Iron Springs Bench Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Dinosaur National Monument was new to all of us. This park had been added and removed from our itinerary multiple times during the course of planning this trip. It was a last minute re-route through [highly forgettable] Steamboat Springs that ended up bringing us right by the south side of the park.

Iron Springs Bench Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

There are several distinct and separate areas in Dinosaur. The most famous is the one featuring the dinosaur quarry. We spent most of our time along Harpers Corner Drive, a less popular but far more scenic area of the park.

Iron Springs Bench Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Anytime is a Good Time for Bop-It
Harpers Corner, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Whirlpool Canyon
Harpers Corner Trail, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Harpers Corner Drive is a 30 mile spur off of State Highway 40 that dead ends at scenic Harpers Corner. Along the way there are a number of overlooks and trails which provide visitors the opportunity to get out of the car and explore the monument. Harpers Corner trail, at the very end of the road, was our favorite.

Whirlpool Canyon in Black & White
Harpers Corner Trail, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Confluence
Harpers Corner Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

The trail ends at an overlook with an amazing 270 degree view of the monument. Half a mile below us are the Green and Yampa Rivers, which come together at Echo Park, our final destination of the day.

Harpers Corner Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Steamboat Rock
Echo Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

The last rays of sunlight were hitting the tip of Steamboat Rock as we arrived at Echo Park. The drive down to the river was beautiful – and a little nerve-wracking given the steep and narrow character of the “road”. I was most concerned that we would get ourselves caught up in one of the many gullies that cross it. It was close, but we made it across all of them without breaking anything off the back of the camper.

Echo Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Some fellow campers informed us that they had seen a couple bighorn sheep along the river so we set out in search of them. The Boy had been asking to see a bighorn sheep since the second day of our trip. Despite being in several areas that are known for them, we had yet to see one. We didn’t see one on this trail either.

Echo Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Although we couldn’t come up with a bighorn sheep for The Boy, we were able to satisfy one other request: a campfire. Ironically, it took us until our last night of camping to arrive at a place early enough to have time to build one.

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Steamboat Rock By Moonlight
Echo Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

The setting of the sun did not mark the last chance to capture Echo Park under beautiful light. As it happened, the moon was out this evening and it lit up the canyon beautifully. I was out with my tripod while Darla and Lewis slept.

Green River Under the Stars
Echo Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Harpers Corner Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

I was anxious to get back up to Harpers Corner Road before things warmed up – and before there was any chance of meeting another vehicle along the road out of the canyon. We left our campsite before dawn and arrived at back at the top just as the sun was starting to rise. I decided to drive back to Harpers Corner so I could walk back out to the overlook.

Although it was harder to see the color, it was much prettier here at this time of day. Just past the side lit peak in the right of the frame, I could see Steamboat Rock, still in the shadows.

Harpers Corner Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Harpers Corner Trail, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

Echo Park Road
Harpers Corner Drive, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

This view, from Harpers Corner Drive, shows the smoothest, widest section of Echo Park Road. It is also – toward the left edge of the frame – the steepest section. My engine and transmission were both very hot by the time we made it to the top.

Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center
Cub Creek Road, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - August 2009

We spent our final hours in Dinosaur near the now-closed Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center. Visitors are strictly forbidden from crossing the safety netting and peering through the windows. Naturally, we complied…

The temporary visitor center is nothing to write home about – a few exhibits. It’s main attraction, for me at least, was that it provided some shade. It was hot in this area of the park.

We took a little time to explore other sites along Cub Creek Road. Compared to yesterday’s drive, it was unimpressive. We decided to move on to the final stop on our itinerary, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

previous image set: White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
next image set: Flaming Gorge, Utah