Grand Junction, CO: Liberty Cap
Wind across vibrant landscapes cut dramatically by sheer-walled canyons and rising plateaus to a sandstone monolith in Colorado National Monument.
-Mapped by Garryck Hampton
Trail Facts
- Distance: 10.8
Waypoints
LCT001
Location: 39.0556297302246, -108.736801147461
From gravel parking area, head E on Liberty Cap Trail for easy stretch
LCT002
Location: 39.0520782470703, -108.732902526855
Cruise along fl at-topped Monument Mesa, a grassy plateau speckled with stubby junipers and fragrant piñon pines
LCT003
Location: 39.0546684265137, -108.713401794434
Trail drops to S; this is home to one of the few remaining native herds of desert bighorn sheep, so keep an eye out
LCT004
Location: 39.0569000244141, -108.698196411133
Gentle NE descent. Constant panorama of layered, red-walled canyons and towering rock spires
LCT005
Location: 39.0623397827148, -108.69270324707
Continue mesa top traverse to the E
LCT006
Location: 39.0610809326172, -108.682403564453
Reddish canyon hues contrast with dark-green piñon and juniper; head NE, then SE to reach Liberty Cap
LCT007
Location: 39.0572395324707, -108.668182373047
Liberty Cap: This 160-million-year-old fossilized sand dune resembles headwear of freed slaves in ancient Rome. Leave mesa rim; begin switchback descent to the NW
LCT008
Location: 39.059700012207, -108.670700073242
Trail zigs back to E; ahead, continue rocky descent into Grand Valley
LCT009
Location: 39.0588760375977, -108.66756439209
Turn L @ T; head N down the slopes of a grassy bench
LCT010
Location: 39.0674629211426, -108.664085388184
Last stretch is mellow and heads NE through golden grasslands
LCT011
Location: 39.0680770874023, -108.660301208496
Trail ends @ gravel parking lot. Shuttle back or retrace steps to trailhead
Red-walled canyons
Location: 39.0569305419922, -108.6982421875
©Garryck Hampton
Canyon wall
Location: 39.0597953796387, -108.670631408691
©Garryck Hampton
Mesa top views
Location: 39.0610656738281, -108.682495117188
©Garryck Hampton
Liberty Cap
Location: 39.0572242736816, -108.668243408203
©Garryck Hampton
Monument Mesa
Location: 39.0673637390137, -108.663986206055
©Garryck Hampton