IntrepidXJ
ADVENTR
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
- Messages
- 3,485
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1486%2F24428742721_5d53dc5121_z.jpg&hash=b956bf5d1045159f6f4b6911250258f4)
A beautiful sunrise from the Grand View overlook in the Colorado National Monument.
Visiting the Colorado National Monument in the winter with a fresh coat of snow and canyons filled with fog is a magical experience that doesn’t happen too often. But that’s exactly what I woke up to this morning! I took a detour on my way to work so I could spend a little time photographing the sunrise in these conditions and I’m glad that I did since it turned out to be one of the more spectacular sunrises I’ve witnessed in the Monument. Enjoy the photos!
The drive to the Monument was a little slower than usual since visibility in the Grand Valley was pretty low and I got stuck behind plenty of slow drivers on their way to work. Once I reached the west entrance I quickly drove up the switchbacks of Rim Rock Drive until I was out of the clouds and had a much clearer view of the valley. Mount Garfield and the Grand Mesa are visible in the distance over the low layer of clouds.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1556%2F24421760001_05c1361cb8_z.jpg&hash=6ac40080b824724bd898f88e7a5261d3)
Just a nice view over the clouds to the Book Cliffs this morning.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1565%2F23877305793_b80f18bc4b_z.jpg&hash=ff03fa63b3cbcfd647a23b9df759da2e)
I liked the way that the signs were coated with snow.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1716%2F24421742451_b29684d9f4_z.jpg&hash=771e890afd3cf97cb6c8e3927406798c)
My first real stop was at the Independence Monument Overlook where I planned to watch the sunrise. I took this photo before the sun came up as the fog crept up Wedding Canyon and Monument Canyon.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1634%2F23858460463_d18b413a34_z.jpg&hash=8c854c3fcf0cb8400a8a184a0e02acbf)
Eventually the sun began to light up the top of the clouds.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1587%2F23863449024_1d0eba8485_z.jpg&hash=059fba30cc43ce975040e73e6a8c0a48)
Warm light strikes the canyon rim in front of me.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1571%2F24204353770_ee095a6025_z.jpg&hash=c426a5dd1333faa450a6aab51a5312d9)
A little more light on the clouds surrounding Independence Monument and the edge of The Island.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1607%2F23882937664_078da0ea03_z.jpg&hash=fa083a4c71fcdd1d64e2ab3b1cf121f7)
After the sun had come up I moved on to Grand View, which is one of my favorite overlooks in the park. I had a lot of fun taking photographs here with the warm light, cool shadows and constantly changing fog.
I love the different layers in this one. The Pipe Organ is lit up on the foreground with Sentinel Spire and Window Rock hiding in the clouds in the background.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1588%2F24409298241_9ce6362116_z.jpg&hash=911a825a278697a31b34dd55e67fddd4)
Independence Monument, front and center.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1631%2F23861622974_8e868727c1_z.jpg&hash=3f0c1df1c08ffb96ecc0c848468c3d8a)
Independence Monument and The Island.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1572%2F24484828826_b848c385d1_z.jpg&hash=3dee919b9a6563c1170a247ddcf3836a)
Click on this wide panorama for the real ‘Grand View’ this morning.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1613%2F24409514751_6a8be8bda1_z.jpg&hash=42d1aa2aad415a956fbcf7a9f234a79c)
Looking over the top of a monolith and Monument Canyon.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1457%2F24408994201_b54c149536_z.jpg&hash=9397a4b8aea7a0f154d8674a9c6a48b7)
The Pipe Organ and the overlook at the end of Otto’s Trail.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1496%2F23884310293_c9263508bb_z.jpg&hash=c54637f8faf2824a10bae37b19416954)
Back-lit fog surrounds the Kissing Couple.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1543%2F24459181296_0b52ff7b4e_z.jpg&hash=27195bbef43aae91bf9c98861c6f5444)
After a little while the fog moved further up the canyon and became thicker, obscuring some of the monoliths below.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1694%2F23881818184_180867183b_z.jpg&hash=92a1472677ef974e2f0b631b9adf0183)
After leaving Grand View and continuing along Rim Rock Drive I stopped for this photo of the overlook and monolith.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1545%2F24465785396_b7257b3e7b_z.jpg&hash=14c89c8aa71c21928b12f0aac977d943)
