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Hi. This is Evan from Within Hiking Distance
and I'm going to talk about our
Top 5 hikes in Colorado National Monument.
Plus I'll mention a few other roadside
attractions if you're driving through.
Colorado National Monument is located in
Western Colorado not too far from the Utah border.
Fruita and Grand Junction are
two cities located close to the National Monument.
Colorado National Monument covers 32 square miles and has some
amazing views, family-friendly hikes,
and opportunity to spot some wildlife.
Kicking off our Top 5 hikes starting with #5...
Otto's Trail
Otto's trails located off a rim rock drive and
is one mile round trip with the
elevation gain of 263 feet.
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The trail descends gradually to a cliff
overlooking Monument Canyon.
There are great views of Independence Monument
which is the largest freestanding rock
formation in the canyon.
We really enjoyed the views at the end of this trail.
Coming in at #4 is the Coke Ovens Trail.
This is an easy one mile trail round trip, that descends 160 feet
to an overlook.
From the Overlook, there is an overhead view of some rock formations
which were made through weathering and erosion.
The trail gets its name because the rock formations
resemble coke ovens, which were used to convert coal into coke,
which was industrial fuel from the early 20th century.
Once again, the views at the end of this trail were amazing.
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Coming in at #3, the Serpents Trail.
This trail is located near Grand Junction and is just inside the East entrance
entrance of Colorado National Monument.
It is 3.5 miles round trip and has 770 feet of elevation gain.
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This trail has about 20 switchbacks and used to be an old road.
It used to be called the crookedest road in the world.
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In 1961, the Serpent's Trail was converted from a road to a hiking trail which has
now become a local favorite.
We hiked 1.9 miles up to the top of the trail.
It intersects with the road.
Now we're hiking back down.
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#2 the Canyon Rim Trail to Window Rock
This trail is 1.75 miles roundtrip
and does not have much elevation gain.
It's an easy trail with some great views of Colorado National Monument.
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You'll start at the visitor's center and walk along the canyon rim.
It's a great introduction to the monument.
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There are great views of Window Rock in the valley below
at the end of the trail.
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There's also a parking lot next to Window Rock which is only a quarter-mile away
if you choose not to start from the visitor's center.
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And at #1, The Lower Monument Canyon Loop via the Wedding Canyon Trail.
This trail is 4.8 miles round trip with 800 feet of elevation gain.
We hiked this trail in a counterclockwise direction.
We took the Wedding Canyon Trail on the way in.
And a Monument Canyon Trail on the way back.
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The elevation gained steadily as you hike into the canyon
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The freestanding rock formations grow larger as you approach them.
Independence Monument stands 450 feet above the canyon floor.
From Independence Monument you'll see the intersection for the Monument Canyon Trail.
Take that back to the parking lot where you started.
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Be sure to check out some of the roadside attractions and overlooks as
you drive through Colorado National Monument.
Balanced rock has made of sandstone and located in the West Entrance of Colorado National Monument.
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Many of the other overlooks are just off to the side of the road,
so get out and enjoy the great views.
Thanks for watching and be sure to hit that like button and subscribe
to catch more of our family adventures.
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