Colorado National Monument

We're working our way down toward Albuquerque and the October Balloon Fiesta, and we're taking the opportunity to check out parts of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau that we haven't seen yet.  On Friday, September 16, 2016, we arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado, which puts us in position to see some attractions in western Colorado and eastern Utah.

On Saturday, September 17, we drove over to Colorado National Monument, which lies just a few miles west of our campground.  Here, we had to take the obligatory selfie with one of the rock formations guarding the entrance to the monument:

We drove up to the Visitor Center and pumped the park ranger for information about hikes.  Leaving the Visitor Center, we got this great view down through one of the canyons of the monument toward Fruita and Grand Junction:

We took a hike out onto a promontory, on what is called Otto's Trail.  While it is a short hike, it was a good introduction to what the Monument is all about.  The following quotation from the National Park Service website for Colorado National Monument explains why this trail is named after John Otto:

"When John Otto first saw the rugged redrock canyons south of Grand Junction in 1906, it was love at first sight. The following year he wrote, "I came here last year and found these canyons, and they feel like the heart of the world to me. I'm going to stay and build trails and promote this place, because it should be a national park."  Otto spearheaded fundraising campaigns, collected signatures for petitions, and penned newspaper editorials and endless letters to Washington politicians in support of national recognition for the ancient canyons and towering monoliths of his adopted home.  Otto lived alone in the canyons and used a pick and shovel to carve out the trails. Always the patriot, he named the rock formations he encountered after great heroes and historic events. Some of the formations, such as Independence Monument and Liberty Cap, still bear the names he gave them. Gradually, through his single-minded pursuit and his Herculean physical efforts, the scenic treasures hidden in the canyons were made accessible to the public.  Otto sought neither personal recognition nor wealth. He was seen as an eccentric and a recluse. But we he would happily abandon his solitude for an opportunity to publicize his beloved canyons. He spoke to reporters and photographers and public representatives, and conducted tours of the area. Some came out of curiosity but were converted into avid supporters. His enthusiasm was contagious. Many joined him in his efforts and deluged Washington politicians with letters of support. Finally on May 24, 1911, President Taft signed the proclamation that established Colorado National Monument."

Here is a view of Independence Monument, which John Otto climbed, and in front of which he was married:

The rock formations in the Monument are breathtaking.  Here is a view of one --

-- and of the canyon cliffs behind it:

Kathy was intrigued by this depression that was undoubtedly carved in the sandstone in ancient times when small rocks tumbled over it down a rushing mountain stream:

After our short hike, we drove the length of Rimrock Drive, Colorado National Monument's signature experience, catching glimpses of Grand Junction in the distance below:

This rock formation looks suspiciously like the Sphinx, although we are betting it wasn't carved by the Egyptians:

At the Visitor Center, we got information on hikes for later in out stay, and as we continued our motoring on Rimrock Drive, we scouted out the trailheads for possible hikes when we return in the future.

This stay is frustratingly short, and is only giving us a chance to introduce ourselves to some of these natural playgrounds, but we hope dearly to return in a year or so to get out more deeply into these natural wonders.  In the meantime, we hope to do a hike up one of the main canyons to Independence Monument this coming Monday.