Independence monument, the city of grand junction, and the. How long to tour colorado national monument grand junction. Book cliff view is right next to the visitor center and the saddlehorn campground. This section of colorado and utah is filled with dramatic scenery and offers a treasure trove of natural wonders illustrated by this remarkable view of mount garfield. This is an area of desert land high on the colorado plateau, with pinyon and juniper forests on the plateau. Book cliffs view, independence monument view see below, coke ovens overlook, and cold shivers point see below are accessible overlooks along rim rock drive. Independence monument view overlook outthere colorado.
Colorado national monument articles colorado encyclopedia. Colorado national monument is a national park service unit near the city of grand junction. The colorado river flows through the valley between the book cliffs and the national monument. This lookout is one of the best in the national monument and the perfect spot to take in the surrounding area and all it has to offer. Colorado national monument locally referred to as the monument is a national park service unit near the city of grand junction, colorado. Lake pasture lake san cristobal limestone ridge lookout mountain lost park lower greasewood creek mcelmo mexican. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. Information about temporary or storm closures can be found by calling the park hotline at 970 8583617. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is colorado natl monum which is approximately 7 miles away and has an elevation of 5,780 feet 849 feet higher than east entrance colorado national monument. West entrance from grand junction colorado national monument. Balance rock in fruita canyon along rim rock drive in the colorado national monument. Best trails in colorado national monument colorado alltrails. Start your trip with a stop at the colorado national monument visitor center, located near the west entrance, for uptodate information.
After several lesser viewpoints, the rim rock drive passes through half. Book cliffs view grand view independence monument view monument canyon view coke ovens overlook artists point highland view fallen rock. The iconic overlook, perhaps the best in the monument, sits above abrupt cliffs. After work i grabbed my hiking gear and started heading out to rabbit valley so i could hike to another summit in mesa county, but as i was driving west on i70 i noticed the sky was much cloudier and darker out that direction and i was concerned about the. Grand junction stock photos and images 1,373 matches. We will be arriving in grand junction around noon on sunday.
This must be a quickstop, driving through from ohio to moab, and then down to sedona. Due largely to the tireless efforts of john otto, colorado national monument was designated as a national monument in 1911. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. My front yard view is the colorado national monument, what a beautiful sight. Washed out 09192002 the exposure was off, picture needs darkening. Rock wholly from other viewpoints like book cliffs view which ill go over later. Book cliffs viewpoint, colorado national monument amid the monument s countless orangeandbrown cliffs and rock formations, these cliffs attract the lions share of attention, calling to mind the image of a mighty giant who would deposit his treasured volumes on the worlds largest bookshelf. Colorado national monument is named after the river rather than the state, and covers a relatively small area of eroded red rock formations and canyons just south of the colorado near grand junction. Robbcolorado river and highline lake state parks, little book cliffs wild horse range.
Colorado national monument travel usa lonely planet. The colorado national monument is the crown jewel of the western slope, where the setting sun alights otherworldly redrock formations. Colorado national monument 09202002 view of monument from near the ranger station. You can experience sheerwalled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of rim rock drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.
Accessible restrooms are at saddlehorn visitor center and devil kitchen picnic area. Located in fruita, colorado, the colorado national monument was established by president taft in 1911 and has been a protected site ever since. Books cliff view overlook, colorado national monument. The monument is administered by the national park service so it has the feel of a national. Over millions of years tributaries of the colorado river carved through the edges of the high plateau bordering the river, creating a stunning area of colorful mazelike canyons, sculpted spires, pinnacles, and other jaw dropping sandstone creations.
