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Colorado National Monument Weekend

Friday – Sunday, December 7-9, 2012

This weekend I decided to stay home for a change. I figured that I could spend some quality time photographing the Colorado National Monument since I would be around. After work on Friday, I drove up to the Monument to try and catch a sunset that looked promising. It turned out to be a decent sunset, but not over the Monument. Instead, it was colorful over the Book Cliffs across the valley.

A portion of the Book Cliffs across the valley turns pink.

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Red Book Cliffs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The following morning I was up at the Monument again. This time I was there well before the sun came up so I could try and catch the glow that sometimes happens 15-20 minutes before sunrise.

Before the sunrise the monoliths lit up with the glow I was hoping for. This is a view down Wedding Canyon towards Fruita.

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Fruita Beyond by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The early morning glow lights up The Island.

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Island View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The sun finally makes an appearance.

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Frame by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunlight strikes the top of the monoliths and the rim of the canyon.

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Sunlight by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I liked how the monuments cast their shadows on this wall below Saddlehorn and the Visitor’s Center.

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Morning Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunlight reaches the Grand Valley this hazy morning.

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Hazy Morning by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Window Rock with the Book Cliffs in the background.

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Window Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Once the sun was up I headed back home, but not for long since I returned again in the afternoon to catch the sunset.

Independence Monument in the late afternoon.

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Independence Monument by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sentinel Spire over the Grand Valley.

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Sentinel Spire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another view of The Island.

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Island Storm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Independence Monument from Otto’s Trail.

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Monument Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The view down Wedding Canyon as the Book Cliffs glow a fiery red at sunset.

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Red Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were some amazing colors this evening.

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Explosion by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The colors at sunset reflected off of the clouds and turned all the monoliths in Monument Canyon a pink color. It was a spectacular scene.

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Pink Monuments by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I had returned on Sunday again for sunrise, but had some issues with my camera that prevented me from taking any more photos…so that’s all for now!

>> Colorado National Monument Weekend Photo Gallery

4 Comments

    • Randy Langstraat
      Randy Langstraat December 31, 2012

      Thanks Richard!

  1. Stacy Salmans
    Stacy Salmans December 31, 2012

    Randy great write up and pictures. You an inspiration to many,me included, keep up the great work!!

    • Randy Langstraat
      Randy Langstraat December 31, 2012

      Thank you Stacy!

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