Join park ranger Matt Johnson to explore the history of national parks as revealed through animal stories, & discuss volunteer opportunities on Wednesday, June 21st at 5 pm in the Montrose Library's Meeting Room. This program is for teens & adults (16+). No registration required!

"Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water. Limitless and immortal, the waters are the beginning and end of all things on earth." -Christopher Morley- Photo description: View of the Iola Basin. NPS photo by Troy Hunt

Kingcup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) flowers are blooming along the rocky edges of the Black Canyon above Pioneer Point. These showy red flowers stand out in stark contrast to the grey of the surrounding rock. NPS photo by Troy Hunt

Windy afternoons on Blue Mesa reservoir make for excellent wingsurfing conditions. Conditions are generally right for this exciting activity near the Bay of Chickens. Video description: a windsurfer glides along on choppy water. NPS video by Troy Hunt

As Blue Mesa Reservoir rises, the Gunnison River canyon becomes ever more lake-like creating calm waters for fly fishing. Description of video: fly fisherman fishing on the banks of the Gunnison River NPS video by Troy Hunt

The Bureau of Reclamation has ramped up the flow of water down the Gunnison River. Crystal Dam, at the bottom of East Portal Road is currently flowing over the spillway. Video description: water cascades down the Crystal Dam spillway. NPS video by Troy Hunt

Increasing water flow through the Blue Mesa Dam is handled either through increasing the amount of power generated or by opening gates that allow a heavier flow. Look for heavier water flow through the dams where you can see them during this week. NPS video by Troy Hunt

Afternoon winds are a common occurrence at Curecanti NRA. On this Independence Day, our flag is unfurled, flying in the breeze. We at Curecanti wish you all a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. Video description: US flag fluttering in the wind.

Kayaking Crystal reservoir comes at a price: carrying your kayak back to the parking lot. Video 1 description: a kayaker navigates Crystal Reservoir Video 2 description: a kayaker carries his craft up the trail NPS videos by Troy Hunt

One of the wonderful things about Curecanti is that the beauty of the scenery changes throughout the day and night, with each passing season, person, and animal, from every angle you look at it, and more. “The land retains an identity of its own.” – Barry Lopez, Arctic Dreams

Water-based adventures are what Curecanti's about. Most of this happens on Blue Mesa, but some adventures are found on the rivers. These folks navigated the Lake Fork Arm of the Gunnison River. Video description: three inflatable craft travel downstream. NPS video by Troy Hunt

CAUTION STRAINERS: With The heavy water flow on the Gunnison River, two trees have fallen in the North channel of the Gunnison River along the Neversink trail. Kayakers and other watercraft should be aware and take precautions to not get caught by these water hazards.

Pollinators are a vital force in nature. When butterflies like this Tiger Swallowtail stop for a snack of sweet nectar on a penstemon, they transfer pollen between plants, ensuring that seeds develop for next year's pollinators to do it again. NPS video by Troy Hunt

A juvenile yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) watches the world go by. Also called rock chucks, these large ground squirrels are abundant throughout the Rocky Mountains, above 6,500 feet. They spend their summers eating prodigiously: they hibernate up to 8 months.

Paddleboards are a great way to recreate and explore at Curecanti. Please remember to carry the appropriate equipment. Colorado law requires all to carry a PFD on their boards, and anyone under 13 must wear them at all times. Please be safe out there.

This lightning caused fire can be seen from across the region. Starting at around 8 am on 7/26/23, this 20 acre fire is along the Ohio Pass road. Fire crews are on the scene. Smoke will be visible for the next several days. Video description: smoke rises from across a ridge

Literally as busy as bees. This nectar rich thistle drew many bees to feed on its bounty. Pollinators work all summer long collecting food and helping plants reproduce. Video description: three bees collect nectar and pollen from a thistle.

The bounty of the season is ripening in the Colorado sunshine. Edible berries of all kinds are found throughout Curecanti. Knowing your berries and individual park regulations can lead to a tasty snack along a hiking trail. Where there are berrie, there may be bears!

Blue Mesa Boat Ramp Hours Update Blue Mesa boat ramps are open 5:30 am to 9 pm daily through Labor Day (September 4, 2023). Beginning September 5, 2023, the boat ramps are open 6:30 am to 7 pm. Hours are for boat ramps at Elk Creek, Lake Fork & Iola. NPS image by Matt Johnson

“What act of imagination will it finally require, for us to be able to speak meaningfully with one another about our shared biological fate?” – Barry Lopez, Horizon nps.gov/cure/learn/cli… NPS image by Matt Johnson #gunnison #montrose @NationalParkService #ClimateChange