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Kodels Canyon

Monday, April 21, 2014

After hiking up the Fruita Dugway just over a week ago and being treated to some nice views down into Kodels Canyon for part of the way, I decided that I wanted to check out that canyon soon. I wasn’t expecting much on this short hike after work, but there were a lot of great sights in this short canyon at the very western edge of the Colorado National Monument. My understanding is that this canyon is named after an old prospector who had a cabin near the mouth of the canyon. He apparently dug the mine that is located up the canyon a short way and worked the claim for at least 30 years until around 1930.

Juniper skeleton in silhouette against the cliffs.

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In the Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The trail climbs to the upper canyon.

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Upper Kodels Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This rock and tree in the wash caught my eye as I hiked by.

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Kodels Wash by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I saw plenty of wildflowers on this hike, including this group which was growing out of a small crack on top of a large boulder.

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Flowers on a Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The view back down the canyon with Fruita and the Book Cliffs in the distance.

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Kodels Canyon Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The old mine shaft, gated off by the Park Service.

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Kodels Mine by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Just past the mine the short canyon in the Precambrian rock ended here below a dry waterfall.

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Box Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view past the sandstone canyon walls towards Fruita.

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Fruita View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Leaving the Colorado National Monument on my way back to the trailhead.

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Barbed Boundary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I saw a lot of Indian Paintbrush along the wash.

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Paintbrush by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Cottonwood trees in the mouth of the canyon.

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Kodels Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This canyon was a nice place to spend a few hours after work.

>> Kodels Canyon Photo Gallery

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