When John Otto first saw the rugged red rock canyons south of Grand Junction in 1906, he felt an instant connection with the spectacular landscape. His efforts succeeded in the designation of the Colorado National Monument.

His predecessor, John Kodel, saw something else in the canyons. He was a hermit prospector who came to Fruita before 1900 and prospected for gold until 1930 in the canyon that now bears his name. Kodels Canyon is the first major canyon west of the west entrance to the Monument.

Bring the kids and dogs, and take a step back in time on this moderate trail full of zigs and zags, washes and slick rock, wildlife, rock climbers and panoramic views of the Grand Valley. The Kodels Canyon trail system has 12 marked trails that are designated K1 through K12. Because of the maze of trails and intersections in this system, getting a map online from the BLM or the Fruita or Grand Junction Visitor Centers is recommended until you are familiar with the area.

The K1 trail provides access to the scenic and historical trek to Kodels Canyon where Kodel built a cabin near its mouth, and mine remnants can be seen farther up the canyon. The distance to the mouth of Kodels Canyon is 3 miles round trip, but add in the hike up to the mine and upper canyon and it’s 4.75 miles. Allow three to four hours to explore the area and add on additional loops and miles from the Kodels trail system.

For Kodels Canyon itself, follow the K1 trail markers south and west in the general direction of the Monument. At the hitching post for horseback riders, hang a left and drop over the hill into the wash that drains out of Kodels Canyon. Continue hiking south up the wash toward the canyon, leaving it only to get around spots where boulders have tumbled across the trail.

At 1.36 miles, the trail leaves the wash and crosses into the Colorado National Monument. Typically, dogs aren’t allowed on trails in the Monument, but this particular entrance isn’t currently signed as such. The trail begins a moderate climb up a grassy hillside to a fork in the trail at 1.5 miles. The short, left spur leads to Kodel’s gold mine surrounded by black granite cliffs. What was once a hard rock mine is now a bat habitat. A metal grate covering the mine’s opening allows bats to fly in and out.

The right fork leads into the upper canyon at a moderate climb before leveling off. A large boulder marks the normal turn-around point at the head of the canyon. This is a great location to look up for the chance to see desert bighorn sheep on cliff outcroppings or rock climbers scaling a prominent pinnacle on the west side of the canyon. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot, or continue on to fun loops in the K1-K12 system.

Winter is a great time to hike this trail, which may be snow-free or have just a dusting to a couple inches. The trails are sandy and well worn; although, because of the vastness of the area, running into other hikers is infrequent. I suggest hiking Kodels during the morning before the sun heats up the hard ground and the trail has the chance to get muddy in spots.

GETTING THERE

Drive south from Fruita on Highway 340. Immediately past the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area turnoff (Kings View Road), there is an unmarked, primitive, dirt parking area on the right. The trailhead is easy to spot. Restrooms are available at Dinosaur Hill located on the opposite side of 340.
The trail may look a little unappealing from the trailhead, but following the initial ascent, you will enjoy vast shapes and contours of Estrada Sandstone and its rosy red and white layers that never disappoint. Beware of the ghost of Kodel, who some thought as half crazy for taking potshots at anyone approaching “his” canyon.

Originally published in the Winter 2023-24 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Take A Hike: Kodels Canyon Trail