Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Nature & Wildlife in Black Canyon

Flora & Fauna in the Park

WILDLIFE WATCHING   Black Canyon is a great place to go to observe mammals in their native and wild habitat. Wild animals are an important and vital part of our natural ecosystem. We humans can learn a great deal by carefully observing animals.   Wildlife watching can be extremely enjoyable and rewarding if ...

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Animals

Mule Deer When driving through or hiking in Black Canyon, you have the opportunity to see a lot of different kinds of wildlife: elk, coyotes, magpies, eagles. But by far one of the most elegant and visible animals is the mule deer. Mule deer are amazing animals. They have adapted to ...

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Mule Deer

When driving through or hiking in Black Canyon, you have the opportunity to see a lot of different kinds of wildlife: elk, coyotes, magpies, eagles. But by far one of the most elegant and visible animals is the mule deer.   Mule deer are amazing animals. They have adapted to many ...

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Bird Highlights

  Birds   Canyons aren't barriers to birds. In search of food and water, birds can readily fly to depths and heights forbidding for other animals, including humans.   The birds below represent those that live within the various habitats of the canyon, from the rim (top, Great horned owl) to the river (bottom, ...

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Geology

Vernal Mesa Quartz Monzonite The term "Vernal Mesa Quartz Monzonite" was coined by J. F. Hunter in 1925 during his research in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The steepness of the walls of the Black Canyon owe their existence to this rock. The hardness of the rock and the ...

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Natural World

Life Zones PINYON / JUNIPER FOREST The Colorado Plateau is a geologic region characterized by high deserts, deep canyons and "pygmy forests". These features can be found along the Warner Point Nature Trail, the highest elevation on the park's south rim. Pinyon pine and juniper trees dominate this forest type known ...

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