Week 1: Donovan Rice treks from Black Canyon of the Gunnison to Delta on the Great Colorado Route

Donovan Rice started hiking on the Great Colorado Route on May 14, starting at Chasm View near the North Rim Ranger Station in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

During his first week out, Rice spent three days navigating on the canyon floor inside the national park, taking in sights such as from Exclamation Point and finding out there was no ‘magical’ thru route out of the canyon that didn’t involve needing ropes, a scary river ford or pack-raft.

“Black Canyon was as epic as I expected,” Rice said.

Entering Day 4, Rice exited the national park heading northwest toward the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area, finding new terrain and experiences in the high desert.

“Gunnison Gorge Wilderness was pretty wild,” Rice said. “Definitely some technical terrain across Red Canyon and Smith Fork. My original route down Smith Fork was too steep and loose, but going further upstream worked and brought me to an abandoned mineshaft.”

After taking a zero day on Day 5 due to rain, hail and muddying conditions in and around Delta, Rice pressed on into the Adobe Badlands Wilderness Study Area on Day 6.

The Adobe Bandlands are described as a moon-like landscape with rainfall averaging about 13 inches per year.

Once north of the badlands, Rice will enter the southern flanks of the Grand Mesa, trekking past Flowing Park Reservoir and Carson Lake before heading west along the southern rim.

In his own words

Most satisfying moment from week 1

• “The most satisfying moment was that my planned route across Gunnison Gorge Wilderness actually worked!” Rice said via text communication. “It’s one of very few areas I couldn’t find any BETA for online, and even the locals were surprised it went. I was particularly proud that my planned route often lined up with game trails. Mother Nature knows best, and it was really gratifying that I had my finger more or less on the pulse.”

Most challenging moment from week 1

• “The most challenging part is muscles soreness in my quads,” Rice said. “Walking downhill, especially steps, can be a bit difficult for me when I first get moving. Things loosen up as the juices get flowing, but stiffness and soreness is a very real challenge for me right now.”

What he’s learned from week 1

• “As for what I learned, I’m increasingly appreciating how cool western Colorado is,” Rice said. “I had a good hunch when planning the route, but now actually being out here has revealed just how cool this part of the state is for outdoor recreation!”