Just off I-70, Colorado's magnificent Colorado National Monument

Erosion has carved the dramatic landscape here on the flanks of the eastern boundary of the Colorado Plateau near Grand Junction, Colorado. Steep-walled canyons cut into the plateau, their sides revealing striations of color also visible on the monoliths that loom above canyon floors. Terra cotta, sienna, rust: the spectrum of the sandstone runs through variants of brown with red and orange undertones. The name “Colorado” -- Spanish for “ruddy” or “red” -- suits this national park, where stubbles of green provided by the pinyon and juniper trees that grow below and on top of the plateaus complements the geologic hues.

According to Joan Anzelmo, superintendent of Colorado National Monument, "The name, Colorado National Monument, does not begin to describe the hidden paradise of red rock canyons and sandstone monoliths that parallel the Interstate 70 corridor stretching from Grand Junction to Fruita. It is absolutely worthwhile to get off of I-70 and take the historic Rim Rock Drive to the inner reaches of Colorado National Monument. The monument turns 100 years old in 2011.

In some respects, Colorado National Monument is a place of extremes. The sky shows off its enormity, the rock formations their height and strength. Visitors can follow “the Crookedest Road in the World” (the park’s Serpents Trail) and eat lunch in Devils Kitchen (site of a picnic area) while remaining in a hiker’s paradise.

The park offers a number of trails, which accommodate hikers seeking different degrees of challenge. Bike rides and auto tours on Rim Rock Drive afford more ways to see the park, which can be experienced tactilely as well as visually by rock climbers. Camping in the monument’s Saddlehorn Campground (80 primitive sites, RVs up to 40 feet, $10 fee) allows visitors to immerse themselves in this rugged yet serene national park. Or if they wish, at night they can stare out at the city lights of Grand Junction in the valley far below.

Every November, runners come to Colorado National Monument to compete in the 26.2 mile Rim Rock Marathon, a race across the entire length of the monument's Rim Rock Drive. The race is one of the longest through any National Park Service site.