Four Corners, AZ/CO/NM/UT (7-2-08) - dwhike

Four Corners Monument

Four Corners, AZ/CO/NM/UT (7-2-08)

Four Corners...what can I say? Not worth a drive across the country perhaps but being in the area we had to go. We made the half hour drive from Cortez and made it shortly before sunset. What an amazing place the southwest is at this time of the day! The drive out to the corners was beautiful and added something to the uniqueness of the place. We each did the tourist thing and stood (or, in my case, sat) in all four states at once and added two more states to our growing list of first-time state visits for our trip. A very cool little piece of roadside Americana...

Mileage Hiked: 0.5 miles Trailhead Temp: 85'F Min. Elevation: 4,950' Max Elevation: 4,950'

Directions to Park Entrance: -Four Corners Monument is located off US-160 about 6 miles north of US-64 in Teec Nos Pos, AZ or 19 miles south of its junction with US-491 south of Cortez, CO.

US-491
Storms sweep the desert plains to the south, in New Mexico...
US-160
This was a very stark, isolated corner of the country...
US-160
Trees in the valley mark a small stream as we near the Four Corners over the next rise...
Colorado-New Mexico Border (US-160)
Welcome to New Mexico!!!
Four Corners Monument - Entrance
Entering Four Corners Monument...
Four Corners Monument - Visitor Center
The Four Corners lies on the land of the Navajo Nation, this is the visitors center that gives good info on the area...
Four Corners Monument
Four Corners Monument
Four Corners Monument
Looking At Four States...
Four Corners Monument
Standing in four states at once...
Four Corners Monument
Sitting in four states at once...
Four Corners Monument - Arizona View
The sweeping view into Arizona from the Four Corners...
Four Corners Monument - Utah View
The view into Utah from the Four Corners...
Four Corners Monument - Colorado View
Looking into Colorado from the Four Corners with Ute Mountain in the distance...
Four Corners Monument - New Mexico View
The view into New Mexico left something to be desired...
Four Corners Monument
Looking back towards the entrance station at Four Corners...
Four Corners Monument - Souvenir Stands
Small shacks housed native americans selling native "gifts." Due to the late hour many were already closed up...
Four Corners Monument
Another look towrds the monument...
Four Corners Monument - Shiprock View
The lone spire in the distance is Shiprock, New Mexico...
US-160
The setting sun created wonderful colors on the landscape...
US-160
A dry creek bed crossing on the way back to Cortez from the Four Corners...
US-491
Storm clouds were hanging over Ute Mountain (9,978') to the north...
Chimney Rock
This chimney-like tower of rock sits near the junction of US-160 & US-160 about 20 miles east of the Four Corners. It sits on Ute Tribal Land and "No Tresspassing" signs were everywhere...
US-491
The setting desert sun as we made our way back to the hotel in Cortez...