Colorado National Monument

20160529_183918

We went along the rimrock drive in the Colorado National Monument to check out the view.

20160529_183954

This park is gorgeous!  So many great canyons!

20160529_185150_Richtone(HDR)

Grand Junction out in the distance.

20160529_185732

Big views.
20160529_185747_Richtone(HDR)
20160529_185954_Richtone(HDR)

A cactus blooming.

20160529_191024

Shadows creeping over the canyons.
20160529_191756_Richtone(HDR)

Monument Rock.

20160529_191812_Richtone(HDR)
20160529_192045_Richtone(HDR)

An old tree standing guard on the rim.

20160529_192948_Richtone(HDR)

There are climbers on the rock in the middle of this picture up near the top.

Gateway

20160529_160014

The canyons that engulf Gateway are so impressive.  I can’t believe such beautiful places are only a few hours away from where I live.

20160529_160030_Richtone(HDR)

A big ship of rock rising out of the bottomland.

20160529_160036_Richtone(HDR)

What beauty!  It’s hard to believe that a destination resort found this place to set itself down.

Uncompahgre Plateau Reconnaissance

20160529_124035_Richtone(HDR)

We went up on the Uncompahgre Plateau to check out the area for future expeditions.  My aunt has been up here many times but this was the first for Heather and me.

20160529_124041_Richtone(HDR)

Lots of canyons cut into the plateau.

20160529_124105

20160529_131044_Richtone(HDR)

We found a great little lunch spot away from all the traffic on top of the plateau.  Only one UTV passed us while we were hanging out for an hour.

20160529_142112_Richtone(HDR)

Looking out toward what I think is the La Sal Mountains in Utah.

20160529_151928_Richtone(HDR)

Descending down a steep road used for uranium prospecting.

20160529_151943_Richtone(HDR)

20160529_153104_Richtone(HDR)

We came down this awesome road on the way off the plateau.  It is MUCH steeper in person.

20160529_152645

The Tacoma did a GREAT job coming down this steep road. 20160529_152751 20160529_152829_Richtone(HDR) 20160529_152906