Serpent's Tongue
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| | Difficulty:3A I (v2a1 II) Raps:1-3, max ↨35ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 2.3 miles Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | any, Hot in Summer
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39.0319, -108.6396
39.0329, -108.6333
39.0333, -108.6459
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Introduction
A short canyon with really nice sandstone features and good views back to Grand Junction. This would be a good canyon for beginners with good trail access. This canyon is probably the best of the canyons starting from the Serpents Trail.
The Poison Ivy below R3 can be avoided.
A car shuttle parked at the top of the Serpent's Trail would eliminate any uphill hiking and take a mile off the approach distance. The stats provided are hiking up from the Devil's Kitchen Trailhead not utilizing a shuttle.
Approach
Park at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area or Devil's Kitchen Trailhead.
Hike the Serpent's Trail 1.5 miles up to the top of the drainage (39.03201, -108.64145). Depart the trail to the north and begin hiking downstream.
Descent
Bypass an 8' drop DCR
R1: 25' from a juniper DCL. This could potentially be downclimbed in the slight crack further DCL, but might be easier with a spotter to help guide foot placements. It is also possible to downclimb/handline down 6’ of steep slickrock on the right by traversing the ledge 50-100’ past a pinyon pine on DCR.
DC: 5' DCL
R2: 35' from a pinyon pine on far DCL. This rappel might be awkward for beginners.
R3: 25' fiddled from a juniper DCR. Could also be downclimbed with a belay for all but the last person down the center.
Poison Ivy grows below R3, but the several outcroppings can be avoided.
Exit
Continue down canyon to the picnic area below.
Red tape
A National Park's pass or a Colorado National Monument entrance fee is required
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
May 2025 beta added to ropewiki. Ira Lewis, Chris Welsh