Heart of the World | Wednesday, January 1, 2025
This year for New Year’s Day I actually decided to go in to work instead of heading out to the local backcountry for just a day trip in the middle of the week since I have a busy spring coming up and need to conserve some of my PTO for then. But after spending a day alone in the office and getting a lot done I still wanted to get out for my first hike of 2025, so after leaving work I headed up into the Colorado National Monument to start working on my Heart of the World project by hiking some of the shorter trails located around Saddlehorn and the Visitor Center. Once I arrived at the parking lot for the Visitor Center I followed the Canyon Rim Trail to the Book Cliffs Shelter and then continued on the Window Rock Trail to the campground. I then made a short detour to the top of Saddlehorn before returning to the trailhead and hiking the Alcove Nature Trail. It was a nice way to spend a couple hours after work and get in my first hike of the year!
A view from the Canyon Rim Overlook behind the Visitor Center.
Following the Canyon Rim Trail.
Wedding Canyon & The Island
Canyon Rim Trail
Following the rim above Wedding Canyon.
After reaching the Book Cliffs Shelter I continued on to Window Rock.
A short scramble to the top of Saddlehorn provided a nice view of the area.
Finishing my afternoon hiking on the Alcove Nature Trail.
The ‘alcove’ at the end of the trail.
Tafoni
Alcove Nature Trail Overlook
Saddlehorn
On my way back out of the park I made a quick stop at the Fruita Canyon View above Balanced Rock.
