Bangs Canyon Recreation Area
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
This evening after work I headed out to explore a local canyon that’s found near The Ribbon Trail in the Bangs Canyon Recreation Area, just outside of the Colorado National Monument. Earlier this year I had come across a recent canyoneering trip report for this canyon, which they called Ribbon Canyon, and I thought it looked like it would be a nice place to visit after work one day. Well, now that I have to stay closer to home, I figured that this would be the perfect opportunity to check out this short canyon! Although the canyoneers who posted the original trip report had rappelled down into the canyon from above, I thought I’d hike up from the bottom to see how far I could get. It turns out that I was able to see the best parts of the canyon before I got stopped by a high dryfall. I must say, this is probably the nicest canyon that I have ever visited this close to home, and I really enjoyed my evening spent here!
The beginning of my hike started on Andy’s Loop from Little Park Road.
A view of the Eagle’s Wing as I started climbing up The Ribbon Trail.
Entering the shallow canyon.
Soon the canyon walls grew taller and narrower.
Ribbon Canyon Narrows
Continuing further up Ribbon Canyon…
There was a large alcove on the left shortly before the canyon came to an end at a dryfall.
This was as far as I could go up the canyon.
Looking straight up from below the dryfall.
One last view down the canyon from my turnaround point.
The light was nicer during my hike back, so I took a bunch of photos!
Near the beginning of the canyon are a bunch of large potholes that were full of water. I was able to walk around most of them, but had to walk through this one to continue up the canyon, so my feet got wet when I entered and exited the canyon. If you are a better climber than me (most people are), then you might be able to get around this pool without getting wet…
Teardrop Pool
Leaving Ribbon Canyon as I made my way back to The Ribbon Trail.
Following The Ribbon Trail back to the trailhead.
One last parting shot as I climbed back up to Little Park Road. It was a beautiful evening in the canyons near Grand Junction!
Thanks for taking the time to share this Randy. I always enjoy your posts, but, in these strange times, I really look forward to them! Tom McC, McQueeney, Texas.
Hi Randy, beautiful photographs. Which trail head on little park road connects to Andy’s loop? Can I drag my kids on this hike?
I just parked at a pull-out where the trail crosses the road. If your kids can hike 5 miles with a couple hundred feet of elevation, I don’t see why not. Just watch out for poison ivy in the canyon.
Hi Randy, Sounds like Andy’ loop crosses the Little Park Road before the road reaches Bangs Canyon TH correct? Looking forward to hike this canyon this coming weekend. Thanks.