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Ribbon Canyon

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.

Andy's Loop Trail

A view of the Eagle’s Wing as I started climbing up The Ribbon Trail.

Eagle's Wing

Entering the shallow canyon.

Flat Wall

Soon the canyon walls grew taller and narrower.

Narrowing Canyon

Canyon Reflection

Ribbon Canyon Narrows

Ribbon Canyon Narrows

Canyon Puddle

Canyon Narrows

Continuing further up Ribbon Canyon…

Hiking Up Ribbon Canyon

There was a large alcove on the left shortly before the canyon came to an end at a dryfall.

Alcove On The Left

This was as far as I could go up the canyon.

End of the Line

Looking straight up from below the dryfall.

Looking Up at the End

One last view down the canyon from my turnaround point.

View From the End

The light was nicer during my hike back, so I took a bunch of photos!

Heading Back

Ribbon Canyon

Leaving The Narrows

Colorful Canyon

Shadows

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…

Black Pool

Teardrop Pool

Teardrop Pool

Canyon Curve

Shallow Canyon

Leaving Ribbon Canyon as I made my way back to The Ribbon Trail.

Leaving Ribbon Canyon

Following The Ribbon Trail back to the trailhead.

The Ribbon Trail

One last parting shot as I climbed back up to Little Park Road. It was a beautiful evening in the canyons near Grand Junction!

Parting Shot

>> Ribbon Canyon Photo Gallery

4 Comments

  1. Tom McCoppin
    Tom McCoppin April 18, 2020

    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.

  2. MARTIN T STREETMAN
    MARTIN T STREETMAN May 5, 2020

    Hi Randy, beautiful photographs. Which trail head on little park road connects to Andy’s loop? Can I drag my kids on this hike?

    • Randy Langstraat
      Randy Langstraat May 5, 2020

      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.

  3. bogdan
    bogdan May 28, 2020

    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.

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