Camping with Paul in the Wilderness

Camping in the wilderness is my favorite thing to do, if you're not into it then check out my site and do get into it.

The reigning champion of back packing stoves is the Trailstove. It's so primitive and so simple, and that's what makes it so great. It's a wood burning stove that weighs less than a pound, way less than any stove on the market if you include the weight of fuel. Its only drawback is the slower cooking speed, you have to spend an extra minute or two to get your water to boil but so what?

CAMPING STOVE

First aid kits are great to have if someone gets hurt.

MEDICAL KIT

You only go camping without mosquito coils once.

BUG PROTECTION

It's a good idea to pack a roll of duct tape. You can fix everything with duct tape, make sure you always have some with you.

DUCT TAPE

Warm enough sleeping bags for the coldest possible weather to accommodate all the people you're bringing.

SLEEPING BAG

I haven't made my mind up yet if I like Leatherman tools better than Swiss army knives. Leatherman tools are better for big stuff while Swiss army knives are better for more detailed work.

TOOL

Pick a spot where animals have an easy time passing by surrounded by natural obstacles where they would have a hard time passing through and where there is a small tree.

Find a piece of wood about an inch in diameter and a few inches long, cut a notch in it.

Find another piece of wood also about an inch in diameter but about a foot long. Cut a notch in this piece of wood too close to one end. Sharpen the other end of this stick, the notches on the two pieces should be such that they fit in each other and can take a good amount of pull along their axis but let go easily if the smaller stick is pushed sideways.

Make a lasso type knot on the string you will use and tie the string to the shorter stick in such a way that the lasso reaches the stick when open.
Bang the sharp end of the longer stick into the ground with a rock.

Tie the rope to the tree at an appropriate height and with an appropriate length of string. You may need to adjust this later to get it right.
Hook the notch of the short stick to the notch of the long stick.

Check your snares often since an animal may be able to escape, if you want you can attach some type of noise maker that goes off when an animal gets pulled up in the air. It's very important that you beat the animal to death before you take it out of the snare since they will bite you if they get a chance.

Colorado National Monument

Established May 24, 1911, and on 20,453.93 acres, Colorado National Monument consists of geologic features including: towering red sandstone monoliths, deep, sheer-walled canyons, and a variety of wildlife (bighorn sheep, golden eagles, mule deer and mountain lions)

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Park is open 24 hours a day. The Visitor Center is open every day, except Christmas. Visitor Center winter hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Getting There
PLANE - Grand Junction Airport: Sky West, United Express, and America West.

CAR - East to West: Highway I-70 to Grand Junction, exit at Horizon Drive, Exit 31 to East Entrance. West to East: Highway I-70 to Fruita, Colorado, Exit 19 to West Entrance.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Tour bus service available. Contact Grand Junction Visitor and Convention bureau for more information. Amtrack provides services to Grand Junction every day.

Weather & Climate
Summers are hot and dry, 80 degrees to 100 degrees. Winters are mild, 20 degrees to 45 degrees.

Accessibility
The Visitor Center is accessible, as well as one campsite in the campground, three overlooks, and Devils Kitchen picnic area on the East side of the Monument.

Getting Around
The main road is historic Rim Rock Drive, consisting of 23 miles of paved road. Also available is one nature trail and 13 backcountry trails (various lengths), elevation 4,700' to 7,028'.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
BICYCLE
$3.00 for 7 Days

INDIVIDUAL
$3.00 for 7 Days

PRIVATE VEHICLE
$5.00 for 7 Days

Local Passport
COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT ANNUAL PASS
$15.00 for Annual

CAMPING

Saddlehorn Campground
Open All Year
Eighty site campground. It has restrooms with flush toilets and sink only, drinking water, charcoal grills only, and picnic tables. No wood fires allowed. In winter, there is no water available. Camping fees are charged year-round at $10.00 per site. A maximum of 7 people per site is allowed.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Phone - 970-858-3617
Location - The Visitor Center is located 4 miles up from the West Entrance.
Closures - The Visitor Center is closed on Christmas day.
Special Programs - A 12-minute audiovisual program is available.
Exhibits - There are several exhibits in the Visitor Center.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, and a bookstore managed by Colorado National Monument Association.

The reigning champion of back packing stoves is the Trailstove. It's so primitive and so simple, and that's what makes it so great. It's a wood burning stove that weighs less than a pound, way less than any stove on the market if you include the weight of fuel. Its only drawback is the slower cooking speed, you have to spend an extra minute or two to get your water to boil but so what?		CAMPING STOVE
First aid kits are great to have if someone gets hurt.		MEDICAL KIT
You only go camping without mosquito coils once.		BUG PROTECTION
It's a good idea to pack a roll of duct tape. You can fix everything with duct tape, make sure you always have some with you.		DUCT TAPE
Warm enough sleeping bags for the coldest possible weather to accommodate all the people you're bringing.		SLEEPING BAG
I haven't made my mind up yet if I like Leatherman tools better than Swiss army knives. Leatherman tools are better for big stuff while Swiss army knives are better for more detailed work.		TOOL