Racing the Rain on the Canyon Rim Trail: Colorado National Monument

The Canyon Rim trail is a one mile round trip canyon rim hike on top of Kayenta sandstone through Utah Juniper, Pinyon Pines and sage (known as a Pygmy Forest). The hike can be extended beyond Book Cliff View by hiking another quarter mile to Window Rock. No matter what distance you hike, this is an easy trek with excellent views. The views across Monument Canyon are excellent from this lofty perch atop Wedding Canyon (Where park founder John Otto was married in 1911 at the foot of Independence Monument).

We started the hike at the visitor center on the Fruita side of Colorado National Monument. The trail is accessed behind the visitor center. At the visitor center are restrooms, fresh water, and a covered picnic area, along with the usual overpriced souvenirs. The trail is uneven, but mostly flat. There is uneven footing and loose rock and sand on top of slick rock along the trail. There is no protection at the canyon rim and it's a long way down if one falls.

Looking across the canyon one can see Otto's Trail and, in the distance, Independence Monument. At the end of the trail you can seen the Colorado River Valley with the town of Fruita. Further on are The Book Cliffs.

Be ready for all types of weather as conditions can change quickly (as seen in this video). Though it's a short trail take plenty of water to drink as the slick rock reflects heat and can get very hot.

This is one of our favorite hikes in Colorado National Monument. It's short, easy to navigate, and offers outstanding views.

Equipment:
iPhone 10
A 15 year old Olympus VG-140
Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote
Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart
Hiking hat is a Tilley

Music:
Back to Portland by TrackTribe
Sugar Pines by Wes Hutchinson
To Weather a Storm by Dan Lebowitz

We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 92,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it.

Recorded on location July 1, 2021 at Colorado National Monument.