Canyons Close to Home

April 2020  |  Southwest Colorado

Yearning for some closer-to-home adventure this spring, we ventured out for a few quick overnight backpack trips to explore some canyon and desert areas along the Dolores and Gunnison Rivers, both major river drainages of the San Juan Mountains where we live in southwest Colorado.

Sunset light on rugged canyon country in The Palisade Wilderness Study Area in western Colorado near the town of Gateway.

Sunset light on rugged canyon country in The Palisade Wilderness Study Area in western Colorado near the town of Gateway.

Morning light shines on sandstone cliffs above the Dolores River as it flows across the stateline from Colorado into Utah, where...

Morning light shines on sandstone cliffs above the Dolores River as it flows across the stateline from Colorado into Utah, where it will eventually join the Colorado River northeast of Moab.

Sunrise over La Sal Mountains in Utah, as seen from above the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area in western Colorado.

Sunrise over La Sal Mountains in Utah, as seen from above the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area in western Colorado.

Panoramic view overlooking the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area near Bedrock, Colorado.

Panoramic view overlooking the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area near Bedrock, Colorado.

Sunrise light above the Dolores River, within the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

Sunrise light above the Dolores River, within the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

Collard Lizard above the Gunnison Gorge.

Collard Lizard above the Gunnison Gorge.

Sunrise light reflects in a calm stretch of the Gunnison River. If you look closely you can see a family of geese swimming across...

Sunrise light reflects in a calm stretch of the Gunnison River. If you look closely you can see a family of geese swimming across the pool.

Moonset over canyonlands of southwest Colorado.

Moonset over canyonlands of southwest Colorado.

Overlooking some gooseneck river bends in the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

Overlooking some gooseneck river bends in the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

A pinyon pine illuminated by sunset light high on the canyon rim above the Dolores River, with La Sal Mountains off in the distance...

A pinyon pine illuminated by sunset light high on the canyon rim above the Dolores River, with La Sal Mountains off in the distance.