Hiking Project Logo

Monument Canyon Trail

 4.4 (11)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Western Colorado
  4. …Grand Junction
  5. Colorado National Monument
Google Map

Length


5.8 Miles 9.4 Kilometers


1,535' 468 m

Ascent

-145' -44 m

Descent

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

6,122' 1,866 m

High

4,731' 1,442 m

Low

Shared By Tom Wolfe

Conditions

All Clear 42 days ago
Dry History
Getting forecast...

“An awesome trail into Monument Canyon with stunning views.”

— Tom Wolfe
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

Description

The trail starts at the fence for the east entrance to Monument Canyon. Begin to climb and follow the trail as it climbs steadily for around a mile with variations of rock, technical spots and packed trail.

There are several cliffs rising above the trail on your right as you ascend to the spire. There are trail markers when you get to the split between the trail and Wedding Canyon Trail. Continue on to the left and there are rollers for the next few miles as the trail will twist and turns working its way around smaller little canyons working its way up to Rimrock Dr. I recommend turning around unless you want more mileage or someone is picking you up at the top.

Flora & Fauna

Lizards are everywhere, could see a jackrabbit and bighorn sheep. Deer can sometimes be seen early in the morning or late evening.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Colorado National Monument

You & This Trail


Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Share This Trail

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Oct 27, 2018
Kelly Phillips
Jun 10, 2018
Graeme Dunn
May 7, 2018
Karl Schloer
5.8mi
May 6, 2018
Machelle Williams
Started at the top trailhead and hiked down. 5.8mi
Apr 14, 2018
Malia Ford
Sep 29, 2016
Jacqueline McDermott
Sep 3, 2016
Mindy MacInnes
We saw big horn sheep, lizards, and a jack rabbit!
Jul 30, 2016
Keri Schroeder
Not a loop. Beautiful views all along the way.
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 11 votes

#3

in Colorado National Monument

#4068

Overall
  4.4 from 11 votes
5 Star
55%
4 Star
27%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#3

in Colorado National Monu…

#305

in Colorado

#4,068

Overall
58 Views Last Month
1,517 Since Apr 22, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
13%
63%
25%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

The base of the cliffs on Monument Canyon Trail, the day before the snow
The base of the cliffs on Monument Canyon Trail…
 4
More beautiful formations with cloud and sun caught during the end of a storm
More beautiful formations with cloud and sun ca…
 4
Monumental in Grand Junction, this is what running on the Western Slope is all about
Monumental in Grand Junction, this is what runn…
 5
Kissing Couple as sen from the Monument Canyon Trail
Kissing Couple as sen from the Monument Canyon…
 3
The Monument Canyon Trail below the wall.
The Monument Canyon Trail below the wall.
 4
Other side of Kissing Couple monolith
Other side of Kissing Couple monolith
 4

0 Comments

Nearby Hikes

Panorama of Liberty Cap during a winter sunrise. with permission from Hobbes7714 Photo Credit: Andrew Wahr Link: https://twitter.com/WahrAndrew
3.3 mi 5.4 km
Lower Liberty Cap Trail
 11
Redlands, CO
Looking into a sandstone side canyon.
6.9 mi 11.1 km
The Cabin Loop
 11
Fruita, CO
Looking back down the spine of the initial climb. This is particularly dangerous when the trail is muddy.
3.6 mi 5.7 km
Mount Garfield Trail
 16
Palisade, CO
Hiking across slick rock. Just watch for cairns to find the next segment of trail.
7.8 mi 12.6 km
Jouflas Loop
 7
Loma, CO

Nearby Gems

gem

Otto's Bathtub

7
Redlands, CO
gem

Rattlesnake Arch

3
Loma, CO
gem

Liberty Cap

8
Redlands, CO
gem

Coke Ovens Overlook

3
Redlands, CO

Hiking Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Hiking