DIRECTIONS:

This hike begins at the Devil’s Kitchen Trailhead, just inside the Monument’s East entrance. From Grand Junction head out of town southwest on CO Hwy 340 (Broadway) as it crosses over the Colorado River. Turn south on Monument Road and follow it all the way to the entrance.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

Echo Canyon is tucked away along the southern boundary of the park but shouldn’t be overlooked. The hike is short at 3 miles roundtrip but packs in a lot of amazing desert canyon scenery. The hike has two main components. The first half traverses the desert environment of the Devil’s Kitchen/No Thoroughfare Canyon area; the second half of the hike follows a dry creek bed through Echo Canyon. The hike ends at a sheer cliff face with a seasonal waterfall and small pond. The entire hike is beautiful and serene.

The trailhead has some parking but this is a popular area so you may need to park up at the Devil’s Canyon Picnic Area and hike the 1,000 feet or so trail to the trailhead. Start the hike off on the Devil’s Kitchen Trail and turn at the Junction onto the Old Gordon Trail. There are trail signs at the junctions so follow the way to Echo Canyon. The Old Gordon Trail gives you a great view to the west of No Thoroughfare Canyon. At the next junction turn left onto the Echo Canyon Trail. The trail rises gently across a massive slab of slickrock, follow the cairns, then descends to Echo Canyon.

From this point on, the hike follows Echo Canyon. The hiking is relatively easy and the canyon is beautiful. In the spring the vegetation is lush and forms a stark contrast to the red canyon walls. As you hike, the canyon walls get larger and more impressive. The canyon opens up a bit as you go but narrows as you reach the end of the canyon. The end is immediately apparent as the canyon walls close in and connect at a beautiful amphitheater. If you are luck the waterfall will be trickling but don’t count on it. A small pool at the base of the wall is evidence that this is an active waterfall, just not very active. This is the perfect spot to rest and take in the desert beauty. The hike back follows the same route and while mostly uphill, is never too steep or difficult.

Echo Canyon is possible the least visited canyon in the Monument, but also one of the most pleasant. I visited the Monument on a busy spring afternoon and had to park in the overflow parking but I still had the entire canyon to myself. This is the perfect hike for a quick visit to the park or a good half day activity while you explore all that Colorado National Monument has to offer.