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National Parks and Forests in Western Colorado (View Photos):
Below are descriptions of some of the parks and forests in Western Colorado. It is admittedly a tiny sampling of what this vast region has to offer but up to this point they are the only places in the state that I have managed to visit. More content will be added after further explorations of the area take place.
Mesa Verde National Park:
Unlike the other National Parks in the U.S., Mesa Verde has been set aside primarily for its archeological and cultural
significance. Indigenous people, often referred to as the Ancestral Puebloans, inhabited this area from about 600 to
1300 AD. They left behind a material legacy of artifacts and structures which helps to shed some light upon their
mysterious civilization. Since the Ancestral Puebloans of this area did not leave behind any written records of their
life or history, we have to rely primarily on the archeological sites of Mesa Verde to piece together some of their
story, although it will never be close to complete. These resourceful people, who subsisted on crops of beans, corn,
and squash, constructed numerous dwellings underneath overhanging cliffs. Building their living quarters in sheltered
alcoves helped protect them from nature's elements. The raw materials of these dwellings consisted of blocks of shaped
sandstone that were held together by a makeshift mortar comprised of dirt and water.
The park protects a remarkable number of these cliff dwellings, about 600 in all. Some are off limits to visitors, while
others can be explored either on self-guided tours or on tours that require tickets and same-day reservations. Museums
interpret the life and civilization of the Ancestral Puebloan peoples, as well as their buildings. Wayside exhibits and
archeological sites along the park roads provide further information about the pit houses, kivas (ceremonial centers),
and cliff dwellings built by this indigenous culture over a span of 700 years. Overlooks along the road offer nice
views of the cliff dwellings, including the elaborate Cliff Palace village. Day hiking trails allow people to explore
petroglyphs, archeological sites, and natural scenery in this remote section of the Colorado Plateau.
Colorado National Monument:
The massive geologic uplift that created the Rocky Mountains millions of years ago also lifted up the Uncompahgre
Plateau. A portion of this raised plateau has been set aside by the National Park Service as Colorado National
Monument. This arid, high-desert country is part of the vast Colorado Plateau and it shares in common a number of
characteristics with other famous parks in the region like Arches National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.
Some of these common features include sheer-walled canyons, steep cliffs and freestanding rock spires.
Wind, ice, and water have gradually eroded the red rock cliffs, resulting in arches, windows, domes, and spires. One
of the more striking rock formations is Independence Monument, a giant monolith that stands in bold relief against
the horizon. Large amounts of iron and other minerals have stained the rock in shades or red, orange, and purple.
A paved road climbs to the top of the plateau and straddles the edge of the cliffs. From a series of overlooks,
visitors can gaze upon the red rock canyons of the park as well as the more distant Colorado River Valley and the
colorful Book Cliffs.
Dinosaur National Monument (partially located in Utah):
Dinosaur National Monument contains invaluable deposits of fossils, many of which can be found in the Dinosaur Quarry.
The quarry has preserved fossils from all four major Late-Jurassic dinosaur groups. These dinosaur bones, along with
a wealth of fossils from other ancient life forms helps scientists to reconstruct what this ecosystem was like going
back 150 million years. Incredibly, there are 23 rock formations exposed in the monument, each one representing an
extinct ecosystem. The park's geology offers us clues about what the earth's biodiversity was like millions of years
ago. Paleontologists work continuously in the park to expose some of complex secrets of the earth's natural history.
Beyond the fossils and the quarry, Dinosaur National Monument features high plateau country composed of bent and broken
sedimentary rock layers. Here, the Colorado Plateau and the Rocky Mountains converge, resulting in a spectacular series
of maze-like canyons carved out by the Green and Yampa rivers. These rivers have created a rich riparian environment
that supports habitat for a diverse array of animals and plants. Archeological sites like petroglyphs provide a record
of human activity in the region going back many centuries. Paved roads make it easy to explore the many facets of this
park, ranging from quiet hiking trails and scenic overlooks to the intriguing fossil exhibits.
