Sandstone tunnels of Colorado National MonumentColorado National MonumentMay 22, 2007. There are several campgrounds available in the Fruita / Grand Junction area. We chose Monument RV-Park just because we needed to easily & quickly get into the campground and head out to experience Colorado National Monument. Monument RV-Park is a good clean park but at at $35 price tag. They do have location ---- like, within a mile of the western entrance to Colorado National Monument. The Colorado River State Park is located directly across the street from Monument RV-Park. I think we would probably stay in the State Park on a return trip if for no other reason than cost.
Colorado National Monument
We arrived in Fruita today expressly to tour Colorado National Monument. The Colorado National Monument isn't one of the "top-10" destinations for tourist but it is one of the most spectacular drives you can take. The views and geology exposed in the monument are some of the best available.
Tunnels in Colorado National Monument through Wingate Sandstone
It isn't easy to construct a highway up these vertical cliffs. On occasion engineers have to employee tunnels like these.
Wingate sandstone and Kenyeta formation with tunnel Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument, is not a National Park but most people do not know the difference between a National Park and a National Monument. A national park is established by an act of congress, and usually applies to a site that is nationally-significant in multiple ways. A national monument, on the other hand, is established by presidential proclamation, and usually applies to a site that is nationally significant, but for a singular reason.
Kayenta formation caprock protecting Wingate Sandstone Colorado National Monument
Much harder caprock of the Kayenta formation protecting the softer Wingate Sandstone under it.
The caprocks in this picture are starting to produce hoodoos. Look closely and you can see some hoodoos that are already formed.
Grand Junction from Colorado National Monument
Joyce took this picture of Grand Junction, in the valley and an awesome switchback visible several hundred feet below as we snake our way down the cliff face on the eastern side of Colorado National Monument.
Tunnel through Wingate Sandstone in Colorado National Monument
Like on the western side engineers had to employ a tunnel in order to get automobiles down the steep cliff face.
Impressive road cut through Wingate Sandstone in Colorado National Monument
Deep road cuts were employed in some places in the place of tunnels. This is one impressive roadcut.
These are some of our other Travel Logs in this area: The John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah Arches National Monument in Moab, Utah Driving US-191 from Blanding to Moab, Utah
More Colorado AdventuresSome Exciting Drives** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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