gunnison Canyon. I picked Devil\u2019s Lookout since it\u2019s the furthest one could go. The red arrow indicated the nearby \u201cRock Point\u201d lookout. The boulders extended beyond the overlook for some distance, but they were too rugged to make a hiking trail on top.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8997C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8997C11.jpg\" alt=\"Gap between Boulders\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gap between Boulders<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The boulders beyond the nearby \u201cRock Point\u201d overlook was too rugged for a hiking trail. Here a gap formed between two vertical walls, like a portal or gate.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_8999.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_8999.jpg\" alt=\"West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>West Elk Mountains<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Landsend Peak, Coal Mountain and (a little bit of) Mount Lamborn. The access road of Gunnison\u2019s North Rim also visible.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9002C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9002C11.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Torrents along Gunnison River<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Among the three nearby overlooks this was likely the only one with direct views of Gunnison River down below.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_174344.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_174344.jpg\" alt=\"Chasm\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Chasm<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Between Devil\u2019s Lookout and Rock Point.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9003C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9003C11.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Looking east. Erosion separated Cross Fissures View (red arrow) from the island in the center background with a gap. Erosion created cracks and rugged surface of boulders on this side of the canyon.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9004.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9004.jpg\" alt=\"Walls of Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Walls of Gunnison Canyon<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The signature white strips came into view.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>To be honest, I couldn&#8217;t appreciate why this spot was called &#8220;Devil&#8217;s Lookout&#8221; as I didn&#8217;t find anything devious. Maybe the layered canyon view to the northwest?<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Cedar_Point\">Cedar Point<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Then it&#8217;s another highlight of the park, its &#8220;painted&#8221; canyon walls.<br \/>\nThe walls of Gunnison Canyon were some of the oldest on earth (1.7 billion years old, about one-third of earth&#8217;s age). Among these canyon walls were white stripes made of Pegmatite, formed by molten rock that intruded into existing rocks. It&#8217;s most obvious at &#8220;Painted Wall&#8221; where a sheer vertical wall was interleaved by a few striking white horizontal stirpes. Since I couldn&#8217;t find parking at &#8220;Painted Wall View&#8221;, I drove to the next overlook of &#8220;Cedar Point&#8221;.<br \/>\nApart from the painted walls, it&#8217;s also a good spot to watch the Gunnison River flowing downstream amid the lofty canyon it carved through.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_180259.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_180259.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Black Canyon of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><\/br>Black Canyon of Gunnison<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_180441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_180441.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><\/br>Painted Wall of Gunnison<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9008.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><\/br>Painted Wall of Gunnison<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9009.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9009.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><\/br>Painted Wall of Gunnison<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9011.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9011.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Torrents along Gunnison River<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_180259.jpg\" alt=\"Black Canyon of Gunnison\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_180441.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9008.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9009.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9011.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-14, #splide-thumb-14 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Cedar point.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_180259.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_180259.jpg\" alt=\"Black Canyon of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Black Canyon of Gunnison<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_180441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_180441.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Painted Wall of Gunnison<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9008.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Painted Wall of Gunnison<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9009.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9009.jpg\" alt=\"Painted Wall of Gunnison\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Painted Wall of Gunnison<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9011.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9011.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Torrents along Gunnison River<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Warner_Point\">Warner Point<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Then I checked out Warner Point, which required a short 2.4km out-and-back trail from the western end of South Rim Road.<\/p>\n<p>Along the trail, from time to time, clearing amid plants offered some views, such as San Juan Mountains to the south and West Elk Mountains to the north, in addition to the painted walls of Gunnison Canyon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_182939.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_182939.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_183155.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_183155.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9022.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mendicant Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mendicant Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Parking lot for &#8220;Sunset View&#8221; in the foreground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9025.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9025.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Uncompahgre Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Uncompahgre Mountains to the South<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Uncompahgre Peak in the background left.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9026.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9026.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Fields and Distant Sneffels Range Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fields and Distant Sneffels Range Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Mount Sneffels as the prominent mountain in the center background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9023.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9023.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9028.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9028.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_182939.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_183155.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9022.jpg\" alt=\"Mendicant Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9025.jpg\" alt=\"Uncompahgre Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9026.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Distant Sneffels Range Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9023.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9028.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-15, #splide-thumb-15 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the trail to Warner Point.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_182939.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_182939.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_183155.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_183155.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9022.jpg\" alt=\"Mendicant Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mendicant Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Parking lot for &#8220;Sunset View&#8221; in the foreground.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9025.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9025.jpg\" alt=\"Uncompahgre Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Uncompahgre Mountains to the South<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Uncompahgre Peak in the background left.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9026.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9026.jpg\" alt=\"Fields and Distant Sneffels Range Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fields and Distant Sneffels Range Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Mount Sneffels as the prominent mountain in the center background.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9023.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9023.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9028.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9028.