Morning above the Coke Ovens.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1631%2F24396170182_9e81b5288c_z.jpg&hash=5825e6d00ef466e63ede72d8e29093d5)
Down in the valley it was overcast, but up here it was bright and sunny. A beautiful way to start the day.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1513%2F24427502071_883c3368b5_z.jpg&hash=c5cc12d6cf98edd1143fdafe645c6cc5)
Looking back to Artist’s Point.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1575%2F24407167161_2fdf6dbdcf_z.jpg&hash=a349cd683d013acf5e4ae5e9433299c0)
Sixteen miles back to Grand Junction…
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1706%2F24381340612_ea167563ff_z.jpg&hash=5c7c059f68bd56e73262e6fac7110e01)
A quick stop at the Ute Canyon Overlook.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1650%2F23861330774_83d246792d_z.jpg&hash=f28e1b676f1721b0a41259cec22f6720)
Followed by a brief stop near the head of Red Canyon.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1541%2F23861520444_d26e7c49f1_z.jpg&hash=e65c56269bec955fad3ebd2e2218f4e0)
A snow-covered Cold Shivers Point.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1625%2F23881415044_d6bf47aaba_z.jpg&hash=9d8f8d95cd247136f0b8e683bde47df0)
Descending down into No Thoroughfare Canyon I stopped for a photo of this rock, known as the Dog’s Tooth. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a photo of it before?
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1666%2F24141907449_fd05a5bfe4_z.jpg&hash=db6f426fbf6e0b13ef9a3ab98af484bb)
As I descended lower into the canyon I soon found myself under the clouds again with no sunlight.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1598%2F23882922773_0cd37a72f2_z.jpg&hash=f6aec754b3ce2ab5267c674a5960fb93)
>> Fresh Snow & Fog Photo Gallery
>> The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1486%2F24428742721_5d53dc5121_z.jpg&hash=b956bf5d1045159f6f4b6911250258f4)
A beautiful sunrise from the Grand View overlook in the Colorado National Monument.
Visiting the Colorado National Monument in the winter with a fresh coat of snow and canyons filled with fog is a magical experience that doesn’t happen too often. But that’s exactly what I woke up to this morning! I took a detour on my way to work so I could spend a little time photographing the sunrise in these conditions and I’m glad that I did since it turned out to be one of the more spectacular sunrises I’ve witnessed in the Monument. Enjoy the photos!
The drive to the Monument was a little slower than usual since visibility in the Grand Valley was pretty low and I got stuck behind plenty of slow drivers on their way to work. Once I reached the west entrance I quickly drove up the switchbacks of Rim Rock Drive until I was out of the clouds and had a much clearer view of the valley. Mount Garfield and the Grand Mesa are visible in the distance over the low layer of clouds.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1556%2F24421760001_05c1361cb8_z.jpg&hash=6ac40080b824724bd898f88e7a5261d3)
Just a nice view over the clouds to the Book Cliffs this morning.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1565%2F23877305793_b80f18bc4b_z.jpg&hash=ff03fa63b3cbcfd647a23b9df759da2e)
I liked the way that the signs were coated with snow.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1716%2F24421742451_b29684d9f4_z.jpg&hash=771e890afd3cf97cb6c8e3927406798c)
My first real stop was at the Independence Monument Overlook where I planned to watch the sunrise. I took this photo before the sun came up as the fog crept up Wedding Canyon and Monument Canyon.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1634%2F23858460463_d18b413a34_z.jpg&hash=8c854c3fcf0cb8400a8a184a0e02acbf)
Eventually the sun began to light up the top of the clouds.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1587%2F23863449024_1d0eba8485_z.jpg&hash=059fba30cc43ce975040e73e6a8c0a48)
Warm light strikes the canyon rim in front of me.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1571%2F24204353770_ee095a6025_z.jpg&hash=c426a5dd1333faa450a6aab51a5312d9)
A little more light on the clouds surrounding Independence Monument and the edge of The Island.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1607%2F23882937664_078da0ea03_z.jpg&hash=fa083a4c71fcdd1d64e2ab3b1cf121f7)
After the sun had come up I moved on to Grand View, which is one of my favorite overlooks in the park. I had a lot of fun taking photographs here with the warm light, cool shadows and constantly changing fog.
