Last Update: 05/17/2008

Colorado National Monument and Grand Mesa Loop ~210 miles

[click map for larger view]

I highly recommend that you do this loop with Colorado National Monument in the morning and Grand Mesa in the afternoon. It can get very hot at the Monument, so in the morning it will be cooler, plus the sun will be to your back for better photography of the monument and will also not be in your eyes. Grand Mesa is at a much higher elevation and will be cooler in the heat of the afternoon. This trip provides for some gorgeous riding along the rim of the Colorado National Monument (admission required), riding high above amazing rock formations with the Grand (Colorado) River Valley below. Grand Mesa provides an amazing contrast to the Monument, with lots of trees and several lakes. See a couple of parts of Colorado that most people miss!

GPS Data Files:

[NOTE: After downloading these files to your computer, you need to re-calculate the route in MapSource or your software before transferring them to your GPS.]

	Click here to download a Garmin GPS data file with all Montrose Routes and Waypoints (should work in most Garmin GPS units, but you will probably have to have the GPS recalculate the route using these points)
	Click here to download an iWay GPS data file with all Montrose Routes and Waypoints (courtesy of Jon)
	Click here to download a GPS Exchange data file with all Montrose Routes and Waypoints (should work in most GPS units, but you will probably have to have the GPS recalculate the route using these points)

US-50 west to Grand Junction ~62 miles

Mostly 4-lane with some sweepers

Left on CO-340 for about one mile to Glade Park Road

Left on Glade Park Road to Colorado National Monument (entry fee) and the Rim Drive to Fruita ~30 miles

One of Colorado's more hidden spots as most folks just whip through Grand Junction on I-70; Colorado National Monument provides unique views of Red Rock erosion and views of the Grand Valley below (once upon a time this was the Grand vs. Colorado river); the Rim Drive is a nice, slow road with lots of twisties; be sure to sop at the visitor center.

Colorado National Monument (National Park Service)

Colorado National Monument Map (detailed)

I-70 east to CO-65 ~30 miles

You might want to stop at the Horizon Drive exit in Grand Junction for a bite of lunch; several restaurants are readily available.

CO-65 south/east riding some twisties and sweepers, then climbing to the top of Grand Mesa, then dropping down into Cedaredge to CO-92 ~55miles

Grand Mesa is another one of Colorado's more hidden spots and is the largest flat-top mesa in the world. It will be much cooler at the top, which you will undoubtedly appreciate; take a side trip to the Grand Mesa Lodge and enjoy some of the sights in this area, eventually dropping down through the town of Cedaredge.

Colorado Scenic Byways Grand Mesa

CO-92 west/right to Delta and US-50 ~4 miles

US-50 back to Montrose ~22 miles

A Few Photos From This Ride