Heart of the World | Monday, August 18, 2025
Although I was running short on time as we prepared to spend the latter part of this week up in Wyoming, this afternoon was probably going to be my only opportunity to squeeze in an August hike in the Colorado National Monument for my Heart of the World project that I’ve been working on completing this year. So after work I waited until about 5:00pm in the evening, hoping the temperature would start to cool off a little, and then headed off to the Devils Kitchen Trailhead just inside the East Entrance so I could hike into Lower No Thoroughfare Canyon to the First Waterfall. It was still almost 100 degrees out as I started the hike, but there was an occasional strong breeze that helped cool me off, plus the parts of the canyon that were already in the shade felt pretty nice. These are a few photos from the short hike.
Starting my hike down the wide trail that leads into No Thoroughfare Canyon.
Sandstone Swirl
Following the wash through No Thoroughfare Canyon.
This juniper tree caught my attention as I hiked below it.
No Thoroughfare Canyon
The temperature cooled off a little as I entered the shaded Precambrian gorge.
Canyon Cottonwoods
Rocky Jumble
It appears that the leaves on the cottonwood trees were already starting to change colors, most likely because it’s been a very dry year. Typically, the colors don’t start changing in the Monument until later in October…
Following the Precambrian canyon floor on my way back out of the canyon.
Canyon View
The First Pool was dry, which is expected at this time of the year- unless it’s flash flooding.
Canyon Cliffs
Here’s one final view as I left No Thoroughfare Canyon and returned to the trailhead. It was still 90 degrees out when I returned to my vehicle.
