Heart of the World | Sunday, October 26, 2025
After spending Saturday morning hiking a big loop in the Colorado National Monument that combined Ute Canyon and Monument Mesa, I returned again early on Sunday morning to hike a shorter loop near Gold Star Canyon from the White Rocks Trailhead. This time I would combine the Mushroom Rock Trail, Gold Star Canyon Trail, Bench Trail and Fenceline Trail to create a nice little 6-7 mile loop and end up back at the White Rocks. I started hiking up onto the Precambrian Bench at dawn and was able to make it to an overlook of Monument Canyon below Mushroom Rock just in time to watch the sunrise.
Gold Star Canyon at Dawn
Following the trail above the Grand Valley at dawn.
Looking over the Little Island as I made my way to the edge of Monument Canyon.
Hiking The Bench Trail just before sunrise.
I had a great view over Monument Canyon as the warm morning light struck The Island on the other side.
Looking up the canyon I could see Independence Monument and it’s shadow.
After watching the sunrise I hiked back into Gold Star Canyon.
Gold Star Canyon View
As I followed the trail through Gold Star Canyon I could see Otto’s Staircase up on the wall.
Bottlecap Tower
There were some nice views from the Precambrian Bench this morning.
Eagle Tower
I followed a steep trail down off The Bench that I had never hiked before.
The route passed by this Precambrian chimney.
Down below I could see quite a few bighorn sheep.
I followed a segment of the Fenceline Trail I had not hiked before and then started my way back to the White Rocks.
Terra Tower & The Bench
Hiking below The Bench.
I passed by the bighorn sheep a little bit closer as I returned to the White Rocks.
White Rocks
Of course, I stopped to revisit the petroglyphs and pictographs while I was here.
I wandered around the White Rocks for a little bit and then returned to my vehicle and headed home. It was another nice morning in the Colorado National Monument!