I love the different layers in this one. The Pipe Organ is lit up on the foreground with Sentinel Spire and Window Rock hiding in the clouds in the background.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1588%2F24409298241_9ce6362116_z.jpg&hash=911a825a278697a31b34dd55e67fddd4)
Independence Monument, front and center.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1631%2F23861622974_8e868727c1_z.jpg&hash=3f0c1df1c08ffb96ecc0c848468c3d8a)
Independence Monument and The Island.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1572%2F24484828826_b848c385d1_z.jpg&hash=3dee919b9a6563c1170a247ddcf3836a)
Click on this wide panorama for the real ‘Grand View’ this morning.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1613%2F24409514751_6a8be8bda1_z.jpg&hash=42d1aa2aad415a956fbcf7a9f234a79c)
Looking over the top of a monolith and Monument Canyon.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1457%2F24408994201_b54c149536_z.jpg&hash=9397a4b8aea7a0f154d8674a9c6a48b7)
The Pipe Organ and the overlook at the end of Otto’s Trail.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1496%2F23884310293_c9263508bb_z.jpg&hash=c54637f8faf2824a10bae37b19416954)
Back-lit fog surrounds the Kissing Couple.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1543%2F24459181296_0b52ff7b4e_z.jpg&hash=27195bbef43aae91bf9c98861c6f5444)
After a little while the fog moved further up the canyon and became thicker, obscuring some of the monoliths below.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1694%2F23881818184_180867183b_z.jpg&hash=92a1472677ef974e2f0b631b9adf0183)
After leaving Grand View and continuing along Rim Rock Drive I stopped for this photo of the overlook and monolith.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1545%2F24465785396_b7257b3e7b_z.jpg&hash=14c89c8aa71c21928b12f0aac977d943)
Morning above the Coke Ovens.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1631%2F24396170182_9e81b5288c_z.jpg&hash=5825e6d00ef466e63ede72d8e29093d5)
Down in the valley it was overcast, but up here it was bright and sunny. A beautiful way to start the day.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1513%2F24427502071_883c3368b5_z.jpg&hash=c5cc12d6cf98edd1143fdafe645c6cc5)
Looking back to Artist’s Point.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1575%2F24407167161_2fdf6dbdcf_z.jpg&hash=a349cd683d013acf5e4ae5e9433299c0)
Sixteen miles back to Grand Junction…
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1706%2F24381340612_ea167563ff_z.jpg&hash=5c7c059f68bd56e73262e6fac7110e01)
A quick stop at the Ute Canyon Overlook.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1650%2F23861330774_83d246792d_z.jpg&hash=f28e1b676f1721b0a41259cec22f6720)
Followed by a brief stop near the head of Red Canyon.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1541%2F23861520444_d26e7c49f1_z.jpg&hash=e65c56269bec955fad3ebd2e2218f4e0)
A snow-covered Cold Shivers Point.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1625%2F23881415044_d6bf47aaba_z.jpg&hash=9d8f8d95cd247136f0b8e683bde47df0)
Descending down into No Thoroughfare Canyon I stopped for a photo of this rock, known as the Dog’s Tooth. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a photo of it before?
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1666%2F24141907449_fd05a5bfe4_z.jpg&hash=db6f426fbf6e0b13ef9a3ab98af484bb)
As I descended lower into the canyon I soon found myself under the clouds again with no sunlight.
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm2.staticflickr.com%2F1598%2F23882922773_0cd37a72f2_z.jpg&hash=f6aec754b3ce2ab5267c674a5960fb93)
>> Fresh Snow & Fog Photo Gallery
>> The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO