Hiking Project Logo

gem icon Liberty Cap [Suggest Edits]

9 votes
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Description

To access this geologic gem, head out from the Wildwood Trailhead on the Liberty Cap featured hike. The route crosses arid grassland before switchbacking steeply up the Precambrian granite mesa on the Lower Liberty Cap Trail. This climb is strenuous and allows visitors to earn the terrific views at the turnaround point.

The trail ends at this neat, geologic rock structure at the tip of the north wall of Ute Canyon, featuring stunning 360° views of the national monument. There are a number of exciting and odd-looking rock structures along the way to keep your attention.

At the end of the trail, look for the sign for Liberty Cap that explains that this domed, cap structure is formed from a 160-million-year-old sand dune that was compressed into rock and has eroded over time.

For a longer but less strenuous route, use the Upper Liberty Cap Trail and trailhead which provides a five-mile leg that can either be returned on or connected with the Lower Liberty Cap Trail for a descent to the Wildwood Trailhead. Whichever route you decide to take, this formation and the views you can find here are well worth the effort for those looking for a quintessential Colorado National Monument experience.

Short Hike: Using the Wildwood Trailhead and the Liberty Cap hike, this route comes in just shy of 3.5 miles, but with over 1,100 ft of elevation gain. From the Upper Liberty Cap Trailhead, an out-and-back route would be around 10.2 miles with only 877 ft of elevation gain total.

Gem Type: Rock Formation

Shared by:
Zander Göpfert

0 Comments

You & This Gem

Your Rating:      Clear Rating
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 1, 2020
Darren Eugene
Nov 12, 2018
Jerold S
Cold sunny November day
Jul 12, 2018
Jen Kearns
Jun 20, 2018
Samantha Gotcher
Super sweet trail all the way up. There is a giant boulder at the top that you can scale. It has foot/hand holes carved out with rebar too. Loved it.
Jun 8, 2018
Jenna Lucas
Mar 28, 2012
Robert Beasley

Nearby Gems

gem Favorite Without spoiling the surprise of the Bathtub, here is the view into Monument Canyon from the location.  Just make your way, carefully to the edge to see a piece of history.

Otto's Bathtub

(9) Redlands, CO
gem Favorite Rattlesnake Arch #Nomad_Dave for size reference. Nature is beautiful and part of who we are but also unforgiving and deadly, so take care of yourself out there.

Rattlesnake Arch

(6) Loma, CO
gem Favorite Window Rock.

Book Cliffs View

(5) Fruita, CO
gem Favorite Coke Ovens Trail.

Coke Ovens Overlook

(7) Redlands, CO

Nearby Trails

16.4 mi 26.4 km Rattlesnake Arches and Pollock Bench
Difficult
Fruita, CO
Difficult
Fruita, CO
All Clear
Update
17 days ago
27 
7.2 mi 11.5 km Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Unknown
Update
30 
6.9 mi 11.1 km The Cabin Loop
Intermediate/Difficult
Fruita, CO
Intermediate/Difficult
Fruita, CO
All Clear
Update
10 days ago
18 
3.3 mi 5.4 km Lower Liberty Cap Trail
Difficult
Redlands, CO
Difficult
Redlands, CO
Unknown
Update
16 
1.1 mi 1.8 km Devils Kitchen
Intermediate
Redlands, CO
Intermediate
Redlands, CO
Unknown
Update
17 
5.8 mi 9.4 km Monument Canyon Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Fruita, CO
Intermediate/Difficult
Fruita, CO
Unknown
Update
17 
4.5 mi 7.3 km Rough Canyon Loop
Difficult
Redlands, CO
Difficult
Redlands, CO
All Clear
Update
Mostly Dry
9 days ago
10 
2.6 mi 4.2 km Mica Mine up Ladder Canyon
Intermediate
Redlands, CO
Intermediate
Redlands, CO
All Clear
Update
Nice stream running through the creek bed
12 days ago
15 
3.0 mi 4.8 km The Ribbon
Very Difficult
Orchard Mesa, CO
Very Difficult
Orchard Mesa, CO
All Clear
Update
29 days ago
1.7 mi 2.7 km Window Rock Lollipop Loop
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Unknown
Update
Shared by Zander Göpfert on Jul 19, 2016. All Page Views: 1,598. Last Month: 5.