Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park are both gems of the American wilderness, each offering unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression on any visitor. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking for a challenging climb or a nature lover looking for a peaceful stroll, these two parks have something for everyone. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between Black Canyon Of The Gunnison and North Cascades, exploring the famous landscapes, popular activities, and of course, the best time to visit each park. So grab your hiking boots and let’s get started on an adventure through two of America’s most spectacular national parks.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. At Black Canyon of the Gunnison, some of the easiest hikes include the South Rim Road Trail, which is a paved trail that offers stunning views of the canyon, and the Chasm View Nature Trail, a short, interpretive trail that leads to a viewpoint of the canyon. Some of the more challenging hikes at Black Canyon of the Gunnison include the Warner Point Nature Trail, a steep and rocky trail that leads to a viewpoint of the canyon, and the Inner Canyon Trail, a strenuous hike that takes visitors down into the canyon to the Gunnison River.
North Cascades National Park also offers a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Some of the easiest hikes include the Happy Creek Trail, which is a short, interpretive trail that leads to a viewpoint of the cascades, and the Lake Helen Trail, a short hike that leads to a beautiful alpine lake. Some of the more challenging hikes at North Cascades National Park include the Eldorado Peak Trail, a strenuous hike that leads to the summit of Eldorado Peak, and the Cascade Pass Trail, a strenuous hike that leads to a viewpoint of the cascades. Both the parks offer a different experience in terms of difficulty level, so it is important to choose the trail based on your physical fitness level and experience.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Point Nature Trail | 2414.01 | 123.7488 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Oak Flat Loop Trail | 2092.142 | 94.7928 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Gunnison Route Trail | 2896.812 | 542.8488 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Painted Wall View Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm View Nature Trail | 965.604 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 5 |
| Exclamation Point | 4667.086 | 110.9472 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Green Mountain Summit Via North Vista Trail | 10460.71 | 373.9896 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gunnison Point Overlook | 321.868 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Rock Nature Trail | 2414.01 | 56.9976 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Warner Route | 6759.228 | 924.7632 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park both offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. Each park has its own unique set of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the American dipper. The park’s steep canyon walls also provide habitat for several bat species, including the big brown bat and the western small-footed bat. In terms of plants, the park is home to a variety of cactus species, as well as sagebrush and pinyon pine.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of animals, including black bears, mountain goats, and marmots. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the American dipper, the golden eagle, and the western tanager. The park’s alpine meadows and subalpine forests also provide habitat for several butterfly species, such as the Rocky Mountain parnassian and the Aurora butterfly. In terms of plants, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers, such as the western pasqueflower and the subalpine lupine.
Overall, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals, birds, and plants. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its unique canyon habitat and the opportunities to see the bat species and other unique animals, while North Cascades National Park is known for its rich alpine and subalpine habitat, and the opportunities to see mountain goats and bears.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Pipit | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Puma |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| American Badger | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
| Northern Pike | Longnose Sucker |
| Mottled Sculpin | Lake Trout |
| Speckled Dace | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Yellowbelly Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Milksnake | Rubber Boa |
| Striped Whipsnake | Western Fence Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park are both known for their stunning landscapes and natural wonders. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to the deepest and narrowest section of the Gunnison River, which has carved a dramatic and steep canyon through the ancient rock. The park offers several scenic overlooks, including Painted Wall View and Chasm View, where visitors can admire the sheer cliffs and stunning colors of the rock formations.
North Cascades National Park is also known for its beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. The park is home to over 300 glaciers and boasts some of the most rugged terrain in the lower 48 states. The park is home to several mountain ranges including the North Cascades, which features peaks such as Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Triumph. The park also offers several hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks, including the Cascade Pass Trail and the Maple Pass Trail, which provide breathtaking views of the glaciers and the surrounding mountains.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but each park offers a slightly different set of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and deep canyon walls, which provide visitors with a unique opportunity to hike, rock climb, and explore the canyon’s rugged beauty. The park’s South Rim Road offers several scenic overlooks, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the canyon. Visitors can also take a leisurely stroll on the South Rim Road Nature Trail, which is a paved and easy trail that offers great views of the canyon. Ranger-led programs, such as guided hikes and evening campfire talks, are also available.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. The park’s alpine meadows, subalpine forests, and rugged peaks provide visitors with ample opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and backpacking. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to fish, boat, and swim in its many lakes and rivers. The park’s scenic drives, such as the North Cascades Highway, offer visitors breathtaking views of the park’s rugged peaks and glaciers. Visitors can also take part in ranger-led programs, such as guided hikes and campfire talks.
Overall, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its unique canyon landscape, while North Cascades National Park is known for its alpine and subalpine habitat, rugged peaks and glaciers. Both park offer unique and spectacular experiences, it depends on what type of activities the visitors are looking for.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park have different seasonal weather patterns. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, located in Colorado, experiences hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall when temperatures are milder. On the other hand, North Cascades National Park, located in Washington state, experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is during the summer when temperatures are mild and the snow has melted, making it easier to access the trails. Both parks have a chance of snow and ice in the winter, making them less accessible during these seasons. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park has a drier climate, while North Cascades National Park receives significant precipitation throughout the year. This can affect the accessibility of trails and the visibility of landscapes in the park.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park are both great options for families looking to experience the natural beauty of the United States. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities that are suitable for children of all ages.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is best known for its steep, narrow canyon that is carved by the Gunnison River. Visitors can explore the canyon by hiking along the rim, taking a scenic drive, or taking a ranger-led tour. Some of the popular hikes include the Rim Rock Nature Trail, which is a short, easy hike, and the South Rim Road, which offers spectacular views of the canyon. The park also offers several picnic areas and campgrounds, making it a great option for families looking to spend the night in the park.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the popular hikes include the easy Trail of the Cedars, which takes visitors through a beautiful old-growth forest, and the strenuous Cascade Pass Trail, which takes hikers to the top of a mountain for stunning views of the surrounding peaks. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities for children, making it a great option for families looking to learn more about the park’s natural and cultural history.
Overall, both Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and North Cascades National Park are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities that are suitable for children of all ages. The choice of park will depend on the type of landscape and activities you are looking for. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is best if you want to see a deep canyon, while North Cascades National Park is best if you want to see rugged mountain landscapes.