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A Quick Loop on the Corkscrew Trail

Heart of the World | Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Although Diane and I have been busy this week getting ready to leave for the Grand Canyon on Friday morning, I felt like getting in a quick hike after work on Wednesday afternoon and decided to revisit the Corkscrew Trail loop in the Colorado National Monument so I could check another trail off my Heart of the World project. The last time I hiked the Corkscrew Trail was almost a decade ago when Diane and I went searching for dinosaur tracks in Ute Canyon, so I was looking forward to the return visit. Even though it had been getting pretty warm in the valley just a few short days ago, a cold front moved through the area overnight which significantly dropped the temperature out and made things a bit chilly on the hike today.

Following the lower Liberty Cap Trail from the Wildwood Trailhead.

Lower Liberty Cap Trail

The Face of the Monument

Face of the Monument

Starting the steep climb up the Liberty Cap Trail.

Going Up

A view back over the Grand Valley from the trail.

Liberty Cap Trail View

Liberty Cap Trail

Liberty Cap Trail

The clouds were looking nice at this point, but it would become pretty overcast shortly…

Trail View

Nearing the top of the Precambrian Bench.

Precambrian Bench

Switchback View

Switchback View

An old fenceline across the trail from the ranching days.

Old Fence

Bench Trail View

Bench Trail View

Bucket & Brush Fence

Bucket & Brush Fence

Following the Bench Trail to the top of the Corkscrew Trail.

Bench Trail

Starting the descent down the Corkscrew Trail.

Corkscrew Trail Descent

Following the narrow trail as it switchbacked down from the bench.

Corkscrew Trail

Hiking across the lower trail on my way back to the trailhead.

Lower Corkscrew Trail

Corkscrew Monument View

Corkscrew Monument View

>> Corkscrew Trail Loop Photo Gallery

One Comment

  1. Michelle D.
    Michelle D. April 21, 2025

    Great photos, thank you!

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