Colorado National Monument National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Visitor Guide Colorado National Monument 1911 ~ 2011 Celebrating 100 Years Colorado National Monument has begun the countdown to our 100th anniversary. The Monument’s Centennial will be commemorated and celebrated throughout 2011, with a wide range of public events, special exhibits, seminars, community contests, and other Centennial related activities. For more information, please see page 4 or visit: www.nps.gov/colm. One Man’s Vision: John Otto’s Enduring Legacy “There is nothing little about Colorado Continues 100 Years Later National Monument. I am sure we will ohn Otto, Colorado found these canyons, and they have inhabited this area for get it to the front someday and all the National Monument’s feel like the heart of the world 10,000 years. The first human people of the country first custodian, arrived to me. I’m going to stay and visitors did not come here Jin Western Colorado to build trails and promote this for recreation, but for food will be talking about it, and the travelers of the world will want work on the Fruita pipeline. place, because it should be a and shelter. They had a deep to come to see it, and none of them will be When he saw the rugged national park.” understanding of the plants, disappointed.” redrock canyons south of It was largely through Otto’s the birds, the rocks, and the – John Otto 1911, first park custodian Grand Junction, it was love at efforts that this place was animals. They were in awe first sight. In 1907 he wrote set aside as the 2nd national of this place as it was their “I came here last year and monument in Colorado and key to physical survival. They the 25th unit of the National unearthed its secrets to find Park System. He spearheaded water and to locate food. fundraising campaigns, Today we come here for collected signatures for nourishment too – not for petitions, penned newspaper food, but for inspiration, editorials, and wrote letters knowledge, memories, and for to Washington politicians in spiritual renewal. support of national recognition Over the past 100 years, for the ancient canyons and since Colorado National towering monoliths of his Monument was established, adopted home. His enthusiasm millions of people, following was contagious and many in the footsteps of the earliest others joined him in his visitors, have traveled here efforts. Finally on May 24, to take in the breathtaking 1911, President Taft signed the scenery and have left with proclamation that established lifelong memories. Colorado National Monument. May your visit here be a But as we celebrate Otto’s remarkable experience, and achievements this year, may your spirit be refreshed. bear in mind that Otto did not “discover” Colorado National Monument. Humans Plan Your Visit . Page 2 Monumental Timeline . .Page 4 & 5 Area Information . .Page 8 What's Hiking Safety Tips . Page 2 CCC Legacy . Page 5 Tunnel Safety . .Page 8 inside Be a Junior Ranger! . Page 3 Ancient Fossil Discoveries . Page 6 Join the Colorado National Crossword Puzzle . Page 3 Don't Bust the Crust! . Page 6 Monument Association . .Page 8 Rocky Road Ahead . Page 3 Your Fee Dollars . Page 6 Weather & Climate . .Page 8 Bicycling Safety . Page 3 Watchable Wildlife . Page 6 Treasures @ Visitor Center Store . .Page 8 Centennial Schedule of Events . Page 4 Ranger Picks: Driving, Biking & Hiking . Page 7 Welcome! Plan Your Visit… Kurtzman . A . Photo © R © Photo Monument Canyon Monument Canyon Visitor Center For information, orientation, maps, books, • No electric hookups, showers, or wood campfires. and free handouts, the visitor center is a • Two accessible sites are available. good place to start your adventure. From there, you can explore the exhibit Ranger Programs room, access three trailheads, and enjoy Guided walks and porch talks are offered daily scenic views. Don't miss the 12 minute during the summer. Topics include geology, wildlife, geology and introductory videos — both ecology, and history. Program schedules are posted shown upon request. at the visitor center, the campground, and on the The Colorado National Monument website: www.nps.gov/colm Association store sells a variety of educational and interpretive items as well Accessibility as monument-related gifts such as T-shirts • Accessible Picnic Areas: and hats. The visitor center is open every The visitor center and Devils Kitchen Picnic Areas day, except December 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the • Accessible restrooms: summer. Set aside 45 minutes for this stop. The visitor center, Saddlehorn Campground, and Devils Kitchen Picnic Area. Picnicking • Accessible overlooks: There are three picnic areas: (1) adjacent Independence Monument View, Cold Shivers to the visitor center, (2) near Saddlehorn Point