Book cliffs viewpoint, colorado national monument amid the monuments countless orangeandbrown cliffs and rock formations, these cliffs attract the lions share of attention, calling to mind the image of a mighty giant who would deposit his treasured volumes on the worlds largest bookshelf. The book cliffs shelter viewed from the canyon rim trail. Book cliffs view, independence monument view, coke ovens overlook, and cold shivers point are accessible overlooks along rim rock drive. Book cliffs view grand view independence monument view monument canyon view coke ovens overlook artists point highland view fallen rock overlook upper ute canyon. The colorado national monument is located near the utah border next to the city of grand junction. Artists point overlook has two viewpointsone by the parking area and one at the end of a short trail. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with. Book cliffs and grand junction from colorado national monu. Highsmith with camera at colorado national monument, a preserve of vast plateaus, canyons, and towering monoliths in mesa county, colorado, near grand junction lccn2015633037. Hike its starkly beautiful landscape or watch from camp as lightning storms roll across the distant plains. Colorado national monument is one of those places that many of us drive by a hundred times its right between denver and moab, utah before finally entering the protected area and discovering the extent of this national treasurethat is so easily accessed from interstate70. The colorado national monument is just west of grand junction, colorado the monument is home to pinyon pine and juniper, ravens and jays, desert bighorns and coyotes. The book cliffs view shelter offers one of the most breathtaking views the colorado national monument has to offer. For more information about visiting the little book cliffs wild horse area, call the u.
Frame 1 in this series is a telephoto of the book cliff seen to the east across the top of the uncompahgre plateau from independence monument view. Vermilion cliffs national monument bureau of land management. From hiking to fossil finding and wildlife watching, all the states monuments offer unique experiences for visitors. The 23 mile rim rock road was build through the park in the 1930s. If i understand the maps correctly, thought wed just go up and back one way to the visitors center and not necessarily do the entire road. The heart of the world colorado national monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the american west. Event participants must park in the saddlehorn picnic parking lot.
The cliffs and canyons of the colorado national monument, beside grand. Head to this breathtaking viewpoint in the early hours of the day to watch the sunrise over the westfacing walls of the island and the valley floors of wedding and monument canyons. Sitting more than 2,000 feet above the colorado river, the plateau rose once, completely eroded, and rose again over the last 2 billion years. Take in stunning views at the colorado national monument. The drive gives sightseers a wonderful view of grand sandstone towers and cliffs, as well as inspiring views of the grand valley below. Explore colorado national monument holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Monument canyon is the reason for this areas preservation, running north to south through the park and housing sandstone formations that have inspired names like window rock, praying hands, and kissing couple.
Mountains, rivers, lakes, desert, vineyards, canyons there is no place else in colorado where you can experience the intersection of so many prized ecosystems. The overlook provides an awesome view of the 5,739foot independence monument right in front of you. Monument calendar colorado national monument association. A drive through colorado national monument youtube.
On may 24, 1911, president william howard taft established colorado national monument in mesa county, near grand junction. I would suggest driving from the fruita side if you have a fear of sheer drop offs since you will spend more of your time against the mountainside. Just eight miles northeast of grand junction, the little book cliffs wild horse area encompasses more than 36,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus. Book cliffs view 09192002 the compression algorithm blurred the details of this picture of the book cliffs and grand junction from the book cliffs view in colorado national monument. At the visitor center, videos are opencaptioned, and an induction loop is provided for users of hearing aids. The horseshoeshaped overlook offers great views of 5,739foot independence monument, a 450foothigh sandstone tower that sits on a divide between wedding and monument canyons. A day at the colorado national monument visit grand. From the book cliffs view area near the visitor center, a trail leads to window rock is less than 0.
Mesa verde far view lodge far view lodge is the only lodging inside mesa verde np. These colorado cliffs look like books on a shelf outthere colorado. Mar 23, 2018 colorado national monument was created in 1911 to protect one of the american southwests most iconic landscapes. Mar 07, 2018 youll find the best scenery in grand junction at colorado national monument, overlooking the valley and the western front of the colorado rockies. Today the monument, one of eight in colorado, encompasses more than 20,000 acres of sandstone cliffs and monoliths, scenic canyons, and sparse vegetation. Frame 2 is a wideangle of the cliffs standing on the horizon behind monument canyon at colorado national monument. Aug 25, 2016 guide to colorados national parks, monuments and historic sites. On the way up mount garfield, be on the lookout for wild horses. Robb colorado river state park, grand junction picture.
Aptly named for the stunning view of the book cliffs, this short walk takes you right to the edge of wedding canyon. The national park service celebrates its centennial this year. Another easy hike is the window rock trail in colorado national monument. This easy 12 mile hike begins at the visitor center and, like the name suggests, follows the rim of wedding canyon to the book cliffs viewpoint. Other accessible viewpoints on rim rock drive are cold shivers point, coke ovens overlook, independence monument view, and book cliffs view. East entrance colorado national monument topo map in mesa.