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>While Warner Point featured the greatest depth of the Gunnison Canyon compared to the overlooks earlier, it&#8217;s further laid back from the canyon, so it didn&#8217;t have the feeling of a sheer dropoff. In addition, further west Gunnison Canyon no longer featured steep walls (p3-4 below) that kept me captivated for the day. Given that the hike to Warner Point was significantly longer than other overlooks, unfortunately this was my least favorite of the day.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9014.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9015.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9015.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9018.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9018.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9021.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9021.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9014.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9015.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9018.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9021.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-16, #splide-thumb-16 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Warner Point.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9014.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9015.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9015.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon before West Elk Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9018.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9018.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9021.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9021.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Sunset_View\">Sunset View<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s approaching sunset time, and since I was disappointed by what Warner Point had to offer, I decided to watch sunset at &#8220;Sunset View&#8221;. After racing back from Warner Point, I pulled into the last parking spot at &#8220;Sunset View&#8221;, right in time for the sunset.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_190104.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_190104.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9039.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9039.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9034.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9034.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9038.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9038.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Gunnison Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9031.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9031.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sunset<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9043.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9043.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow over Western Horizon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sunset Glow over Western Horizon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9037.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9037.jpg\" alt=\"Walls of Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Walls of Gunnison Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9035.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9035.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Torrents along Gunnison River<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_190104.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9039.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9034.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9038.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9031.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9043.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow over Western Horizon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9037.jpg\" alt=\"Walls of Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9035.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-17, #splide-thumb-17 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Sunset Point.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_190104.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_190104.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9039.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9039.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9034.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9034.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Sunset View<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9038.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9038.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Gunnison Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9031.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9031.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sunset<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9043.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9043.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow over Western Horizon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sunset Glow over Western Horizon<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9037.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9037.jpg\" alt=\"Walls of Gunnison Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Walls of Gunnison Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9035.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9035.jpg\" alt=\"Torrents along Gunnison River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Torrents along Gunnison River<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I felt the views here were better than Warner Point, in that more of Gunnison River was visible. I envisioned the view would be more spectacular had the sun set directly above Gunnison River\/Canyon. Here the river flew west-northwest and the sun set strictly towards the west (near autumnal equinox). For this season, I figured maybe a better spot to watch the sunset was Cedar Point \/ Dragon Point.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Chasm_View\">Chasm View<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>In the twilight hours after sunset, I made a final stop at Chasm View (since this time I could find parking). This was the narrowest point of the canyon, with its two rims separated by 400 meters (and the river almost 600m below), hence the name &#8220;chasm&#8221;. A finishing touch for my day at Black Canyon of Gunnison.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_191224.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_191224.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff across Chasm View\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff across Chasm View<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_191248.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_191248.jpg\" width=\"60%\" alt=\"Pinyon Draw\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pinyon Draw<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">One of the few trails leading from north rim to Gunnison River, on an incline that\u2019s not as steep compared to the cliffs in front of me on the south rim.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9046.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9046.jpg\" width=\"59%\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Chasm View\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Chasm View<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_191031.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_191031.jpg\" width=\"66%\" alt=\"Cliff across Chasm View\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff across Chasm View<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_191224.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff across Chasm View\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_191248.jpg\" alt=\"Pinyon Draw\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_9046.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Chasm View\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails-s\/20230927_191031.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff across Chasm View\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-18, #splide-thumb-18 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Chasm View.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_191224.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_191224.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff across Chasm View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff across Chasm View<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_191248.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_191248.jpg\" alt=\"Pinyon Draw\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pinyon Draw<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">One of the few trails leading from north rim to Gunnison River, on an incline that\u2019s not as steep compared to the cliffs in front of me on the south rim.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/DSC_9046.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/DSC_9046.jpg\" alt=\"Gunnison Canyon from Chasm View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gunnison Canyon from Chasm View<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/20230927_191031.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/09\/27\/thumbnails\/20230927_191031.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff across Chasm View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff across Chasm View<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After that, I headed out of the park and back to Montrose where I spent the night.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The nineth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I left Grand Junction in the morning, checked out the nearby Grand Mesa before spending the remainder of the day in the Black Canyon of Gunnison.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[621,2],"tags":[631,632],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8307"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8307"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8307\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8757,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8307\/revisions\/8757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}