Close Call in Gunnison Red Rock Canyon, Colorado

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The Red Rock Canyon of the Gunnison River offers great fishing for large trout. You need a wilderness permit to access it and these are difficult to obtain. It is a dangerous hike of 3.5 miles and 1,300' elevation drop to get there. Don't believe the Nation Park Service: There is always a trail and you must find and follow it or you will get stuck or worse. GPS also works and I advise turning it on during the hike in so you can leave a trail marker that may be helpful on your way back out. For addition information see: www.nps.gov/bl...

[@GettingToHeaven]

You made yourself some priceless memories for a lifetime. Thanks for sharing them with us!

[@wylde-lyfe]

Been down that trail 1/2 dozen times, not that bad compared to other "trails" in the park proper upstream. I noticed you went hiking in waders without any gear to stay a night. Probably no water filter or enough food to stay a day. The place is rugged and not a simple day trip. Glad nothing worse happened.

[@bmares41]

Enjoyed your video, you brought me many smiles and laughter. Nice job.

[@rmewhirter]

Ya found your way to the river…caught a nice brown…and were able to pick your way out…what a memory; thanks for allowing us to live it with you.

[@thecarpenter1469]

Beautiful fish !! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@darwinsmonkey5440]

Where do I begin? Did you have a weather forecast for the day? Did you have GPS? Did you have a compass and map? Did you tell anyone your route? Did you bring 1st aid? You Sir are a danger to yourself! GOD saved you, it is the only way you survived. Glad you made it home. From Myrtle Creek Oregon.

[@matthewh117]

Word!

[@Robert-vl3ur]

god had nothing to do with it. He's a figment of your overactcive imagination. LOL

[@MHogarth-v5m]

Thanks for the memories friend. 1st time in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison was 7/04/1976. The hike in and out was just as hard, but we caught 16" and up rainbows all day long. The biggest trout of the day was a 26" brown, but lost a few that ran out the flyline into the backer before they broke off. You were under prepared to go in though and am glad you are safe.

[@knittinghatsful]

Your young! By the wining I thought you’d be much older!

[@mrpenny007]

That was a adventure to remember! Thanks for recording it.

[@mdhmsmith]

Based on the map you showed, your route finding consisted of finding the right drainage and following it down to the river. The more you go out and do this stuff the better you will get. You know what to expect now. I’d love to hike and fish that area.

[@marciakipp3633]

Enjoyed this more than I can say! Real and exciting! 😮😊❤

[@kimjones6157]

Sounds to me like you do not know what you are doing.

[@garyrafferty7625]

@@kimjones6157 but trial and error is a valid way to learn!

[@mpachis]

In this case error can mean death.

[@bolling9193]

Got that right...

[@elgreco8573]

Dude what navigating app are you using or what maps? You're kind of lucky. Hopefully you let people know where you're going and maybe next time go with someone who knows how to navigate. That's not a freaking trail you are on.

[@matthewh117]

Absolutely correct!!

[@drop830]

I was going to say, that's exactly how people get lost, when they refuse to admit that they don't know where they are, and follow tiny trails that animals could have very easily made

[@garyrafferty7625]

So glad you survived the trek without broken bones ... so sad you did not see more big fish down there.

[@bolling9193]

I bet this guy gets lost going out his front door . "Help me...Help me" are you kidding ??

[@michaelchandler8022]

Yep. I know the feeling. I had a similar close call in the Cloud Peak Wilderness in Wyoming. I hiked from West Tensleep Lake to Misty Moon Lake and back. I didn't get lost but I was limping so badly the wilderness almost won.

[@garyrafferty7625]

West and East Tensleep Creeks (above and below their confluence) is where I caught more trout in one day than any other place in Wyoming. Few fish were over 12 inches ... but it was "giddy little boy" fun.

[@michaelhrivnak1719]

Oh no, Mr. Bill!

[@matthewh117]

Right? Who is he calling help to?

[@RAMelloh-ij5sl]

Sometimes, game trails look like human trails. Been to the rim trails on the Black Canyon of the Gunnisson. Breathtaking.

[@williamjenkins9]

Exactly…. Keep the tip up, constant pressure!!!! Throw UP stream, let it come back!!! They are in holes, always into the current !

[@stevetammylaack6629]

That's a bit more adventure than what I'm willing to sign up for, but beautiful country scenery!

[@ianbyron7464]

Glad you made it!!

