High Dynamic Range Photography by Carl Roessler

South Rim

A geological upheaval raised the ancient volcanic rock we see in these galleries into the path of the river. Though the stone was extremely hard, the river over millions of years carved downward through it.In a place like the Grand Canyon, soft sandstone being eroded produced wide canyons. Here, the hardness of the stone resulted in vertical canyons.

The main entrance is on the South Rim. Driving along the paved road along the rim offers a number of spectacular overlooks where we can see the rapids so far below that we must look closely to realize they are raging along, not stationary.

West Portal Road

Near the South Rim entrance to the park, a side road called West Portal road winds steeply down to the river. It is beautiful, especially when the aspens are in their Fall colors. Fishermen drive down and wade out into the river. The area is very quiet unless one is next to the single small waterfall. Above us, the high cliffs of the canyon tower, and the silence is pervasive and calming.

Driving Down West Portal Road

Driving Along River ~ West Portal

Fishermen In River

Small Dam And River

Hillsides Covered With Aspens

Returning Along River at West Portal

Driving Up West Portal Road

North Rim

From the nearby town of Montrose, it is only thirteen miles to the South Rim entrance. To access the North Rim, however, we must drive for an hour and a half around the entire perimeter of the park, in part on dirt roads. The North Rim is therefore visited by far fewer travelers. That is a bonus for those of us who go there, because the views from the North Rim overlooks are spectacular!

Grand Sweep of the Gunnison From Above

View Down on River Looking East

Looking East From Many Peaks

Rapids Below Kneeling Camel

River Below From Exclamation Point

Looking Down From Exclamation Point

Calm River Far Below

River Below Kneeling Camel

Needle Rock near Crawford

When we drive to the North Rim, we pass through the small farming community of Crawford. Just outside the town is an impressive rock formation known as Needle Rock. Needle rock is a splendid example of hard volcanic rock intruding as lava through cracks in softer sedimentary rock—after which the softer rock is gradually eroded away.