Adder Canyon

Three free-hanging rappels in rapid fire succession followed by a short down-climbing section to the top of a 400 foot slab and finishing with a seasonal water slide, combined with soaring views of the valley below with the Bookcliffs as the backdrop make for a rewarding and relaxing half-day trip. On the first descent we used retrievable anchors on the last two rappels. NOTE: the penultimate rappel can be done with a 200 foot rope if you bring webbing to sling the tree and extend the webbing 10 feet. If you are doing a retrievable you will need a 220 foot rope. Bring a carpet sample to protect rope on the free hanging rappels.

Park at the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area parking lot and hike, scramble, or shuttle: A) Hike a short distance to the start of the wide, well-maintained and easy grade Serpents Trail. When the Serpent's Trail ends at Monument Road, walk the road for about 500ft until it is possible to walk the slickrock on the right and get off the shoulder for safety. Head west around the head of Serpents Canyon. Follow the single power line northeast ~1200ft to the head of Adder Canyon. B) Scramble up the side canyon to intersect with the Serpents Trail higher up. Hike up the faint use-trail just behind and left of the ladies bathroom. There is one 5.5 move up a crack RUC. Send the best climber first and belay the others. Connect with the Serpents Trail. C) Drive uphill from the Devil's Kitchen parking turn offs on Monument Road and drop a shuttle vehicle 3 miles up the switchbacks and through the tunnel to the top of the Monument. Park at (39.03319, -108.65056), which is the start of a flat, straight part of the road before the Cold Shivers pull out. Mileage for Adder listed here assumes the car shuttle.

Stay in the middle of the dry falls for the most impressive drops into deep alcoves. 39.03657, -108.64522 39.03674. -108.64496 Low angle slab rappel 39.03748, -108.64311

Stay in the watercourse until you get to the bottom of the mostly dry waterslide. When you are nearly in someone's backyard, head right on the well-worn but intermittent trail back to Monument Road and then a 5 minute walk up the road.