Grand Junction- Colorado National Monument

July28th and 29th

After retracing our steps on Rt. 70 through the western Utah desert, we arrived in Grand Junction.  Grand Junction's name originates from the fact that the Colorado River and the Gunnison River join in that area.  It is a fairly large town, about 80,000 residents, and has managed to keep the central portion of the city vibrant.  In addition, it is a college town, which always seems to bring a certain energy to a city.  Grand Junction is defined not only by the rivers, but by its mountains.  To the east is the Grand Mesa, which is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world.  The front windows of my sister's house face the Bookcliffs, which are a range of mountains that supposedly look like books on a shelf.  To the west is the Colorado National Monument, an area of deep canyons, red rocks, and high plateaus.

We spent Saturday evening catching up with my sister Linda, her husband Larry, and her son Jon. On Sunday, we decided to head out early- it had been hot and unusually humid for this high desert area- to re-explore Colorado National Monument.  The Monument was dedicated by President Taft 101 years ago, in 1911.  The Rim Rock Road, the major means of accessing the park, was built in the 1930's.  The 20 mile road traverses a plateau which rises 2000 feet over the fertile valley below- the Grand Valley of the Colorado River.  It is part of the same Colorado Plateau that we know incorporates many other national parks, including Arches and Grand Canyon.  In actuality, this 32 square mile park is being promoted by many for inclusion as a national park.  A man by the name of John Otto first recognized this area as needing protection.  In 1907, he began encouraging it to be protected as a national park.  It was made a monument, but perhaps the time has come to increase the protection of this dramatic landscape.

We drove the 20 mile road, stopping at many of the overlooks to view the deep canyons leading to views of the valley, the Grand Mesa, and the Bookcliffs.  One of the overlooks features rock monoliths called the Coke Ovens, as they resemble the ovens used to make coke from coal.  They are formed by the sculpting forces of wind, water and ice.  Another viewpoint is of Independence Monument.  This rock structure was once part of the canyon wall.  It separated, and has been eroded to how it now appears.  This structure will look familiar to many of you, as it has been used in multiple advertising campaigns, usually with a car on some variety on the top.  As we were driving, we kept watch for Golden Eagles, which are common up here.  I have viewed many on previous trips, but unfortunately, none today.

Balanced Rock

Independence Monument

Red Canyon Overlook

The Coke Ovens

We stopped at the Visitor Center and were pleased to see that it has been recently updated.  The displays have been refurbished, and it looks more than ready to take its place as a national park.  We returned to Grand Junction, with plans to drive Larry's new truck south to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on Monday.