Stop 2: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Onto our second stop: Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We drove here after our day at the sand dunes, so we got to our camping spot pretty late. This was our first time to set up camp on our own (i.e., without my parents explaining how to use the tent) and it actually went okay! It was fucking freezing, pitch black, and snowing on us while we did it... so about on par with the rest of our luck currently.

We made it through the night, only waking up to realize we were literally the only car in the campsite (not shocking considering the weather, but still kinda spooky). Either way, we did it!!! Night one was a success! It might seem minor, but shit dude we needed a win. Anyways, we packed up and drove over to the Visitor's Center. There were more people there, which was reassuring.

The East Rim was closed (this is how you get to all of the hikes at the bottom of the canyon) which kinda sucked but it's whatever. Everywhere else we wanted to go was open. We did a few snowy hikes around the rim and the view was INSANE. I'd never heard of Black Canyon until we started planning this trip, but I'm so glad we went. I think we're gonna try and go back in warmer weather so we can hike the bottom. And set up a tent without almost losing our fingers.

They're part of the International Dark Sky Association, and in September they have a lil weekend festival where the views of the stars are supposed to be insane. People come from literally everywhere for it apparently?? You're supposed to be able to see the Milky Way from every single campsite which seems sick as hell.

After hiking for a bit, we left Black Canyon and went into Gunnison. Parker (J and I's friend) was also supposed to come to Black Canyon so he got a hotel, but didn't end up

coming. Thus, leaving a hotel room with no one in it! And we just simply can't have that! (Sorry you couldn't come Parker, but thanks for the hotel!). We explored Gunnison a bit and had the most AMAZING gas station food you could possibly imagine. This place was insane, literally 10/10. If you're ever in Gunnison, Colorado, go to the Powerstop Gas Station. Not fucking kidding. Also the Walmart employees there were like unusually nice??? I dunno it was weird.

Anyways! We packed up and left for Arches National Park the following morning. Pretty solid solo start if you ask me!

xoxo, Drew