Monument canyon colorado national monument locally referred to as the monument is a national park service unit near the city of grand junction, colorado. The book cliffs are a small remnant of an ancient seabed, thrust upward with the uncompahgre uplift that also created colorado national monument. And obviously because it showcases the most iconic rock formation. Guide to colorados national parks, monuments and historic sites. If you look one way, you see the city of grand junction, the book cliffs and the grand mesa off in the distance. Book cliffs viewpoint, colorado national monument amid the monument s countless orangeandbrown cliffs and rock formations, these cliffs attract the lions share of attention, calling to mind the image of a mighty giant who would deposit. The book cliffs are a series of desert mountains and cliffs in western colorado and eastern utah, in the western united states. Wild horses captivate at little book cliffs visit grand. Spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone, and even granitegneissschist, rock formations. From grand junction to west entrence colorado national monument colorado national monument. Independence monument view looks into the heart of colorado national monument from rim rock drive, a scenic road that traverses a bench above canyons for 22 miles. Colorado national monument protects 32 square miles of wilderness near grand junction, colorado.
A top attraction near grand junction includes the wildly impressive colorado national monument, set amidst within the larger region of the wellknown colorado plateau in the southwest region of the u. Colorado national monument, a ruggedly beautiful desert landscape more reminiscent of utahs grandeur, provides a look into the lesser known redrock landscapes of coloradomiles of trails wind through the monument, but if you can only do one long trail, the 11. The hike is fairly level as it winds among pinion and juniper. The aptly named grand view overlook v9 showcases mounds of twisted red rock and elements from the original plateau still visible today. In the morning, we will be leaving cortez, co mesa verde national park immediately after breakfast and driving the san jaun skyway going north and heading the grand junction, co for the evening est. The shelter is often used for small wedding ceremonies and also for ranger programs. Canyon rim trail to window rock colorado alltrails. Rock climbing in colorado national monument, grand junction area.
Directions located on the colorado plateau in northern arizona, vermilion cliffs national monument includes the paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness. An insiders guide to colorado national monument visit. If you look one way, you see the city of grand junction, the book cliffs and the grand mesa. Monument canyon is by far the most popular of such routes. National conservation area exit 26 corkscrew trail corkscrew connector trail l i t t l e p a r k r o a d c s r o a d 0 0 0. Artists point trail visit grand junction, colorado. The book cliffs view offers an intimate setting to have a wedding ceremony. Colorado national monument is open year round, 24 hours a day closed december 25. The most popular times to visit the park are during the spring and fall, when temperatures are moderate. Colorado national monument is one of the great preserved landscapes of the american west, packed with red rock formations, deep canyons, panoramic views, and bighorn sheep.
Official colorado national monument map pdf my colorado. Bureau of land management at 9702443000 or visit the website. Colorado national monument, grand junction, colorado. The hike sits on the 36,1acre little book cliffs wild horse range that provides free roaming and protection over herds of wild horses. To some, this may be considered the best viewpoint of the colorado national monument since its in the heart of monument valley. Inset 2grid kari ganoungruiz island in the sun oil. Colorado national monument association home facebook. Sheerwalled canyons cut deep into sandstone and granitegneissschist rock formations. The red cliffs are lit up with sunlight for a few minutes in the morning as the sun rises over the grand mesa. The book cliffs view shelter offers a panoramic view of wedding and monument canyons, as well as views of fruita and grand junction, the book cliffs, and the grand mesa. Book cliffs and grand junction from colorado national monument a view of grand junction, colorado from the national monument. Colorado national monument balanced rock pipe organ independence monument coke ovens white rocks squaw fingers ottos bathtub liberty cap mushroom rock window rock sentinel spire saddlehorn. Independence monument, the city of grand junction, and the book cliffs from the colorado national monument.
This area has been protected as a national monument since 1911 and is located near the colorado town of fruita. Frame 4 shows the cliffs in the distance north of the east entrance to colorado national monument. The monument borders kaibab national forest to the west and glen canyon national recreation area to the east. The colorado national monument is located at the northern edge of the uncompahgre plateau. This is an area of desert land high on the colorado plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau. Cliffs of colorado national monument from robb state park fruita check out tripadvisor members 1,990 candid photos and videos of james m. Groups for inspiration and financial assistance options for photographers. The fenced overlook is reached by a 90foot hike on a gravel path from a small parking area on rim. Feature image for map of colorado national monument. The colorado river used to be called the grand river, hence the name of the town. Part of the colorado national monument with the book cliffs in similar images. Grand junction, colorado and mount garfield as seen from the colorado national monument on a sunny november day. The popular viewpoint, on the north side of the twisting road, has parking for cars.
