Routes in Rattlesnake Canyon. The trail is primarily used for nature trips and ohv/off road driving and is best used from March until November. The 13-mile-long drive on Black Ridge Access Road west of Colorado National Monument takes you to the upper trailhead, which makes for a much shorter hike. If you make it into the canyon; it's well worth the effort, because of it's beauty and remoteness. I googled trails close to me and liked the name of this one so off I went. ‹ › × × A - Rattlesnake Canyon Arches is actually located outside of Colorado National Monument and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (970-244-3000). Best mini golf I've ever played!" Grand Junction invites you to celebrate our Nation’s independence! Trickling water later enlarged the holes, leaving today’s magnificent parade of arches. Rattlesnake Canyon fits well into longer tours that pass through Western Colorado. Rattlesnake Canyon, a remote desert wonderland of rock spires, red-walled cliffs, plunging canyons, and dramatic arches, await the hiker that explores this isolated landscape within Colorado�s Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness�but first, you have to reach the trailhead via a high ground clearance four wheel drive access road. The smooth, salmon-colored sandstone was deposited more than 175 million years ago in the form of sand dunes on an ancient coastline. Even though the sign points left for Rattlesnake Canyon, the trail actually heads straight, behind the sign. Rattlesnake canyon is not as tall or as long as either Upper or Lower Antelope, but in other aspects it is similar. 4WD is required. Follow the cairns. FYI – … The trail now crosses or is in the streambed at times. The total distance for the out-and-back hike is 6.2 miles, although it can be shortened to 3.6 miles if you scramble up a steep slab behind Cedar Tree Arch, though some climbing skills are recommended. Return back on the trail or climb the slick rock behind Cedar Tree Arch to complete the loop. Alert hikers will spot wildlife, including mule deer, coyotes, desert bighorn sheep, grey foxes, cottontail rabbits, lizards, and occasionally a midget faded rattlesnake, a small, seldom-seen rattler. For experienced and adventurous hikers, this trip is not to be missed. The trail isn't obvious in a few places. From wineries to excursions, find deals on great Grand Junction experiences. They are rough, need four wheel drive, and high clearance. One of Colorado’s best-kept secrets, the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches offers seven spectacular natural arches in a distance of about 0.7 miles. The Furnace - Rattlesnake Canyon, Colorado 715-1 I’m sure this small arch has an official name, but the locals call it “the Furnace.†For a few months each summer, with the sun in the right location, the last rays of daylight illuminte the walls of this arch, turning them a bright reddish-orange. Rattlesnake Canyon provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Even though this hike is exceedingly beautiful, it’s not a dog-friendly trail, especially in the summer. In fact, you can find a collection of 35 natural arches, including eight major arches, tucked away in Rattlesnake Canyon. The Zesty Moose, Be Sweet, and Kannah Creek…...      Â, Everyone who visits Colorado National Monument claims, “it’s more of a nati, Want to learn more about McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area? It’s easy to follow and passes eight arches, including Hole-in-the-Bridge Arch, Eye Arch, Centennial Arch, Overhanging Arch, Trap Arch, and the stylish Cedar Tree Arch. Rattlesnake Canyon provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. We’ve all heard of a rattlesnake, but did you know there are three different types of this venomous snake in Colorado. The best seasons to visit are spring and fall when the temperatures are moderate. Getting There Approach by a long, arduous trail from the river or a rocky road from above. If you’re looking for a longer hike or just want to avoid the 4x4 route, the Pollock Bench Trailhead is another option. The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches area of the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area is truly a hidden gem in the high desert country. I photographed the walls interesting features, alcoves, and a couple minor arches before reaching the final arch, Cedar Arch. Make sure you have. Between these canyons are pinon-juniper covered mesas which slope downward to the Colorado River. History. Want to learn more about McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area? Once on the main trail, it is well marked with sign posts, cairns and a well worn track as it weaves in and out of washes, and over sandstone slickrock. See sights as grand as a national park but without … Keep in mind that this is wilderness land where access takes visitors over a rugged unpaved road to Mee Canyon and … Maybe someone saw a rattlesnake in this canyon years ago, so that's how it got it's name! Rattlesnake Canyon is home to the second largest concentration of natural arches in the nation and possibly the world. The road is impassable when wet, so plan accordingly to make sure you don’t visit after rain or snow. The impressive Hole-in-the-Bridge Arch illustrates how the circular arches formed like holes punched in arcing sandstone amphitheater. Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey Museum: Tickets & Tours‎ Rattlesnake Canyon: Tickets & Tours‎ Devils Canyon Hiking Trails: Tickets & Tours‎ Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial: Tickets & Tours‎ Mary's Loop: Tickets & Tours‎ Kokopelli's Trail: Tickets & Tours‎ Colorado Welcome Center: Tickets & Tours‎ You can spend 2-3 hours and have a fully featured evening with all of the amenities. The largest is the Prairie Rattlesnake, capable of growing to more than 4 1/2 feet long. The canyon views are incredible. This is a steep, strenuous undefined game trail. Please choose a different date. To access the trailhead from Grand Junction you need to take US-50 E/S for about 27 miles or so until you come to the Escalante Canyon road on your right, it’s 650rd in google maps. Access information can be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management website . Many of the other arches are smaller windows stamped through roofed alcoves. The first section of the track is divided into the Upper Road and Lower Road, both are open seasonally from mid-April to mid-February. While the arches have always had affectionate nicknames, it wasn’t until 1972 that any of the arches was officially named. Rafting, kayaking and tubing are also popular with rafters often using the campground on overnight trips. The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches are one of Colorado’s most spectacular wonders, but also one of its best-kept secrets. If you see a rattlesnake, they are not aggressive, unless you try messing with them. The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches Trail is a 2.7-mile footpath that circles along a wooded area (known in geological terms as a bench) below eight of the area’s major arches. Incredible whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Rattlesnake Canyon stretches from Skofield Park into the Santa Ynez mountains. The trailhead starts at the end of the 4x4 road and descends down to the bench. This is a beautiful canyon. While it’s only a short drive from Grand Junction, you get the feeling that you’re alone in the world, taking in incredible natural structures millions of years in the making. Make a four-mile, out-and-back hike to the arches before retracing your steps down to the trailhead. Colorado River: 3.3 miles down river from the Loma boat launch on river left is the mouth of Rattlesnake Canyon. The northern end of western Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau comes alive with remote canyons that slice through colorful sandstone layers to form cliffs, pinnacles, alcoves, and—most impressively—arches. Although this is referred to as a canyon, the normal destination is a ridge above and west of Colorado National Monument with numerous arches. However, a high-clearance vehicle is mandatory, and four-wheel-drive or an ATV is required for the last two miles, a rocky obstacle course with steep grades. Cedar Tree Arch, also called Rainbow Arch, is the longest arch in the group, with a span of 76 feet and a vertical opening of 43 feet. Between these canyons are pinon-juniper covered mesas which slope downward to the Colorado River. Bridge Arch within Rattlesnake Arches in Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, Colorado. There are also many arches to be found in the Wilderness Area outside of the Rattlesnake Canyon area. Hikers without a four-wheel-drive vehicle can park eight miles after at the junction of the two roads and either hike or mountain bike the last couple miles to the trailhead. The views of the … Awe-inspiring natural beauty and the dramatic red rock landscape of the Colorado National Monument. But I usually hike it about every other year or so, and I've never seen a rattlesnake! Maybe someone saw a rattlesnake in this canyon years ago, so that's how it got it's name! The arches are great to see. Enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, tubing, or wading along the Colorado River. These soaring spans, protected in the 123,400-acre McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, form the world’s second largest concentration of arches outside of Utah’s Arches National Park. Look up to catch turkey vultures, golden eagles, and hawks flying above the arches. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, This is a great hike, but please bring an accurate map. View Rattlesnake Arches.kmlin a larger map The Rattlesnake Arches Trail is located within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area which is part of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. Check out page 26 of theÂ. Only the Prairie Rattlesnake is found in Castle Rock. The hiking was great this year blue skis but a bit cold in November, love this area of CO. Worth the stay!!!! Rattlesnake Arches is located in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area near Grand Junction, Colorado. As the ancient inland sea disappeared, erosion started sculpting contoured alcoves in the cliff with wind-blown grit, frost wedging, and quick runoff thinning out the alcoves until holes appeared. Rattlesnake Canyon is located within the Wilderness Area and is said to contain the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the U.S. Expect a wild experience