Uncompahgre National Forest:
The San Juan Mountains are a majestic mountain range in southwestern Colorado where jagged peaks and huge aspen
forests attract hikers year round. The mountains here are an absolute marvel to behold, a fact that becomes evident
as soon as they come into view over the horizon. Some of the best hiking can be found in the Uncompahgre National
Forest. Dirt roads lead to scenic valleys and wilderness trailheads. Photogenic aspen stands add a burst of color
in autumn and lure legions of nature photographers during the peak foliage period. Mount Sneffels is one of the
most distinctive peaks in the San Juans and there are a number of trails that traverse it. Along the way, expect
to see waterfalls, streams, evergreen forests, and a variety of alpine wildlife.
Recommended Day Hikes:
Blaine Basin - Uncompahgre National Forest
Round Trip Length: 6.0 miles
Trailhead location: Four miles west of Ridgway, CO, on the San Juan Skyway, there is a turnoff for County Road 7. Take
this rough dirt road (it only gets rough after 4 miles) right to the end (about 8 miles) where the trailhead is located.
This is also the trailhead for Blue Lakes
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Huge stands of aspen near the trailhead; dramatic views of the north face of Mt. Sneffels, Kismet and
Cirque Mountain; this trail requires you to cross Wilson Creek several times
Sound of Silence Trail/Desert Voices Nature Trail - Dinosaur National Monument
Round Trip Length: 5.0 miles
Trailhead location: Take Utah 149 into the West entrance of the Monument (where the Dinosaur Quarry is located). The
trailhead is 1.9 miles from the Entrance Station on the park road
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: Up-close views of the beautifully colored sandstone hogbacks of Split Mountain and Split Mountain Canyon
Harpers Corner - Dinosaur National Monument
Round Trip Length: 2.0 miles
Trailhead location: From the Visitor Center just east of the town of Dinosaur, take Harpers Corner Drive 32.5 miles
to the end of the road where the trailhead is located
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Tremendous bird's eye views of twisting canyons incised by the Green and Yampa rivers
Monument Canyon Trail - Colorado National Monument
Round Trip Length: 6.0 miles
Trailhead location: From the park's east entrance follow Rim Rock Road to the Monument Canyon Trail parking
area, just past Artists Point
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: This hike leads down into Monument Canyon providing exceptional views of red rock cliffs and freestanding
rock formations. The turnaround point for this hike is Independence Monument
Canyon Rim Trail - Colorado National Monument
Round Trip Length: 1.0 miles
Trailhead location: Visitor Center
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Sweeping views of canyons, rock fins and spires from along the edge of a cliff
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail - Mesa Verde National Park
Round Trip Length: 1.5 miles
Trailhead location: The east side of the Cliff Palace Loop drive
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: This trail provides the only viewpoint of Balcony House, a major 40-room dwelling constructed
by the Ancestral Puebloans
Recommended Points of Interest:
Harpers Corner (Dinosaur National Monument); The Dinosaur Quarry (Dinosaur National Monument); Spruce Tree House and
Cliff Palace (Mesa Verde National Park); San Juan Skyway; Kebler Pass (Gunnison National Forest);
Helpful travel tips and observations
From late September until the first few days of October, enormous stands of aspen put on a glorious fall
foliage display along the San Juan Skyway and Kebler Pass. Some of the best fall color viewing in the country
can be found here. In order to tour the famous Cliff Palace archeological site in Mesa Verde National Park, you must make
reservations at the Far View Visitor Center. The Wetherill Mesa Road in Mesa Verde is open only from late May to early
September
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More Photos: Page 1 > Page 2 > Page 3 > Page 4
Cottonwoods, Dinosaur National Monument, (October 2006)
Cottonwoods with fall colors, Dinosaur National Monument, (October 2006)
Harpers Corner, Dinosaur National Monument, (October 2006)
Harpers Corner, Dinosaur National Monument, (October 2006)
Sound of Silence Trail/Desert Voices Nature Trail, Dinosaur National Monument, (October 2006)
Sound of Silence Trail/Desert Voices Nature Trail, Dinosaur National Monument, (October 2006)
Mount Sneffels, Uncompahgre National Forest, (October 2006)
Mount Sneffels from Blaine Basin, Uncompahgre National Forest, (October 2006)
