Hiking the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Distance: 1.9 miles / 3.1 km
The Rim Rock and Uplands Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are two separate day hikes near the South Rim Visitor Center that are commonly combined to create a single 1.9-mile (1.3 km) loop.
That said, both trails are unique in their own ways. The Rim Rock Trail is a favorite because it offers amazing views as it traverses along the edges of the South Rim of Black Canyon, while the Uplands Trail is a favorite because of the opportunity to see wildlife, specifically Black Bears. This is why I recommend hiking the trail in the early morning or evening hours if seeing wildlife is something that you’re interested in experiencing!
Nevertheless, the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail is a fairly easy, straightforward day hike with very little elevation change over the course of the loop, making it a great day hike for visitors of all ages!
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!
Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail is located at the South Rim Visitor Center, which can be one of the busiest trailheads during the summer travel season.
I say this because the parking area not only serves the visitor center and Rim Rock-Uplands Loop, but it’s also the trailhead for the Oak Flat Loop Trail, as well as the Gunnison Route into Black Canyon.
With that in mind, visitors can consider parking at the Tomichi Point Overlook if the South Rim Visitor Center is too busy, which is a great alternative trailhead to pick up the loop at a point on the Rim Rock Trail that most visitors never utilize.
Google Maps Directions: South Rim Visitor Center
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 Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail
When beginning from the South Rim Visitor Center, the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail can either start here at the Rim Rock Trailhead on the south side of the parking lot or behind the visitor center on the Oak Flat Loop Trail to pick up the Uplands Trail after hiking 0.2 miles (0.3 km).
Considering these options, I chose to begin on the Rim Rock Trail, but I truly don’t think that there’s one best direction to hike the loop unless early morning light on the Rim Rock side is something that you’re interested in seeing.
Rim Rock Trail
It doesn’t take long for the views on the Rim Rock Trail to open up after beginning the hike!
Tomichi Point Overlook
This is where the Rim Rock Trail passes beneath the Tomichi Point Overlook, which is why I previously mentioned that Tomichi Point can serve as a good alternative trailhead to the much busier South Rim Visitor Center.
Rim Rock-Tomichi Route Junction
Not long after Tomichi Point, the Rim Rock Trail splits with the Tomichi Route, which is one of seven different routes that descends steeply down into Black Canyon.
That being said, the Tomichi Route is generally regarded as the most challenging route, but it is not the route with the most elevation change, as that is reserved for the Warner Route at the very far end of South Rim Road.
This is all without mentioning that permits are required to hike down the Tomichi Route Trail or any route into Black Canyon, which is mostly due to safety and accountability concerns, given the steep trail’s inherent risks and difficulty.
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!
Rim Rock-Uplands Junction
After 0.8 miles (1.3 km), the Rim Rock Trail meets the Uplands Trail, which begins the return loop back to the South Rim Visitor Center.
At this split, you can either go straight to finish the Rim Rock Trail at the South Rim Campground, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away, or go right to begin the 0.8-mile (1.3 km) Uplands Trail, which doesn’t include the final portion on the Oak Flat Loop Trail to finish the hike.
Uplands Trail
Needless to say, I chose to go right on the Uplands Trail.
South Rim Road
This is the first of two separate times the Uplands Trail crosses South Rim Road.
That said, be cautious when crossing, as visitors who don’t hike the loop typically aren’t aware that a trail crosses the road when driving along the South Rim.
This next stretch of the Uplands Trail is exactly why I love to hike the trail in the early morning and late evening hours.
I say this because the Gambel Oak forest in the Uplands of Black Canyon are among the best places to see Black Bears within the National Park.
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.
My best advice when it comes to looking for Black Bears is to listen for sounds that are obviously not hikers, most often coming from a direction off the trail.
I say this because Black Bears can be very discreet, or they can make much more noise than you may think, such as breaking sticks and heavy breathing, among other things.
Therefore, listening for a bear is almost always a better strategy than hoping to see one randomly by stumbling across it.
South Rim Road
This is the second time the Uplands Trail crosses South Rim Road, which is located about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from the end of the Uplands Trail and the beginning of the Oak Flat Loop Trail.
Uplands-Oak Flat Loop Junction
After 1.7 miles (2.7 km), the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail ends at the junction with the Oak Flat Loop Trail.
Here, go right on the upper half of the Oak Flat Loop to begin the remaining 0.2 miles (0.3 km) back to the South Rim Visitor Center.
Read My Separate Post: Oak Flat Loop Trail
Oak Flat Loop Junction
This is where the Oak Flat Loop Trail splits for the first time, when the trail initially leaves the South Rim Visitor Center.
Again, go right at this final junction to return to the beginning.
Read My Separate Post: Oak Flat Loop Trail
Oak Flat Loop-Gunnison Point Junction
At the end, the Oak Flat Loop Trail finishes at the South Rim Visitor Center, completing the 1.9-mile (3.1 km) Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail.
Personally, I think the loop is a great adventure for first-time visitors—especially if you hike along the Rim Rock Trail to watch the sunrise, which is spectacular from one of any number of different unnamed viewpoints along the rim!
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!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
