Grand Junction’s Sunrise Views Are Even Better From This Trail

Grand Junction’s scenic overlooks are a great place to watch the sunrise over the Grand Valley, but if you want a stunning view you can’t find on Rim Rock Drive, I’d recommend the route from the Wildwood Trailhead toward Liberty Cap.

While it’s a 1.5-mile workout with over 1000 feet of gain, views over the Grand Valley gradually open up as you go, creating a sunrise payoff directly across the valley from where the sun clears the horizon.

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Where Exactly Is the Wildwood Trailhead?

Hiking in Grand Junction, Colorado

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The Wildwood Trailhead is accessed from Wildwood Drive in Grand Junction's Redlands area and serves as the lower starting point for Liberty Cap Trail. It's located very close to private property and a few houses. Obey all parking signs and try to avoid excess noise if you arrive before dawn. Always lock your vehicle and do not leave your windows open.

Starting at Wildwood means you are near the valley floor, hiking up toward the top of Monument Mesa. The trail climbs steeply, so the landscape changes as you gain elevation. This means the sunrise is something you experience unfolding around you.

What Makes Liberty Cap So Good at Sunrise?

As hikers climb toward Liberty Cap, the surrounding sandstone landscape and views of the valley become increasingly dramatic. Starting with low morning light can really bring out the texture and colors of the Monument rocks. While the hike is often classified as “hard,” the National Park Service still recognizes it as a particularly appealing hike at sunrise. The top of the trail offers a great line of sight for a sunrise.

Why Sunrise Can Beat Hiking Liberty Cap Later

Hiking in Western Colorado.

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The sunrise views and the cooler morning temps make the Lower Liberty Cap Trail a popular place during the summer months. I salute those who jog this trail all the way to the top and back down again without falling down the Mesa. You will see others on this trail most mornings, but the traffic is usually light. Once you make it to the cap, you can continue on the upper trail toward Otto’s Tub, head down and connect with Ute Canyon, or check out the views on Corkscrew Trail.