Hiking Serpents Trail
Colorado National Monument
Overview
|
Sun 47 | 27 |
Mon 48 | 34 |
Tue 48 | 30 |
Wed 44 | 32 |
Thu 43 | 27 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Sun 47 | 27 |
Mon 48 | 34 |
Tue 48 | 30 |
Wed 44 | 32 |
Thu 43 | 27 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
The new road with Devil's Kitchen on the left.
A local favorite for exercise, the Serpents Trail is a trail with much history in Colorado National Monument. John Otto was one of the earliest promoters of Colorado National Monument, and the monument's custodian from 1911-9127. He left is mark on many areas of the monument, including the design of the Serpents Trail. His enthusiasm for the area drove him to try to improve access for visitors. The Serpents Trail with its 16 switchbacks, often called “the crookedest road in the world”, was part of the main road in the monument until the 1950s.
Today, a less steep park road cuts through a tunnel under the Serpents Trail and the old road has been turned into a hiking trail. The trail is about 2 miles one way with about 700 feet of elevation change. It is popular with locals looking to get some exercise. If you have 2 vehicles, or are willing to try to thumb a ride, a walk DOWN the Serpents Trail is an easy outing with outstanding views. With one vehicle as an out and back, it provides good exercise!
Just getting started on the trail.
Getting There
From the east side entrance to Colorado National Monument, drive 0.2 miles past the entrance fee station.
The lower trailhead is on the left side of the road signed Devil's Kitchen trailhead. There is somewhat limited parking. If full, there is overflow parking at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic area that is just across the road from the trailhead, where a paved road goes a short distance to a picnic area. There is a restroom at the picnic area.
For the upper trailhead continue another 2.4 miles (2.6 miles total from the entrance) to a small parking area on the left. This one bend after exiting the tunnel.
The trail switchbacking down.
Route
From the upper trailhead, simply follow the old dirt road as it winds down to the Devil's Kitchen trailhead. The views to the north of Grand Valley and the Book Cliffs are excellent along the way, and are the views east into Devil's Kitchen and No Thoroughfare Canyon areas.
Photos
Maps
| Upper Trailhead |
12S 703760mE 4323114mN N39° 02' 00" W108° 38' 45" |
| Lower Trailhead |
12S 705067mE 4322995mN N39° 01' 55" W108° 37' 51" |