Independence+Monument+1A

In the Colrado National Monument, there stands a 450-foot statue made by nature. This is named Independence Monument. It has a special tradition, made byJohn Otto. John Otto was the first to hike all the way up this peak. After that, a very special tradition was born. Every Independence Day, many Grand Junction citizens climb this monument, straight to the top.
 * Independence Monument **

The Independence Monument is built of soft sandstone rock called Chinle that erodes easily. It began as a solid wall between Monument and Wedding Canyons. The cap rock of the monument is a type of rock called the Kayenta formation, which is made of mud, sand, and gravel that protects the soft rock of the monument. Without the cap rock water, wind, and ice will erode away.

Independence Monument was weathered and eroded by water, wind, and ice. Independence monument rests on shaky ground so if there are loose rocks they fall off and the monument just gets smaller//.// Independence monument use to be a huge wall separating monument and wedding canyon until weathering and erosion got to the wall and broke it down. Now independence monument is the last standing part of that wall. Until today independence monument still stands through the battering of weathering and erosion.