Black Canyon of the Gunnison

We went through this National Park on our way to Crested Butte. Like most of the west, you go from green trees into very dry areas. Most of the black canyon is very dry and you are looking at a very deep dark rock canyon way down to the Gunnison River. As I understand it there is a rougher north road along the canyon that is less popularly travelled. When we have been to this park, we usually only spend a few hours.