Happy Friday! I hope you all enjoyed the latest newsletter on my hippy hot springs recommendations. Remember you can always become a paid subscriber at any time and take advantage of my previously published content. Or just relax right here and enjoy the freebies. I hope you feel inspired to get out and explore either way.
Temps are starting to drop here on the Western Slope of Colorado and the Cottonwood trees are just beginning to put on a colorful show. While leaf peeping season is coming to a close in the high country, the start of my second favorite season is about to begin…desert season!
Next month I’ll be taking my readers on a tour of my favorite hikes in Grand Junction and the surrounding area. Colorado National Monument is amazing, but did you know we also have a canyon that is home to the second largest concentration of natural arches in the nation and possible the world? Arches National Park in Utah is first of course, but many don’t know that if you’re willing to hike a few miles off the beaten path you can find spectacular (and less crowded) arches right here outside of Grand Junction that are kid and dog friendly!
I’ll also give you a preview of some of my favorite hikes in Utah that are off the beaten path as well and, of course, as I explore these areas myself I’ll report back and let you know what I think. I just ask that you leave these areas better than you found them, keep the knowledge sacred and be safe and have fun. Hiking in the desert is one of my favorite activities in the fall and early spring and I find the temperature is more suitable for longer hiking and you can catch a gorgeous sunset and still be home in time for dinner.
Can you believe this is in Colorado?
Driving through Colorado National Monument and don’t have time for a long hike? I highly recommend Devil’s Kitchen.
If you’re coming into the monument from the Grand Junction side this is the first parking/trailhead you’ll encounter and you can park at the Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area on the right or the obvious parking area on the left. It’s .75 miles one way and perfect for kids who love to scramble on rocks just make sure you keep a close eye on them as there are some ledges (dogs aren’t allowed). This trail features a gradual ascent that leads to a natural opening formed by a huge circle of upright boulders. *Pro-tip: turn your camera phone sideways to take a panorama photo vertically to capture the scale*
You’ll go right at the first fork in the trail then at the second fork go left. I’ve done this hike in spring with snow and late summer and it’s gorgeous either way! In the winter I like to tack on No Throughfare Canyon (you’ll see the signage on your way to Devil’s Kitchen, it’s the second fork in the trail) because it dead-ends at a frozen waterfall. No Throughfare Canyon is a 5.6 mile out and back trail and there’s a lower and upper falls. Of course, if we are in a drought you won’t find waterfalls, but it’s still a pleasant hike through the canyon either way!
I’ve done both hikes on a weekday and rarely encounter any other hikers! There is a $25 private non-commercial vehicle fee ($20 for motorcycle or $15 for hiker or bicyclist) for entering the National Monument but if you have a National Parks Pass you can enter for free. If you don’t have a Parks Pass you can always check one out at your local library! Permits are good for seven consecutive days and there is a visitor center on the Fruita side. You can always pick-up a map upon entering at either station.
I’m looking forward to sharing my favorite hikes with you next month in the Grand Junction area and hope you’re excited to do a little trail treasure hunting for yourselves!
Have a great week!
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