Scenic Lower Monument Canyon Loop via Wedding Canyon Trail

Lower Monument Canyon Loop is a scenic hike that showcases towering monoliths among gorgeous canyon scenery. And an added bonus, this area has frequent bighorn sheep sightings. From Lower Monument Trailhead, Monument Canyon Trail and Wedding Canyon Trail can be combined to create this gorgeous loop. This hike explores a scenic area of the huge impressive canyon and defining feature of Colorado National Monument.

Lower Monument Trailhead is technically not within Colorado National Monument so access is free even though almost the entire trail is within the monument. This is an awesome opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery via a simple day hike, free of charge. Find out more about hiking Lower Monument Canyon Loop – let’s go!

Quick Info: Hiking Monument and Wedding Canyon Loop

Distance: 4.5 mile loop

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Directions: Click here to get directions to Lower Monument Trailhead

Know Before You Go: The hike is pretty exposed so bring plenty of water.

Our Experience Hiking Lower Monument Canyon Loop

When we arrived at Lower Monument Trailhead, the parking area was almost full. This is a popular trail in the area and for good reason.

Shortly after we began our hike we reached the intersection. Here we decided to follow the “unimproved” Wedding Canyon Trail first so we would complete the loop counter-clockwise.

Wedding Canyon Trail

Wedding Canyon Trail starts out pretty mellow but already promising to be a scenic hike. But first, the trail follows a tall fence and passes numerous residences before turning into Wedding Canyon.

This is when the trail begins to skirt along Wingate Cliff continuing to climb, dip and curve its way through scenic Wedding Canyon. This section of the loop reveals the dramatic cliffs of the larger canyon and exposes towering monoliths in the distance.

Along the way, the scenery is beautiful – red rock mixed with juniper and blooming cacti – as it approaches Independence Monument.

Hike it Later – Pin it Now

Once at the intersection, Independence Monument towers above and other monoliths stand out in the dramatic canyon landscape. It was a beautiful sight!

After taking in the scenery, we picked up the trail towards Lower Monument trailhead to complete the Lower Monument Canyon Loop.

Lower Monument Trail

Once we began hiking the Lower Monument Trail section of the loop, the trail bends revealing new canyon views. From here we could see far into the depths of Monument Canyon.

As the trail continues circling along the Lower Monument Canyon loop, the scenery remains beautiful. The red dirt path passes through red boulders and junipers towards civilization in the distance.

The highlight of this side of the loop for us was when we spotted three bighorn sheep. And one of them was an adorable baby!

We continued following the trail as it led out of the dramatic canyon towards the residential area. To wrap up the hike, the trail follows along a tall fence with houses on the other side back to the Lower Monument trailhead parking area.

Thanks for Reading!

Hiking Lower Monument Canyon loop was a great adventure! The scenery was incredible and we love loop hikes so it was a win win. If you’d like to read about more of our hiking adventures, check out the links below:

• Hiking Teocalli Peak
• Big Loop Hike in Chiricahua National Monument
• Backpacking in Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Waterfall Adventure on the North Yuba River

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