Pit Viper Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A I (v3a1 III) Raps:3, max ↨100ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:Optional 2.45mi Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 17 Aug 2025
"Fun Canyon! Lots of trash made it out. The arch is a very cool way to start, and is the highlight as well. |
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| Best season: | Sep-Apr
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39.0340, -108.6450
39.0329, -108.6333
39.0338, -108.6460
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Introduction[edit]
With the car shuttle, the approach is as short as it gets to the first rappel through an arch! A few more rappels follow, then a longer drainage descent to the trail below with a few downclimbs in the 1.5-1.7 billion year old Precambrian granite/gneiss rock to keep it more interesting.
Pit Viper is on the eastern side of Colorado National Monument (Parks Pass required).
Because this canyon starts so close to the road, it gathers a lot of trash that has fallen out of cars. When you descend this canyon, please continue to carry out trash in the canyon.
Approach[edit]
Park at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area, which is open 7:30am-8pm or the Devil's Kitchen Trailhead across the street.
Hike the Serpent's Trail (2mi +800') or set a car shuttle.
Set a car shuttle by driving 2.45mi up Monument Rd to park at the top of the Serpent's Trail or along the road (39.03377, -108.64602).
Descent[edit]
Don't set up an anchor in the drainage ditch from the road, instead walk the rim just below the guard rail to the north and descend through the arch.
R1: 70' from a tree through Culvert Arch. There is a lot of loose rock on the rappel so make sure to move out of the fall zone if you're belaying.
R2: 75' from a tree DCL on the side to reenter the main drainage (or bypass this and routefind on canyon left to easily walk down to the last rappel).
R3: 100' from a slung rock DCL. Awkward start.
DC several short downclimbs follow once the canyon hits the Precambrian granite/gneiss layer
Exit[edit]
Catch a trail DCR up out of the drainage where the drainage nears the hogback. Hike uphill of the hogback back to the Devil's Kitchen Picnic area.
Red tape[edit]
A National Park's pass or a Colorado National Monument entrance fee is required.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Previously descended.
2024-09 beta added to ropewiki by Ira Lewis from a descent with Wayne Herrick