How Far Can You See From Colorado’s Grand Mesa?

The Crag Crest National Recreation Trail is my favorite hike on the Grand Mesa. There’s a stretch of trail near the top of the crag where it seems like you can see for at least 100 miles. Turns out, you can probably see even further than that.

We’re breaking down the physics, testing a couple of examples, and pointing out a few things you can see from on top of the World’s Largest Flat-Top Mountain near Grand Junction.

The Basics of How Far You Can See

Read More: 25 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Colorado's Grand Mesa

How far can we really see from the highest overlooks on the Grand Mesa? It's a matter of doing a little geometry. Despite the formula, Mother Nature can still affect the outcome with four intangibles.

• d≈√2hR (distance-to-horizon formula)
• d = distance to the horizon
• h = your height above sea level (in meters)
• R = radius of Earth (~6,371 km or ~3,959 miles)

• Curve: Since the planet is round, our line of sight eventually meets the horizon. The higher you go, the further the horizon is. At an elevation of 10,500 feet (like the Grand Mesa rim), your horizon is more than 100 miles away on a perfect blue-sky day.
• Air Quality: Regardless of the math, haze, dust, wildfire smoke, and even humidity can considerably limit potential distance. Most days in Grand Junction, the National Weather Service lists visibility around 7 or 8 miles. It's likely dozens of miles on crystal-clear days.
• Height: How tall is the feature you are looking at? Mount Peale in the La Sal Mountains stands at 12,726 feet and sticks up enough that you can see it against the horizon line. This is why both the La Sal and San Juan Mountains are visible from on top of Grand Mesa.
• Sunlight and Vision: A mountain might be within your line of sight, but you still need the right conditions to pick it out. The time of day, amount of sunlight, and eye fatigue can hide mountains that might be in plain sight.

Peaks & Landmarks Seen from Grand Mesa

From the Grand Mesa rim at 10,500 feet, the horizon is about 125 to 135 miles away. The following overlooks offer several features visible on a clear day.

• Land’s End Observatory (10,500 ft): North: Book Cliffs, South: San Juan Mountains, West: La Sal Mountains.
• Crag Crest (11,200 ft): North: Book Cliffs & Roan Plateau, East: West Elk Mountains, South: San Miguel, San Juan, and La Plata Mountains.
• Land of Lakes Overlook (10,741 ft): Elk Mountains (Capitol Peak 14,130 ft, Snowmass 14,092 ft), Alpine lakes, Grand Valley/Mount Garfield.

Tips for Maximizing Visibility from Grand Mesa

The best days on top of Grand Mesa feature clear blue sky. Early morning or late afternoon will offer the most low-angle light. Remember to bring binoculars, telescopes, or a zoom camera. Mesa rim overlooks, the Lands End Observatory, and the top of the Crag Crest National Recreation Trail are the most accessible places with the best view. Remember not to feed the wildlife while you are up there.

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