When most people think about hiking in Colorado, they don’t even consider Grand Junction. It doesn’t get much press, but it’s a great destination (maybe that’s part of the reason). A mecca for hikers and mountain bikers, the Grand Junction/Fruita area is also a favorite of wine lovers thanks to the many vineyards in the valley.
On the far-western slope of Colorado, Grand Junction looks more like Utah than it does the Rockies. Driving I-70 from Denver, you pass through the idyllic pine-covered mountain towns of Frisco and Vail, but once you get past the Aspen turnoff, it’s a whole ‘nother story.
Lush mountains become rocky cliffs. Green becomes dusty red and tree-covered slopes become rock-strewn plateaus. It’s almost like another state… or another world. The neighboring national park, Colorado National Monument, looks like the baby brother of the Grand Canyon. That’s because The Monument lies at the edge of the Uncompahgre Uplift, which is part of the greater Colorado Plateau. The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Arches are all part of the Colorado Plateau.
Colorado National Monument is great to look at, but unfortunately, it isn’t dog friendly so we didn’t get to hike the interior. Dogs aren’t allowed anywhere in the park. Because I’d much rather be hiking with my dogs, we drove ten miles north to McInnis Canyons Conservation Area where dogs are allowed. We did a hike called Pollock Bench and connected with another loop but I can’t remember the name… Devils Canyon maybe. It was gorgeous, a great alternative, and a reminder that’s it’s not where you are, but who you’re with that counts.
The stunning red rock formations are what really makes this place special. The trail starts out flat and open until you wind through a narrow canyon and come out on what I’m assuming is Pollock Bench, a plateau amid soaring rock walls. You have to watch out for rattlers on trails like this and keep the dogs under control so they don’t step on anything sharp. It’s no fun pulling prickers out of paw pads, I can tell you that.
Our only scare was when Chilly went to get a drink from this hole and fell in. She was clawing at the sides, unable to get out, and she became quite frantic (as did I). You can see the splash marks on the rocks. I had to practically crawl in with her and lift her out. That was the last time she tried to drink from a deep, dark crevasse.
The other difference between the Front Range and the Western Slope of the Rockies is the heat. It was H-O-T on this hike. And the sun was bright. It reminded me of hiking in Tucson. I was glad I brought extra water (for myself and the dogs) and sunscreen.
