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14 dependent on the volume of flow in the river. In 1977, when flows were low, a hiker could traverse the gorge upstream by foot with only minor fording all the way to Chukar Trail and even continue up to Red Rocks. Flows in most years would prevent such freedom of movement. Downstream, the hiker,could go from Duncan by foot approximately 2.5 mi to the Ute Trail. An additional 4.5 mi of hiking would be necessary to reach the west rim top of the Ute Trail. Here, a pickup could then travel west for about 2.8 mi before intersecting with the Peach Valley Road again. This trail is marked at the rim top but not where it intersects with the Peach Valley Road. In most years one can enter the gorge at Ute and exit at Duncan, or vice versa, but such a procedure requires vehicle coordination if one is to avoid back-tracking on the gorge rim. Lateral movement more than a few hundred yards downstream from the Ute trail is quite limited because the Gunnison River enters a narrow canyon with almost vertical walls and is very swift all the way to the Smith Fork. This section can be traversed by floating but does require some experience in handling the rapids. Although a private road exists along the Smith Fork and goes upstream for some distance on the east rim of the Gunnison Gorge, it is usually chained and seldom used. On five helicopter flights during 1977, nobody was seen in this section. Below the Smith Fork the gorge again widens, and flows are moderate. Access here is primarily by foot from a parking area located on the north bank where the main Gunnison is joined by the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Again, a vehicle must use an unmarked dirt road taking off to the south of Highway 92 east of Austin and west of Lazear, Colorado. This dirt road is a few hundred yds west of the Highway 92 railroad crossing. Fishermen at the North Fork parking area have a variety of