Step 12 from arches national park to colorado national monument. The best place to stop first at the park is the saddlehorn visitor center, where you can get all the information you need for your visit. Cold monument sunrise by intrepidxj, on flickr sunrise from the base of the colorado national monument. Hotels near the little book cliffs wild horse area. This trail overlooks the north side of the monument canyon, providing excellent views. The monument is a fine area of desert climbing in colorado. Colorado national monument sheerwalled canyons, monoliths, colorful formations, bighorn sheep, soaring eagles and a spectacular road. Grand junction, a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, is home to diverse landscapes like colorado national monument, grand mesa, book cliffs and the colorado river.
Each of 19 signed viewpoints and 14 trailheads are noted on the map. Now for a closer look taken along i70 just east of grand junction. Cliffs of colorado national monument from robb state park. Apr 29, 2017 colorado national monument is a very convenient stop just off i70 just e of the utah colorado state line. This large city, near the utah border, is surrounded in most directions by impressive multicolored rocks. Youll find the best scenery in grand junction at colorado national monument, overlooking the valley and the western front of the colorado rockies. February rachel pettit early snow on the monument oil. The viewing platform is right in front of a small pulloff parking area for the book cliffs view.
Colorado national monument association, fruita, colorado. Red canyon overlook alongside a parking area is an accessible overlook for wheelchairs. See more ideas about colorado, grand junction colorado and colorado national monument. This inspirational overlook offers wideranging views into monument canyon below, of the coke ovens and squaw fingers, and of the distant book and roan cliffs, and grand mesa, the largest flattopped mountain in the world. Colorado national monument colorado scenic drives on. These red rock sandstone pinnacles capped with kayenta sandstone were formed after ice and water eroded and separated them from the cliffs, forming the. Have to pick up a rental, then had planned to drive to some view points along the colorado national monument. Artists point trail is located in the colorado national monument. Magnificent views from highland trails and rim rock drive include colorful sheerwalled canyons and fascinating rock sculptures, the distant colorado river valley, book cliffs. For more information about colorado s wild horses, go to. Nearby are the book cliffs and the largest flattopped mountain in the world, the grand mesa.
Colorado national monument has a few short paths along the plateau rim and one backcountry route black ridge trail higher in the hills to the west, but the best trails descend into the sheerwalled canyons for which the area is famous. They are so named because the cliffs of cretaceous sandstone that cap many of the southfacing buttes appear similar to a shelf of books. Colorado s eight national monuments include browns canyon, colorado national monument, chimney rock, canyons of the ancients, dinosaur, florissant fossil beds, hovenweep and yucca house. This is a great place to hike, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the horses are readily seen. The track crosses the canyon rim between saddlehorn visitor center and book cliff view, and is a great way to begin your visit of colorado national monument. See these 8 amazing spots at colorado national monument. Located just west of grand junction, the 32squaremile monument features slender spires, towering rock monuments, and sheerwalled canyonsall slickrock scenery most commonly associated with moab and other southern utah. An insiders guide to colorado national monument visit grand.
Fruita canyon overlook is a lofty roadside viewpoint at the head of fourmilelong fruita canyon on the west side of colorado national monument. Monument canyon trail and coke ovens overlook trail. When entering colorado national monuments western side, one of the first hikes you drive to is the canyon rim trail. Because of the location, we would like to drive through the colorado national monument, but i am not sure we would have time to see the monument. The best overlook within the colorado national monument lies just ahead. Frame 3 shows the cliffs at far left over the base of the great monocline at colorado national monument. For a view of praying hands, independence monument, and the other statuesque monoliths in monument canyon, take a stroll along canyon rim trail. Colorado national monument the good, the bad and the rv. Colorado national monument and some thoughts on habitat. Book cliffs view grand junction, colorado landmark. Monument canyon trail and coke ovens overlook trail colorado national monument, colorado. View grand junctions wild horses visit grand junction.
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