Serpent's Canyon

A short but fun canyon in the Colorado National Monument with free-hang rappels. The Poison Ivy (supposedly) grows thick in summer so beware. Three of the rappels land in possible Poison Ivy patches. In winter and early spring it is easily avoidable.

Shortly after passing through the East Entrance to the Colorado National Monument, leave a Shuttle return vehicle at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area or at the Trailhead parking along the road. Continue driving 3 miles up Rimrock Dr and Park on top of the mesa near the start of the canyon. The approach to Serpent's does not require a car shuttle. From the Picnic Area, this is 2.4 miles +930'. Walk from the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area to the main road and the trailhead to Serpents Trail. Hike up Serpents Trail up until it meets the paved road. Continue up the paved road another 1/4 mile making one right turn and one left turn, taking care not to walk in the drivers' blind spots. Shortly after the bend head right off the road and follow the bench around the head of the canyon and to the first rappel.

Watch the landing zones as it may contain Poison Ivy. By late Spring and throughout Summer the P.I. can be thick and completely choke off the canyon in places. There are several beginner-friendly down climbs. R1: 40' from a tree DCL into a section with some neat narrows. DC DCL R2: 15' with a releasable off a tree for a short drop. This might also be partner-assisted. DC in a gully DCR when the watercourse runs off a high ledge R3: 55' from a tree DCR (this is the cover photo), followed by R4 R4: 70' from a chockstone under a large boulder to protect a short vertical section that some may downclimb. From the ledge at the bottom of R4, downclimb the slope DCR, or extend the rappel past the ledge. Dodge some Poison Ivy in the drainage below R4. Adder Connector It is possible to gain the ridge DCL and connect to Adder Canyon. Depart the drainage and aim up the left side of the canyon to (39.03719, -108.64277), which connects with a horizontal game trail leading to the top of R4 in Adder Canyon to the north. R5: 80' with a swing into the free hang it may be possible to swing outside of the Poison Ivy patch under the alcove. R6: 35' from a tree DCR, which avoids Poison Ivy growing at a nice anchor tree midstream. It may be possible to swing outside of the Poison Ivy patch under the alcove. Avoid Poison Ivy along the makeshift trail after R6. The 'Exit Right' waypoint is just before an old concrete low dam with remnants of pipes. (R7) The final brushy ~15' drop can be bypassed on ledges DCR. End the drainage at a concrete pour over and a historic cabin.