Western Colorado, part one (autumn 2017)

Written by ceddammit

During the spring of 2006, I was introduced to the Colorado National Monument. It instantly became my favorite place on earth, and I have returned to it several times. One of these times was during the autumn of 2017. I had planned for a full day at the national monument, and arrived in the city of Grand Junction the afternoon before, with plenty of sunlight left in the day. So I headed for the relatively nearby Escalante Canyon.

This groovy-lookin’ hill is located across US Highway 50 from the mouth of Escalante Canyon
To get from the highway to the canyon, you must cross the Gunnison River, which was surrounded by autumnal gold

Just before crossing the Gunnison River, you must cross a railroad track. On a nearby siding, I spotted a Burro…

Wait, is it a burro or is it a crane? These are two very different animals, folks!
I wonder if the US Forest Service knows that Union Pacific has appropriated their sickly shade of green
Thankfully, instructions are provided for passersby such as myself.

And now, with little additional explanation, the actual canyon…

Civil War veteran Captain Henry A. Smith lived in a rock cabin below this cliff. He worked as a tombstone carver.
And finally, a cybernetic desert bighorn sheep

In part two next week, you will see the actual Colorado National Monument. Sorry to be such a tease.

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