Waterfall Hero Hikes: Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area is a National Park Service Unit along the upper Gunnison River in Montrose and Gunnison Counties, Colorado. There are three reservoirs on the Upper Gunnison - Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal Reservoirs. The recreation area provides a number of activities along the reservoirs, including boating, fishing, camping, and hiking. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is immediately downstream of the recreation area on the Gunnison River.

Contact Information:

102 Elk Creek

Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone: (970) 641-2337 x205

Map:

Hiking:

There are several trails throughout the recreation area, but I've only hiked one.

Dillon Pinnacles Trail:

Dillon Pinnacles Trailhead is along US-50 just over Middle Bridge on Blue Mesa Reservoir. This two-mile trail follows the north shore of the reservoir and then climbs up Dillon Gulch and then runs along the base of the pinnacles.

Points of Interest:

Dillon Pinnacles:

Dillon Pinnacles are located on the north shore of Sapinero Basin in Blue Mesa Reservoir. There are visible along much of the Dillon Pinnacles Trail. The pinnacles form when erosive forces were away the hillside. Erosion-resistant rock at the top forms a cap and protects the weaker underlying rock, thus forming spires and pinnacles.