and Book Cliffs View. Campground, and (3) at the Devils Kitchen Additional information is on the website: Devils Kitchen above, Otto's Trail below Picnic Area. All have tables, water, and www.nps.gov/colm restrooms. The visitor center and Devils Kitchen Picnic Areas have shade shelters. Pets Pets are allowed only in parking lots or in the Camping campground. They must be on a leash at all times. Saddlehorn Campground, located near the Pets are not permitted on trails or in the visitor visitor center, has 80 first come, first served center. Ask us for a map of pet-friendly areas. sites. Open year round. Warning! Do not leave pets in vehicles during hot summer temperatures. • The self-registration kiosk is located at the campground entrance. Backcountry Camping • The camping fee is in addition to the monument entrance fee; the fee is $20.00 A backcountry permit is required. Obtain the free per night with two cars, three tents, and a permit at the visitor center. NO water exists in the seven person per site limit. backcountry! Potable water is available at the visitor center. • Recreational vehicles have a length limit of 40 feet. Restrooms • Restrooms have flush toilets and potable water. Restrooms are located at the visitor center, campground, Saddlehorn Picnic Area and Devils • Sites include a picnic table and charcoal- Kitchen Picnic Area. For current info and event only grill. schedules: www.nps.gov/colm Colorado National Monument Visitor Guide is published by the Colorado National Monument • Watch your step and your children at overlooks, along Association . canyon rims, and by steep drop-offs . Photo credits: Seth Anderson, Sally Bellacqua, Hiking • Carry a sufficient amount of water for this hot desert Colorado Historical Society, Walt Fite, Safety Tips climate . Use sunscreen . Wear sturdy footwear and a hat . R .A . Kurtzman, Paul Meyer, and NPS WARNING! • Biting gnats can be a problem from May to August . Contributors: NPS and CNMA staff STEEP CLIFFS Bring insect repellent . Designer: Amy Nuernberg • Watch where you put your feet and hands . You share Colorado National Monument contains rugged the land with rattlesnakes and scorpions . The CNMA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and remote landscapes: that uses proceeds from its store to support • From April through July, seasonal pools may exist in interpretive and educational programs at the • Always be prepared by carrying a map, compass, the canyon bottoms . Please do not enter these pools . Colorado National Monument . PH 970-858-3617, extra water, food, first aid kit, and extra clothing . Sunscreens and lotions pollute these ephemeral waters ext . 360; www .coloradonma .org • Be sure you tell someone where you’re going and that are important to wildlife . Printed on recycled paper with when you expect to return . • Avoid ridge tops and open ground during lightning vegetable-based inks . • Cell phone service is not reliable . storms . 2 Become a Junior Ranger! ey kids! Head up to the visitor center and ask for a free Junior Ranger activity booklet. How about a What Can Kids Do Here? hike to explore the incredible red rock canyons and X Explore with the Junior Ranger backpack. Hmonoliths or to learn about our amazing animals, plants, and X Look a desert bighorn sheep in the eye. rocks? There are three wonderful hikes right outside the visitor center, and the Junior Ranger activity booklet has plenty of X Look for animal tracks or scat. great ways to investigate this beautiful red rock country. X Spot a lizard doing push-ups. While at the visitor center, you can borrow the Junior Ranger X Take your parents camping. explorer backpack (available for four-hour loans). The pack is full of tools like binoculars, magnifying glasses, and field X Attend a ranger program. guides to help sharpen your observation skills. It’s a great kit X Become a Junior Ranger. to use on your hike as you work toward earning your Junior X Ranger badge. Ask a ranger a question. The Junior Ranger program is designed for children ages 5 X Watch a video. to 12, but any age can become a Junior Ranger! Once you've X Take a hike. completed the booklet, take it to the visitor center to receive your official Junior Ranger badge and certificate. You and your family can borrow this Official Junior Ranger backpack at the visitor center and start your exploration! Available for a four-hour loan, and it's free! Historic Crossword Puzzle Across 2 . American Indians who once lived in this area . 4 . Four mile trail on the east side of the Monument that served as a toll road for ranchers bringing their cattle to Grand Junction 7 . This Act created the National Park Service in 1916 . 8 . The Monument's 23 mile road opened in 1950 . 10 . John Otto climbed this large monolith in 1911 to fly the American flag on Independence Day .