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Warner Route

Canyons

Warner Route

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

Warner Route

Name: Warner Route
Rating: 2

Recommended by 2 hikers

This Highlight goes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness

This segment may be dangerous

Parts of this Highlight comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

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Location: Montrose County, Colorado, United States

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Best Hiking Routes to Warner Route

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1. Warner Point Nature Trail – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

7.61km

05:12

880m

Steep descent from canyon rim to secluded riverside camp along Colorado's dramatic Black Canyon.

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2. Warner Route — South Rim — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

7.35km

05:03

850m

Steep scramble through Douglas fir forests to secluded Gunnison River camping in dramatic canyon depths.

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Tips

Wilko Koning

April 4, 2023

If you want to hike to the inner canyon you need a wilderness permit, which can be obtained at the South Rim Visit Center, and the right gear to get down there. Microspikes are recommended during early spring, fall, and winter. Hiking poles can also be very useful. If you plan to camp at the river, don't forget your overnight gear.

That being said, this is the hardest and longest route into the canyon and overnight travel is highly recommended. This is also a great spot for fishing.

The Warner Route starts just past post #13 on the Warner Point Nature Trail. Keep an eye out for a large serviceberry bush on the left with a small silver sign "Serviceberry Bush." This is where you start your Warner Route adventure. Follow the path to the left but avoid the first drainage and keep hiking west to the lowest saddle on the ridge before you start your descent. The hike is about 2.75 miles long (one way), and presents you with 2.722 ft. of vertical drop. The descent takes between 2 and 3 hours and the ascent around 3.5 - 4.5 hours.

There's 1 mile of river access, and it's also one of the widest spots in the canyon to visit. There are five campsites available and an outhouse.

Before you venture out on an inner canyon hike/scramble you have to realize they all come with a risk. They are very strenuous, there could be poison ivy everywhere, there are very loose rocks, big ledges to climb down and up to, and routing is difficult. Talk to a ranger and do your own research before doing them.

Info about wilderness permits: nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/innercanyon.htm
Warner Point Orientation Video: nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=E07F5D13-305A-401F-825E-28271AB80E44

Vincent Reboul

May 7, 2022

Here you get as close as possible to the gorge and the Gunisson River.

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Details

Informations

Distance 2.21 km

Uphill 20 m

Downhill 790 m

Weather

Sunday 14 December

10°C

-3°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

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Location: Montrose County, Colorado, United States

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Warner Route

1. Warner Point Nature Trail – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

2. Warner Route — South Rim — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

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