Rim Rock Drive Overlooks

IntrepidXJ

ADVENTR
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
3,479
Saturday, April 26, 2014

I was originally planning to hike Flume Canyon near Fruita this morning when I left my house shortly after sunrise, but the unusual clouds in the sky and beautiful light in the canyons of the northern end of the Uncompahgre Plateau made me change my mind. Instead, I drove up into the Colorado National Monument and spent the morning taking photos from the overlooks along Rim Rock Drive.

A view back towards Chalk Mountain and the Grand Mesa after entering the Monument on Rim Rock Drive below. Bright green cottonwood trees light up in the bottom of No Thoroughfare Canyon.


Grand Junction Entrance
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking up No Thoroughfare Canyon. It sure looks a lot different when it's not overcast and raining!


No Thoroughfare Canyon
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Interesting clouds over my Jeep.


Edge of the Storm
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The first main overlook I stopped at was Cold Shivers Point.


Cold Shivers Point Sign
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Great views over Columbus Canyon and Red Canyon from here with the wall of clouds over the Grand Valley and Book Cliffs.


Cold Shivers Point
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Red Canyon Clouds
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Below the Overlook
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A little further down the road I pulled over for a shot down Columbus Canyon.


Columbus Canyon
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A nice view down the very straight Red Canyon.


Red Canyon
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I recently hiked through Ute Canyon with Diane, but it's been a while since I'd stopped at the main overlook.


Ute Canyon Sign
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I loved the clouds over this beautiful canyon.


Ute Canyon Clouds
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The upper reaches of Ute Canyon just below Suction Point.


Upper Ute Canyon
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Following Rim Rock Drive to the next overlook.


Road Cut
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A nice view of the Coke Ovens from Artists Point.


Coke Ovens Panorama
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another view a little further down the road.


Coke Ovens Below
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The upper reaches of Monument Canyon from the short Coke Ovens Overlook trail.


Upper Reaches
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made sure to stop at the always spectacular Monument Canyon overlook.


Monument Canyon Sign
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A panoramic image of the view from here.


Monument Canyon Panorama
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Love the layers in this photo.


Monument Canyon Layers
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


On the Road
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It's been a while since I stopped at Grand View for this spectacular view down Wedding Canyon.


Wedding Canyon
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Island and Independence Monument across from Grand View.


Grand View
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Independence Monument towers above the Grand Valley.


Independence Monument
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Canyon Wall
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After visiting many of the typical overlooks, I needed to get off the beaten path and wanted to check out a short slot canyon I came across a few years back.

Hiking up the canyon to the little slot.


Canyon Hiking
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Nice reflected light as the canyon narrowed.


Slot Entrance
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Entering the short slot canyon.


Short Slot Canyonjpg
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It ends at this tall and narrow dry waterfall.


Slot Pourover
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

More reflected light on my way back out.


Slot Light
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made a quick stop at the Fruita Canyon Overlook.


Fruita Canyon
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Before leaving the park I hiked a short section of the Fruita Dugway, this time in better weather.

While hiking in the rain a few weeks ago I came across this tree in a large alcove. The light wasn't good that day, but I knew I wanted to return.


Alcove Tree
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Switchback Canyon Clouds
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking down on Rim Rock Drive towards Fruita and the Book Cliffs.


Rim Rock Drive
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Nice clouds over the old Fruita Dugway from the Historic Trails View.


Fruita Dugway
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> Rim Rock Drive Overlooks Photo Gallery
>> The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

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