Colorado · National Monument trail

Sound of Silence Trail Stop 12

in Colorado

This spot provides a place to rest, rejuvenate, and cool down before climbing the rocky ridge ahead. Solitude and refuge are two things that national parks and monuments offer. These are places to reflect, learn, and experience nature.

Also protected are other qualities such as dark night skies and natural quiet — rare commodities in cities where many of us live. Growing around you on the slope are Utah junipers. The most common tree species in Utah, it covers one-fifth of the land area of the state.

It seems like they can grow nearly anywhere, even out of solid rock. Their roots are the secret. A massive system that makes up 2/3 of the tree’s total mass, the tap root can be 25 feet deep and lateral roots may extend out 100 feet.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 139 mi · ~4 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.4454°, -109.2760°

About Dinosaur National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside Dinosaur National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/sound-of-silence-trail-stop-12.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Sound of Silence Trail Stop 12 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.