Zack Kelly and I began dark and early at 0500 with a motivated drop off from Sam Jordan at Kodel's. It was around 25 degrees, but temperatures climbed to almost 40 with a blue bird sky most of the day. Reached Goldstar trailhead in 3hr 30min and was greeted by Laurie Heiner, who provided aid. She ended up finishing the rest of the run from this point (25ish miles). Otto's Staircase and the Bathtub traverse over to Liberty Cap trail took longer than expect with the snow and route finding. Made it to the top of Liberty Cap trailhead in 5hrs 30min. Aided by Marty Stevens and Jordan McDonald. Traversed the road and dropped into Ute Canyon before traversing more on the social trail over to the Serpents Trailhead parking lot in 7hrs. Aided by Christine Park. No Thoroughfare Canyon was a tough way to finish with good elevation gain and more route finding. Arrived at the pre-parked car, from the evening before, at 16:20.
This is a spectacular route that hits all the major canyons of the Colorado National Monument (Kodel, Fruita Dugway, Lizard, Monument, Wedding, Goldstar, Ute, Red, Columbus and No Thoroughfare Canyon. The trail was 95% already tracked and easy to follow. This route links all the best hikes and beautiful views the Monument in one day.
Garmin was being extra generous, but total time from beginning at the trailhead sign at Kodels to the trailhead sign of No Thoroughfare Canyon (with an extra out and back to Coke Ovens) was 11hrs 21mins 07secs. Roughly 41.25 - 43 total miles. 7k+ feet of gain.