Trail Run Project Logo

Monument Canyon Trail

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

5.8 Miles 9.4 Kilometers


91%

Runnable

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 39 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

Feb 25, 2017
Andrew Sharpe
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 11 votes

#3

in Colorado National Monument

#4064

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…

#304

in Colorado

#4,064

Overall
44 Views Last Month
1,493 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
Monumental in Grand Junction, this is what running on the Western Slope is all about
Monumental in Grand Junction, this is what runn…
 5
More beautiful formations with cloud and sun caught during the end of a storm
More beautiful formations with cloud and sun ca…
 4
Kissing Couple as sen from the Monument Canyon Trail
Kissing Couple as sen from the Monument Canyon…
 3
Other side of Kissing Couple monolith
Other side of Kissing Couple monolith
 4
Grinding up the steepest part of the metamorphic rock late in the day.
Grinding up the steepest part of the metamorphi…
 4

0 Comments

Nearby Runs

Running back at sunset with Phantom Spire in the distance.
6.9 mi 11.1 km
The Cabin Loop
 11
Fruita, CO
Expect an amazing sunset like this every evening in GJ.
3.8 mi 6.1 km
Serpents Trail
 9
Redlands, 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
No Photos
6.1 mi 9.8 km
Rabbit’s Ear
 2
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

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

Shop REI Running