Hiking Lower Monument Canyon Trail to Independence Monument: New Knee, Bad Back, & Old Glory

It's one thing to look down at Independence Monument from Rim Rock Drive. It's something totally different when you're at its base looking up. For the 3rd year in a row I hiked to the base of Independence Monument. The first year was up and back the Lower Monument Canyon trail. Last year I did the loop, first up Wedding Canyon to the monument, then back down Lower Monument Canyon.

This year, with Nancy in tow, we hiked up and back the Lower Monument Canyon trail. Why? It's an easier hike to the base of Independence Monument. The Lower Monument Canyon trail is a developed trail, unlike Wedding Canyon. There's a clearly defined trail with steps and clear trail markings. Although there is still a lot of elevation gain it's not nearly as strenuous as Wedding Canyon with it's skree and rock scrambling.

This was Nancy's longest hike to date. I was surprised she actually completed the hike. But, she did suffer with her back as a result. You can see in one of the videos, towards the end of the hike, her bent over in pain. I think it was the constant downhill going back and the pressure it puts on you legs and back that hurt her so much. I know it took a toll on my new knee. Our total distance hiked was 5.67 miles. That's a lot for someone who is not accustomed to long distance hiking.

My knee, on the other hand, held-up wonderfully. It was sore after the hike and the next day, but during the hike it felt strong. As a matter of fact it felt so strong that I braved the skree at the base of Independence Monument and actually touched the rock face of the monument, some 75 or so feet up.

What got both of us was how hot it got toward the end of the hike. I know I was more than ready to get someplace cool and rest a little. I think we both took something for pain when we got back to the SUV. Would I do it again? Yes! One year I was to hike from the top of Upper Monument Canyon to Independence Monument on to Lower Monument Canyon to the trailhead, a distance of around 6 miles.

At the end of the hike I pondered a thought question: How old was Adam the day after God created him? If God could create Adam to be a certain age could He not also created rock to be a certain age?

As always, for any hike, be prepared. Have the right equipment and supplies. Always check the weather and be prepared. Always pack out what you pack in and PLEASE realize that God's creation does not need your help so do not move or mark on rocks.

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Equipment:
iPhone 13
A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera
Akaso EK7000 Camera
GoPro Hero 9 Black
Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote
onn. Wireless Selfie Stick
Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail
Hiking hat is a Tilley

Music:
Nature Nurture by Quincas Moreira
Natural Light by Chris Haugen
Fresh Fallen Snow by Chris Haugen
Sweethearts by TrackTribe

We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 188,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Casita camper to tow behind it.

Recorded July 5, 2024 entirely on location at Lower Monument Canyon Trail, Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, CO.