The forgotten Colorado - western slope of the Rockies. To see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, you have to climb this hill, then you look down into the canyon. Why didn't the river simply go south, through this valley? Apparently the downcutting of the river has kept up with the uplift of the plateau, so the river is trapped in the canyon, which grows deeper to this day. Notice the snowcapped mountains to the south; these are near the beautiful town of Ouray. Off to the right is the city of Montrose. I keep telling my parents to retire there.