Gold Star Canyon Loop

[IntrepidXJ]

Thursday, March 27, 2014

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

After work this evening, Diane and I met up for another short hike in the Colorado National Monument. We started from the White Rocks trailhead and then hiked the steep trail beside Gold Star Canyon up onto the Precambrian Bench. We followed the trail towards Monument Canyon and then turned around when we reached Mushroom Rock. Next we followed a wash down into Monument Canyon and hiked back to White Rocks by circling around the Little Island. It was a nice evening hike. I don't usually carry my camera on these short after-work hikes but the clouds in the sky were pretty nice from the passing storms so I decided to bring it with me. I'm glad I did!

The view across the Grand Valley as we hiked up the steep Gold Star Canyon trail.



Shadows on the Book Cliffs across the valley.



Great views on the Precambrian Bench.



Virga over the Book Cliffs.



The Little Island protrudes above the Precambrian Bench.



Spotlight on The Island across Monument Canyon.



Cloud shadows on Mount Garfield.



View of East Entrance as we descend a wash into Monument Canyon.





Nice light on the sandstone above as we hike back to the trailhead.



>> Gold Star Canyon Loop Photo Gallery

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[BJett]

Always love to see your Grand Valley shots. If I ever moved back to the west it would probably be back to GJ.
Randy have you ever been to Sieber Canyon in the southern part of the McInnis Canyons NCA?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Randy have you ever been to Sieber Canyon in the southern part of the McInnis Canyons NCA?

Not yet...finding the petroglyphs in that canyon has been on my list of things to do for years....yet I never seem to get there. It's actually on my calendar for April...so I hope to finally get there soon

I did scout out the route down into the canyon a few years back, but that's about it...

 

[BJett]

There is an archaeological site very near the route down into the canyon near the rim, its well documented. Still lots of lithic scatter around, and I found a complete point in the canyon bottom. It's still there, somewhere. The feet petroglyphs are very unique. Happy hunting!