Independence Monument (Colorado)


Independence Monument is a sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. This iconic 450-foot-high landmark is situated one mile southeast of the monument's visitor center, and west of the community of Grand Junction, where it towers above the floor of Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon. It is a popular climbing destination, and can be seen from Rim Rock Drive.

History

John Otto first arrived in the Grand Junction area in 1906. He lived alone in the canyons and used a pick and shovel to carve out trails. Otto is remembered as Colorado National Monument's founder, and its first custodian. A fervent patriot, he named the rock features after great heroes and historic events, with Independence Monument still bearing the name he bestowed.
John Otto made the first ascent of Independence Monument on June 14, 1911, flying Old Glory from the summit for Flag Day. That flag was presented to Otto by President William Howard Taft. Subsequently, he would make the ascent on July 4 each year to again display the flag to celebrate Independence Day, although his method differed from contemporary rock climbing. His method involved drilling holes and pounding in pieces of pipe to create a ladder. The pipes Otto attached were removed in the mid-1950s by the Park Service, but handholds and steps which he carved into the sandstone remain. John Otto married Boston artist Beatrice Farnham on June 20, 1911, at the base of Independence Monument in Wedding Canyon.
It has become an annual tradition among climbers to raise the flag on the summit on July 4 each year.

Climbing

Established rock climbing routes on Independence Monument:Otto's Route – – 5 pitches – First Ascent 1911 Independence Chimney – class 5.8 – 6 pitches – FA 1970 South Face Direct – class 5.9 – 5 pitches – FA 1971 Sundial Dihedral – class 5.11b – 6 pitches – FA 1986 Dependence – class 5.10+ – 5 pitches – FA 1994 Geezer Highway – class 5.9+ – 6 pitches

Geology

This monolith is the remnant of a differentially eroded fin composed primarily of cliff-forming Wingate Sandstone, which consists of wind-borne, cross-bedded quartzose sandstones deposited as ancient sand dunes approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. The thin caprock at the summit consists of fluvial sandstones of the resistant Kayenta Formation. The slope around the base of the Independence Monument is Chinle Formation. The floor of the canyon is Precambrian basement rock consisting of gneiss, schist, and granites. Precipitation runoff from this geographical feature drains to the Colorado River, approximately two miles to the northeast.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Independence Monument is located in a semi-arid climate zone. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold with some snow. Temperatures reach on 5.3 days, on 57 days, and remain at or below freezing on 13 days annually. The months April through October offer the most favorable weather to visit.