The 360°VR photos above start at the
Monument Canyon Trailhead.
From the parking lot, take the trail on the right when you reach the first intersection. (We think it flows best going to the right, at least.) The trail climbs gently and then visibly shoots out toward the canyon, wrapping along a fence and some large boulders briefly.
The trail turns into the canyon and begins climbing steeply. Enjoy the views of the multicolored rock towering above you as you pass through the scrub brush. After the top of the first climb in the canyon, the trail gets a bit rolling, but also harder to follow. If you find yourself wondering, you should never be stepping on grass or in fresh beach-sandy slopes. There is always a visible dirt trail here, but, it can be hard to follow. Be okay with turning around to find it if you lose it.
At the signed intersection near mile 2.5, head left/northeast to continue on the shorter loop. The other trail, Monument Canyon, takes you deeper into the Canyon as an out-and-back. Once you split left, the trail gently winds downward, again giving you sweeping views of massive walls of colorful rock, huge boulders, and Fruita in the distance. When you bottom out some 700ft or so below, follow the fence along residential property and fork right when you hit the initial intersection/sign to arrive back at trailhead.
This route has no water access and no shade, and losing the trail can, at times, be possible.