Hiking the North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point & Green Mountain in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 6.9 miles / 11.1 km
The North Vista Trail on the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a day hike that goes by many names, largely due to the destination that hikers choose to visit.
These include the North Vista Trail, the Exclamation Point Trail, and the Green Mountain Trail—all of which are encompassed in this 6.9-mile (11.1 km) adventure on the North Rim.
That being said, most who hike the North Vista Trail only go as far as Exclamation Point, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) each way, with Green Mountain being far less trafficked due to the extra 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to reach the summit past the Exclamation Point turnoff.
This is all to say that the North Vista Trail is truly what you make of it, and beautiful views can be seen as early as the 0.8-mile (1.3 km) mark at the North Vista Overlook, above Pinyon Draw.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
North Vista Trailhead Parking
The North Vista Trailhead can be found adjacent to the North Rim Ranger Station, which is exactly where the trailhead parking is located.
With that in mind, the North Rim Ranger Station/ North Vista Trailhead is the busiest parking area on the North Rim of Black Canyon, meaning that it’s not common, but also not unheard of, for all parking spaces to be taken during the busy summer travel season.
However, the North Rim is visited far less compared to the South, which is why finding a spot to park at the Ranger Station or nearby on North Rim Road is usually never an issue.
Google Maps Directions: North Rim Ranger Station
Hiking Checklist - Black Canyon
Black bears are known to be found everywhere from the plateaus along the canyon rim to the steep routes that lead down to the Gunnison River, and everywhere in between.
That being said, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the North Vista Trail
The North Vista Trail begins just to the left of the North Rim Ranger Station and traverses the Sagebrush-Gambel Oak-Pinyon Pine plateaus along the rim of Black Canyon.
Not long after beginning the hike, the North Vista Trail enters the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness.
However, unlike the steep routes that begin on the rim and lead down to the Gunnison River, wilderness permits are not required here, on the Deadhorse Trail, or on the Chasm View Nature Trail.
This is where the North Vista Trail passes by the upper reaches of Pinyon Draw.
Whether you’re just hiking as far as Exclamation Point or as far as Green Mountain, it’s important to know that Black Bears are found in their highest numbers along plateaus of Black Canyon.
With that in mind, carrying bear spray is never a bad idea if you know how to use it, but of all the bear encounters that I’ve had in Black Canyon, they typically seem to mind their own business, so long as they know you’re there without surprising them.
North Vista Overlook (Pinyon Draw Overlook)
At about 0.8 miles (1.3 km), the North Vista Trail comes to this overlook above Pinyon Draw, formerly known as S.O.B. Draw.
From here, there are only 0.7 miles (1.1 km) left to hike to reach Exclamation Point, which, in my opinion, is the best viewpoint on the entire trail!
North Vista-Exclamation Point Junction
Following the North Vista Overlook, the trail splits once again at the 1.3-mile (2.1 km) mark, with a short loop that leads out to Exclamation Point.
That being said, go left for Exclamation Point, or right to continue on the North Vista Trail to Green Mountain.
Exclamation Point Loop Trail
At the loop around Exclamation Point, I don’t think there’s one best direction to hike, but in these photos, I chose to go left.
Exclamation Point
Exclamation Point is a beautiful southeast-facing viewpoint up the narrowest river corridor within Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Here, the rim stands at roughly 1,870 ft. (570 m) above the Gunnison River below, but unlike the nearby Chasm View, Exclamation Point does not have railings, which is why it’s important to exercise caution here more than anywhere else on the trail—especially when hiking with young kids!
North Vista-Exclamation Point Junction
Once back at the Exclamation Point junction, there’s the option to turn right to return to the North Rim Ranger Station, or left onto the North Vista Trail to Green Mountain.
Needless to say, I kept hiking further, which adds about 1.9 miles (3.1 km) each way to reach the main viewpoint on Green Mountain, near the top of the incline.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
As the North Vista Trail turns away from the canyon rim toward Green Mountain, the trail begins climbing gradually, with the steepest sections being the five switchbacks that lead up to the summit.
This is where the incline of the steepest five switchbacks is felt the most, most notably from the fourth switchback to the top of Green Mountain.
These are the final steps to the summit of Green Mountain.
Green Mountain
According to the National Park Service, the summit of Green Mountains stands at 8,576 ft. (2,614 m), which is noticeably higher than the North Rim down below.
Here, visitors can enjoy views down Black Canyon to the west, but I think for obvious reasons, Exclamation Point is my favorite vantage point on the North Vista Trail.
Green Mountain Loop Trail
Past the main Green Mountain viewpoint, the trail splits into a short, 0.1-mile (0.2 km) loop around the summit.
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
More Black Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Most obviously, be careful around the rim of Black Canyon! It happens all too often at places like this—the Grand Canyon, Angels Landing, etc.—that someone falls in!
On a different note, if you decide to hike into Black Canyon, take it slow, and stagger yourself from the other people in your group and others on the trail, as many of the gullies are filled with loose rock that can be problematic for those below.
Additionally, learn how to identify Poison Ivy, as there is not one area along the Gunnison River where I haven’t seen it.
Finally, be aware that Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Black Bear and mountain lion territory, and while hiking in Black Bear territory usually presents less danger as opposed to grizzlies, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea. However, it’s really up to your own discretion and comfort level.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
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