Heart of the World | Saturday, March 15, 2025
After staying home early on Saturday morning so I could try to get a permit for Desolation Canyon at 8:00am and was successful, Diane and I hopped into the Jeep and started driving west towards Utah since we initially were planning to spend the rest of the day exploring Eagle Park within Arches National Park. However, as we were speeding along I-70 between Grand Junction and Fruita the clouds from the storm that had passed through the area overnight were clearing and the view over to the Colorado National Monument was looking very nice, so we decided to change up our plans and go hike the loop in Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon instead.
When we arrived at the trailhead the clouds and light were still looking nice as we started up the Monument Canyon Trail.
The edge of Monument Mesa in the clouds.
Lower Monument Canyon Trail
Island Stripes
Unfortunately, as soon as we started hiking up into Monument Canyon the cloud cover began to increase significantly and it stayed mostly overcast for the rest of the hike. It even started to lightly snow on us a few times.
Little Island Pass
Monument Mesa Point
Hiking below The Island.
Sandstone & Clouds
Island Light
Monument Canyon Clouds
Independence Monument
Monument Canyon
Beginning the descent into Wedding Canyon.
Looking back to Independence Monument with clouds clinging to the rim of the canyon.
The Pipe Organ
Sentinel Spire
Of course, the clouds finally started to clear a bit and the sun came out again as we were leaving Wedding Canyon and returning to the trailhead.
Wedding Canyon Trail
Clearing Clouds, Again
After spending the afternoon at home I headed back out later in the day to hike into Kodels Canyon before sunset. When I left home the sky over the Monument was looking nice again, but of course, as soon as I arrived at the trailhead it became overcast again for much of the hike. It even snowed on me again!
Kodels Canyon Snowstorm
Kodels Canyon Trail
I stopped to check out the old mine.
The sun did come out for a little bit while I was up in the canyon.
Kodels Canyon
Kodels Canyon Rim
A nice view from the end of the trail and my turnaround point.
Even though the conditions weren’t quite what I was hoping for on either of my hikes today, at least I was able to knock another three trails off the list for my Heart of the World project, and I would still be able to head on over to Eagle Park on Sunday morning instead.
>> Monument Canyon, Wedding Canyon & Kodels Canyon Photo Gallery