Serpent's Tail
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| | Difficulty:3A I (v2a1 II) Raps:2-4, max ↨70ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Any, Hot in Summer
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39.0313, -108.6363
39.0320, -108.6308
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Introduction[edit]
The shortest in the Devil's Kitchen and snake-themed canyons was a nice add-on to the day. This short loop has great pay to play and enough action to keep it interesting with pretty views.
Approach[edit]
Park at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area or Devil's Kitchen Trailhead.
Hike the Serpent's Trail 0.85 miles up to the top of the drainage (39.03130, -108.63623). Depart the trail on slickrock to the north (be careful to avoid creating a social trail) and scramble down to the wash and begin hiking downstream.
Descent[edit]
R0: 20' Can bypass the first 20' drop with a DC DCL
R1: 60' from a large pinyon tree in canyon center for two stages (both are about 20’). The first lip is slightly undercut. If you use this tree as a rappel station, be careful to avoid disturbing the soil at the base of the pinyon when rigging the rappel.
As an alternative to the tree mentioned above, there is a pinyon and Juniper DCL along the ledge that can be used. The pinyon has a possible loose flake so we used the juniper.
R2: 70' fiddle off an arch DCL or DCR for two stages (both are about 15-20’)
R3: 45' from a sling under a large boulder pinch DCL , or, it is recommended to stem and downclimb 15-20’ down a low angled gap in canyon center/right.
- Note that all 3 rappels are in view of walkers on the Serpents Trail. R3 is especially close (100 yards). Be thoughtful of other visitors to the area and take care around communication and timing of rappels to avoid making a scene so that canyoneers will continue to have a good relationship with Colorado National Monument. ***
Exit[edit]
Intersect the trail between the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area and the Devil's Kitchen Trailhead and follow it either direction back to the car.
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]
Oct 2025 beta added to ropewiki. Ira Lewis, Carl Bern, Derya Sonel, Stella Zhou, Richard, Johnathan Mitchem, Robin Warne