[@matthewh117]

Did you get a free bowl of soup when you bought that hat?

[@ahrzhule]

Alternative title: Mr Bill goes Fishing. 😁

[@RonCobb-co6dr]

Jumped up jersey Johnson, did you have to use barbless hooks ?

[@kimovercash2887]

Suggest: gps, map, sleeping bag , food, plenty of water, work on fly fishing techniques. Way to hang in there.

[@emanruoy]

This is a good example of why a GPS and a few necessities are worth their weight in gold in some situations.

[@nancyhainline2517]

By yourself....?

[@mercuryshadow09]

I live in Montrose county and know a good fishing guide, look up Jake Kepler next time you're in the area.

[@feraltweed]

The best trout always comes on the last cast

[@cliff7516]

I hiked down the Bob Cat Trail over by Delta.

[@freespeech3]

Always let someone know where your going, carry matches for a small fire if needed and Snacks

[@Robert-vl3ur]

You were in Black Canyon, not Red Rock canyon. Very rough country and that water flows rapidly through that canyon. Not a great idea to hike it in and out on your own. Much safer hiking in and out with someone. From May through late June into early July the river rapids in much of that canyon are category 4, and can kill even an advanced expert level kayaker. Wading in that water alone is just not a smart idea, even if you think you are in a slower safe section. The water is surprisingly fast and can easily sweep a person off their feet that is not familiar with it. You really need to pack in enough gear to be able to stay overnight if things go wrong. GPS, topo maps, compass and basic things like matches, a mini flash light, a lightweight sleeping bag, etc... are a must especially if you are hiking in alone. A 3+ mile hike in that country is no small feat and all it takes is one bad misstep or fall and now you lack the ability to hike back out in a day. On a hike like that you should absolutely have a route mapped out in advance that you stick to and should give that route to someone else along with telling them when to expect you back. Just randomly wandering along hoping you find the river is asking for trouble. It's easy in those canyons without a compass, maps or GPS to get disoriented and turned around and end up hiking in circles of near circles, especially on an overcast day where you may not be able to use the sun as a directional guide. You should also have things like a water filter, a canteen and enough food for a meal or two. IMO you got very lucky on several fronts.

[@billt6116]

Try Clark's fork between superior and Missoula.. If you want big fish, That's where they are!.. And it's not nearly as dangerous to access!

[@Snaproll47518]

Bring a topo map, compass, GPS and a reliable friend next time.

[@wesleystout2200]

I could find no red rock canyon in montrose county, co. All searches of Gunnison river showed only Black Canyon in Montrose County.

[@CoppersmithStudios1]

There was a typo in the link in the description which I have since corrected. Try: www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/redrockinfo.htm

[@Mitch-bf2dm]

Maybe uou should have tried Chipeta lake

[@jeffwolfe191]

Got your drag too tight your horsing them

[@jonathanstoffregen390]

Very rugged. Quite an adventure.

[@darrelmurphy3360]

The direction is down.........and then back up.

[@wayneaune8430]

I have not watched all the way through. I have a map app., but in bushwacking I am not sure how helpful it would be. I never to critizize and I have made thousands of mistakes. At some time it may be best to just return to car. I would have carried a backpack. You never know when you may have to stay overnight. Thanks

[@brianellison7603]

This was hard to watch

[@petersherlock1048]

Ha ha..no use being silly unless you show it

[@kennyparis8742]

You bad wanted to do some fishing. I hope never accidentally eat some brown trout. That $hit must good to go through all that for the CHANCE to catch one. Ill bet i know who you're voting for.

[@MrMarkAMartin]

Wow! You nearly died

[@ThomasSchwartz-km2nf]

It fricken sucks yal need apermit thats hard to get ,this a prime exzample how stupid the park and national forest service seperate the citisens from our parks it is like some anti camping laws you can become afelon just for camping out. Growing up alot of the place we camped as a family are now off limits.no campin no parkin no dogs no gatherin sticks for camp fire no nothing alowed they have gone wway to far i heard every one single reason why its all BS.

[@waynediehl7621]

Yeah you might wanna just stick to the pavement trails next time. No biggie though. That's what search and rescue is for right? 😂😂😂😂

[@chucklutter7399]

If we went together you'd be fishing alone, I'd a not finished the hike in. TIGHT LINES

[@52daytripper]

does anyone remember the Boy Scout motto?? "be Prepared"