Old Gordon Trail

[IntrepidXJ]

Colorado National Monument
Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 24, 2011

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

Amanda had to work for a few hours on Thanksgiving, so while she was at work I decided to head on over to the Colorado National Monument and hike the Old Gordon Trail. It's one of the few trails in the park that I had not hiked before. I was actually surprised to find that the park rangers were actually working on Thanksgiving. There were also plenty of people in the park, but they all seemed to be in No Thoroughfare Canyon or on the Serpents Trail because I had the Old Gordon Trail all to myself. I didn't run into anyone else up there, which was nice.

The view into No Thoroughfare Canyon as I hike towards the start of the Old Gordon Trail.


No Thoroughfare View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made a quick stop at the faint petroglyph panel in No Thoroughfare Canyon.


No Thoroughfare Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These signs were installed last year when they re-routed the trail into Echo Canyon.


Old Gordon Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As I climbed up onto the Uncompahgre Plateau via the Old Gordon Trail I had a nice view across the canyon of the busy Serpents Trail.


Serpents Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view towards the Book Cliffs across the Grand Valley.


Grand Valley View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another view as I climbed higher.


Higher View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After about 4 miles I reached the boundary of the park where the trail abruptly ended at a barbed wire fence. If I had really wanted to, I could have jumped the fence and continued on just a little further on BLM land, but I would have eventually reached private property.


End of the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I did a little exploring on my way back down and climbed up a sandstone outcropping which offered some nice views. From this point I could see the Ribbon Trail and I think I might make a loop of these two trails in the future. There were also nice views of the Grand Mesa from up here, too.


Grand Mesa View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

One more view of Mount Garfield and the Book Cliffs over the Grand Valley as I hiked back down.


Little Book Cliffs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It turns out that my timing was perfect because I ended up getting home just a few minutes before Amanda got home from work.

>> Old Gordon Trail Photo Gallery