We left home about 9:30 Saturday morning, picnic lunch in tow, and headed North on Hwy 50 for Dominguez Canyon. The day
was beautiful! Less than 45 minutes later we turned left (west) at mile marker 52, drove 3 miles on a well maintained gravel road
to the parking lot which is adjacent to the railroad tracks and the Gunnison River.
The trail is easy to moderate. The first mile is along the railroad tracks. You will then come to the historic Bridgeport hanging
bridge which has been closed for years. Just beyond it is the new pedestrian bridge. Horses and mules are welcome but you will
have to dismount to cross the bridge. Whoever designed it didn’t take height into consideration.
The further you walk the more spectacular the canyon becomes!
You can hike 6.6 miles from the pedestrian bridge to an area called Lightening Basin, then another 11.2 miles to the Black Point
Trailhead. This is about at 8,000 feet in elevation on the Uncompaghre Plateau.
Since this was our first hike of the season we didn’t venture to the end. However, we hope to return when the wildflowers are in
bloom.
There are no restrooms to be found so it might be worth it to make a stop as you go thru Delta. City Market is on the left. If you
haven't packed a lunch they have a great deli department.
We didn't hike it that day but will return soon.
|
|
Papa Dootz at New Pedestrian Bridge
|
|
|
|
Historic Bridgeport Hanging Bridge
|
|
|
|
The Old Corral in the Canyon
|
|
DAY TRIP TO LITTLE DOMINGUEZ CREEK CANYON
|
On our way back to Montrose we turned right at the Escalante Canyon turnoff. to go to the McCarty Traihead. You will go
about 5 m iles (crossing the Gunnison River about mid way) to the trailhead which will be on your right.