Colorado National Monument

Today we left Cedaredge and drove 350 miles north to Green River, Wyoming, crossing 2 passes of over 8000 feet. Before leaving Colorado, though, we toured Colorado National Monument, which was created in 1911 due to the efforts of 1 man -- John Otto.



The 32 square miles of the park preserve deep canyons which fall thousands of feet and high plateaus which tower 2000 feet above Grand Junction and Fruita, Colorado.



Above are formations called the Coke Ovens and below a free standing spire with views of Fruita in the distant background way below.



The 23 mile Rim Rock Drive, often carved out of the cliff side, offers constant views as seen in these photos. The road took 15 years to construct, mainly with hand tools during the Depression, and lost 9 workers their lives.



The semi-arid climate (annual precipitation of merely 11 inches) allows few plants to survive, mainly Utah juniper, Pinyon pine, Mormon tea, and Harriman yucca.


We visited this park mainly because it just happened to be on our route today, but were so impressed and enthralled with its scenery and vistas that we heartily recommend it to others as a destination park not to be missed.