How to see the monument depends in large part on how long you can stay,
but it depends also upon the direction you are travelling to or through
Grand Junction and Fruita, and on the mode of transportation. Moreover,
the Monument has four entrances—two main entrances from Fruita (West
Entrance) and Grand Junction (East Entrance), and two subordinate
entrances from the Glade Park area to the southwest.
Though by no means as well known as our large National Parks, Colorado
National Monument is more readily accessible than many. It is on two
transcontinental highways (U.S. 6 and 50), is the western terminus of
U.S. 24, and is on nearly completed Interstate 70, one of the most
scenic transcontinental Interstate Highways. Highway I-70 supersedes
many stretches of U.S. 6, 24, and 50, but the latter are still used in
parts of the Grand Valley and elsewhere. The Monument also is on the
main line of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, which still
maintains limited passenger service between Denver and Salt Lake City,
but this service may eventually be terminated. Grand Junction’s Walker
Field is served by several airlines, and both Grand Junction and Fruita
are served by busses.
Many people driving through the Grand Valley for the first time are
unaware of the Monument’s existence unless they happen to see it on a
roadmap or see road signs pointing toward it, but unfortunately the
signs are unevenly and poorly distributed. People entering Grand
Junction from the east on U.S. 6 and 24 or from the southeast on U.S. 50
are apt to see one or more of the signs—particularly when crossing Grand
Avenue on First or Fifth Streets. If they are heading westward and can
devote at least half a day, they may drive to the East Entrance, follow
Rim Rock Drive for 22 miles northwestward through the Monument, stop at
some or most of the scenic overlooks and the Visitor Center, leave via
the West Entrance, and proceed northwestward on U.S. 6 and 50 or better
yet on I-70. However, as will be described below, longer stops are much
more rewarding. Those driving eastward on I-70 may see the sign at the
Fruita interchange pointing southward toward the Monument—and may take
the above described quickie trip in reverse. Those heading northwestward
on I-70, however, may not be aware of the Monument until they see the
sign at the Fruita interchange; then, they may not have or take time to
double back southeastward through the Monument. If they do drive
southeastward through the Monument, however, they can return to Fruita
following a very scenic northwesterly route through The Redlands on
Broadway (Colo. Highway 340) and South Broadway, or they may take a
paved shortcut from near the East Entrance to South Broadway via South
Camp Road (p. 118). Drinking water and sanitary restrooms are available
in the headquarters area in the campgrounds and picnic grounds and
Visitor Center, and in the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area. Food is not
available in the Monument, so those planning to remain all day should
bring lunches.
I have conducted many groups through the Monument, always choosing to
travel northwestward from Grand Junction through The Redlands, just
northeast of the Monument, to the West Entrance, then returning
southeastward through the Monument.[33] On most days, taking the trip in
these directions affords good lighting for photographing most of the
scenic features. This and other routes are described in the next section
and are plainly labeled so that the visitor may start with any trip he
or she chooses. Regardless of how long you stay or which routes you
follow, it is advisable to be well supplied with color film.
Some of the view points and overlooks have displays or signs to help
interpret the scenic features, and more of these aids are added from
time to time.
There are three maps in this report (figs. 3, 8, 26); these maps will be
helpful to anyone touring the Monument. Figure 3 shows streams, highways
and roads, principal trails, named features, overlooks, and trip-guide
locations; figure 8 is a geologic map; and figure 26 shows localities
where most of the photographs were taken. In addition, topographic maps
of the Monument and adjacent areas by the U.S. Geological Survey, scale
1:24,000, are available from several sources and are a considerable aid
to visitors. In addition to cultural and drainage features, such maps
show the exact shape of the land by means of contour lines, which are
level lines that go in and out of canyons, around ridges, and so forth.
A special map of the Colorado National Monument quadrangle is available
also in a shaded relief edition, which gives a three dimensional effect
by proper shading of canyons and ridges. Both types of maps are for sale
at the Visitor Center, and these and adjacent quadrangles, such as the
Grand Junction, Fruita, Glade Park, and Island Mesa, are sold at several
engineering and stationery stores in Grand Junction and at the U.S.
Geological Survey’s Map Distribution Office, Building 41, Federal
Center, Denver, Colorado, 80225. The latter office and the Visitor
Center also sell copies of my “Geologic Map of the Grand Junction area,
Colorado,” published in 1963 as Miscellaneous Investigations Map I-404.
[Illustration: Petroglyph]