Colorado became the 38th state to join the United States on August 1, 1876. The capital city is Denver. The highest point is Mt. Elbert at 14,433 feet.

Wedding & Monument CanyonsColorado National Monument Road Trip 2013 - Day 8 - June 18 - Colorado (Previous road trip 2013 posts: Indiana Dunes, De Immigrant, Amana Colonies, Des Moines, Madison County Roads, Bridges of Madison County, White Pole Road, Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, Golden Spike Tower & Union Pacific's Bailey Rail Yard, Loveland Pass, The Resting Day at Powderhorn, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Cimarron)

Each stop along the way on the 2013 road trip provided its own reasons for excitement. Road trips just provide such a cool variety. Just look through the list above: nature, architecture, history, movie sets, trains, outlaws, and so much more.

Our 8th day led us to Colorado National Monument. I was really anxious to see the place. While in Colorado, what we were to see was to look more like the canyons of Utah or Arizona. It rises about 2,000 feet above the valley of the Colorado River. It is a part of the greater Colorado Plateau, the same plateau that is a host to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Arches national parks. And since Utah was still ahead of us in days to come, this was going to be a nice preview of a similar environment.

DesolationColorado National Monument With each of the canyons of the American Southwest, an arrival is different. With the Grand Canyon, you very gradually drive up in elevation without ever noticing and then the canyon appears as a surprise and giant hole in the ground. With Bryce, it is similar. In ZIon, you enter the park in the valley and the peaks are around you. And here, in the Colorado National Monument, you start low and climb your way up the Uncompahgre Uplift while enjoying the scenery behind and below you as well as ahead of you. There is no dull moment driving on the Rim Rock Drive.

Soon after you finish your climb you reach the visitor center. Right from across the street, you can enjoy the beauty of the Wedding Canyon down below and see into the Monument Canyon leading far into the Monument. There are countless rock formations and as far as photography goes, it's easy to employ lenses from wide to telephoto.

Canyon Rim Trail and Window Rock Trail provide gorgeous views both along the upper edges and also down into the canyon. And yes, I always fall into the trap of looking for dead or at least dead looking vegetation, whether laying on the ground or reaching for the sky. And you know what, this park had plenty of those too. Just get on some of the trails and I am sure you will find some too.

Coke OvensColorado National Monument As you drive further into the park on Rim Rock Drive the roadside viewpoints and several trails offer views into different side canyons leading to the sides of the main Monument Canyon. You can also enjoy the views to the east and be fascinated by the abruptly different scenery. It's amazing how the Monument and the whole Uncompahgre Uplift raise completely out of nowhere!

Not completely tired after a day at the Colorado National Monument? Still some energy and curiosity left? Plan your visit for a Tuesday! That way, as you drive back down into the valley you can have your GPS navigate you back to Fruita and enjoy a rodeo! It's every Tuesday in June - August 4:30 - 9:30 PM, with the main event kicking off at 7:30 (please, search the web and confirm before you go). But that is a story for another day!

Have fun on your summer trips!

Sources:

Colorado on 50states.com, History and Culture of Colorado National Monument on nps.gov, Colorado National Monument Map on nps.gov, Colorado National Monument on Wikipedia, Coke Ovens Trail on Hikespeak.com, Cole Coke on Railcraft, Nature and Science of Colorado National Monument, William Howard Taft on Wikipedia, North American Deserts

Equipment Used:

Nikon D600, Nikon 24-85mm Nikkor Lens, Induro Carbon 8x Travel Tripod (CT-014) and Manfrotto Ball Head (496RC2), Think Tank Speed Demon Waist Pack,  Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp (always in the bag just in case), Jackery Bar 5600mAh (usually o hand to keep the smart phone going), SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Cards, Nikon Capture NX2.

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