Colorado images - page 6 of 9

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Colorado National Monument - Fruita, Colorado
July 4, 2012
page 3 of 3

A view from Artist's Point (Seems to resembles a sculpture in the rock to me.)
[A wall of rock with vertical bands of color ranging from light pink to dark brown. Amid this are parts of the wall worn away and look almost like a grouping of people.]

These rock formations are called Coke Ovens due to their supposed resemblance to coke ovens. (They were originally called Haystacks which I think is more accurate.)
[Side by side tall mounds of rock which were once a solid wall.]

Close-up view of the right-most ledge in the prior photo leading to the Coke Ovens.
[Several people lean against a railing around one edge of a tall rock wall.]

Dog's Tooth section of roadway (This part of Rim Rock Drive weaves back and forth and then exits the park at Grand Junction.)
[Canyons walls from a distance appear they will cross each other but the roadway can be seen to go around and through this area. Two photos were stitched together to create this view.]

View at top of Upper Serpents Trail (Serpents trail was the original 'road' in the park.)
[Two photos stitched together showing a drop into a valley. One can see for miles to the Book Cliffs in the far distance.]

This is what I saw after a short walk from the top of Upper Serpents Trail. Rain and clouds caused the sky and ground to be different colors.
[Approximately 6 photos stitched together showing the vast expanse of canyons. On the left is a round section of land with specks of buildings and trees (only specks can be seen from this distance). The shades in the blue sky vary from light to dark depending upon the location of the rain.]

Tree at the Distance View observation point
[A two trunked tree with one section extending upward and the other extending at a 45 degree angle to the right. Lots of branches and leaves make this a lush specimen.]

A quite colorful Hopi Chipmunk
[A multi-colored (white, black, brown, and orangish furred) chipmunk sitting on its hind legs on a log eating a nut.]

Interesting looking and quite powerfully scented cones
[Closeup of completely green cones on an evergreen tree.]

I found the trees growing at the top just as interesting a the opening in the rock.
[Portion of rock wearing away (looks like a window in the rock) which would probably create a 'coke oven' in the future. A tree grows right at the top of the crack leading to the window.]

Continue to Burlington, Colorado photos. (page 7 of 9)

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All photos © S. M. Garver