One of my standard catalysts for some of the places I visit is simply from driving past a sign for something and thinking, “I should check that out sometime.” So once again, I begin with one of my typical introductions: I had been driving past the sign for Rabbit Valley (Colorado Exit 2 on I-70) for years and years on my way venturing further out west, but had never explored the area at all. As we got ready to float RubyHorsethief Canyon again, I decided to head out to Mesa County a day early for some 100º+ mountain biking at the North Fruita Desert and then over to camp for the night at the Knowles Canyon Overlook, hundreds of feet above the river I’d be rafting on for the next few days.

The views made it completely worth it, but the fact that I didn’t see one other person or car (other than my buddy Mike who came in later) anywhere in the valley, raised it to one of my favorite places I’ve spent the night.