I live in the Grand Valley, a wide expanse of western Colorado desert bordered by the canyons and red rock monoliths of the Colorado National Monument to the south; the Grand Mesa (largest mesa in the world), with an elevation of 11,000 feet to the east; and, to the north, the 200 mile long Bookcliff Range. And, as if that weren’t enough, the Colorado River carves a path through this valley on its way to Utah and beyond.
Each of these gems–the desert, the Monument, the Mesa, the river–is a unique portion of my vast backyard into which I can step and lose myself at any time. Early mornings, trail running in the dark. Blazing hot days tempered by a float down the river. Strenuous climbs, with breathtaking views of the valley below. Time in the snowy desert on a sunny winter afternoon. And, like this past weekend, a hike to another world, though it is right there, right out there in my backyard.
What’s in your backyard?
A String of Pearls 
Nov 05, 2013 @ 15:02:36
What a beautiful sky! I love those bright blue sky days. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Nov 05, 2013 @ 15:48:49
You bet! Colorado sky!
Nov 05, 2013 @ 16:14:16
Seeing those great expanses of open space bookmarked on both sides, I’d be forced to cross it. I think I could make it. Have you even walked form one side of those pics to the other?
Nov 05, 2013 @ 18:01:57
Well, no I have not, but I’ve run and walked plenty of miles all around down there. Something to think about…
Nov 05, 2013 @ 16:56:06
Absolutely stunning! My backyard? The parking lot for the Guishan Township Office. haha
Nov 05, 2013 @ 18:03:09
Well, if you’re getting that literal, mine is actually an alley and some pretty run-down houses. 🙂
Nov 05, 2013 @ 18:19:42
Well, I do like the palm trees in front of the office building, and I can see a bit of the mountains over the top of the building. Not sure what the big building is on the top of that next section. Guess I should do some exploring. 😉
Nov 05, 2013 @ 19:23:39
Yes, you should!
Nov 06, 2013 @ 17:12:05
Those pic r pretty incredible…..I was in Denver a couple months ago….it definitely didn’t look that
Nov 06, 2013 @ 17:13:24
*didn’t look that beautiful compared to your part of Colorado
Nov 06, 2013 @ 17:41:06
The Western Slope of the Rockies is a well-kept secret.
Nov 16, 2013 @ 03:58:28
My backyard can’t compare with yours :D. These sights and photos are just breathtaking!!!
Nov 17, 2013 @ 12:52:45
Thank you. This is one tiny portion of what my area has to offer. So many trails just minutes from town. Thanks for commenting.
Jan 11, 2015 @ 12:55:30
I work with the Cross Watershed Network. The network is made to protect and conserve watersheds across the southwest. http://crosswatershed.net
I am making a video to promote the network and was wondering if/ with attribution I could use your great photo of the Grand Junction Valley? Also, please log into the network and join us. Rob