and be prepared to rough it. The canyon contains nine natural arches, the second highest concentration of such arches in the United … You’re on your own in this high desert, with no parking lots, visitor centers, rangers giving directions, or pavement. Another place we see rattlesnakes is Clear Creek Canyon. A trail leads from the parking area across a mesa for a half mile where it descends to a bench that it uses to travel around the cliffs until it is above Rattlesnake Canyon. There will be a junction at mile 1.8 for horses, but continue to the next junction to join the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches Trail - R1 most directly. Accessible only by a rough drive on a 4x4 track and a moderate hike or about a 15-mile round-trip trek from a trailhead west of Grand Junction. Start planning your trip with special offers on hotels, dining, activities and more. The high desert landscape makes for a unique hiking experience in Rattlesnake Canyon. Summer days can be hot, plan your hike for early morning or evening. Hotels near Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey Museum, Hotels near Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial, Hotels near McInnis Canyons Conservation Area, Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Devils Canyon Hiking Trails: Tickets & Tours‎, Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial: Tickets & Tours‎, Colorado Welcome Center: Tickets & Tours‎, Fruita Community Center: Tickets & Tours‎, McInnis Canyons Conservation Area: Tickets & Tours‎, Black Ridge Wilderness Study Area: Tickets & Tours‎, Cavalcade Performing Arts Center: Tickets & Tours‎. Turn left at off ramp and cross back over I-70 and follow the signs to Colorado National Monument (CNM). Centennial Arch, also dubbed East Rim Arch or Rattlesnake Arch, is the site’s most elegant archway with a thin 40-foot span above a 120-foot-high window. This trailhead is easily accessible from the mild dirt road running along the Colorado River. Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, Eldorado Canyon, Colorado. Its name comes from its serpentine shape and curves, not rattlesnake occupation. Local Gifts, Take & Bake, and Cocoa Bombs! To read about the other great places we have been go to www.panafoot.com photo by John Strother. McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Today, several of the arches retain unofficial designations. After five miles, the trail reaches the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches Trail. But I usually hike it about every other year or so, and I've never seen a rattlesnake! Rattlesnake Canyon OHV Route is a 27.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Landers, California that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. Nothing is technical, but you should be comfortable with a bit of exposure. The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches and the surrounding McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, despite lying only 20 miles from Grand Junction, is a forbidding land dissected by deep canyons and lorded over by towering cliffs and buttes. On our second day in Colorado, July 31, 2020, Steve went golfing so I decided to go on a solo hike to Rattlesnake Gulch Trail in Colorado. Other times, it is up on a bench on the side. Posted on August 13, 2020 August 20, 2020. Besides its unique geology, the Rattlesnake Canyon area features a high-desert ecosystem with scattered piñon pines, junipers, sagebrush, cacti, and yuccas surviving on only 11 inches of annual rainfall. Cedar Arch has a span of about 75 feet and rises more than 40 feet in a classic arch shape. Bordering Interstate 70 and the Colorado River to the north, Rattlesnake Canyon holds nine major natural arches, one of the main reasons for its popularity. 13 reviews of Rattlesnake Canyon "Always a good time. Rattlesnake Canyon is a scenic area within the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness which in turn forms the core of the Bureau of Land Management administered McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in west central Colorado. The strenuous hike threads up rock-walled canyons, scrambles over sandy slabs, and skirts strangely eroded hoodoos and spires, but gets you to the same jaw-dropping scenery as the upper trailhead. Venture a short 0.4-miles on the trail to an overlook above Cedar Tree Arch. Put on sunscreen, wear a hat and protective clothing on sunny days to avoid sunburn. We had a great time!! Geologic features in this area includes arches, spires, windows, giant alcoves and desert patina. It is a wonderful trip with young kids. Check out special dining offers for local Grand Junction restaurants. A half-mile side trip down the Pollock Bench route gets you to Window Rock Tower, also called Aztec Arch, an opening in a standing rock that’s the area’s ninth major arch. Geologic features in this area includes arches, spires, windows, giant alcoves and desert patina. Location. With almost no shade, steep ledges, and rocks that can burn the pads of their feet, it’s best to leave furry friends behind. Fishing is the main attraction in the area, but visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches, formed in a 150-foot-high layer of Entrada sandstone, scattered along a mile of the canyon’s upper rim. Colorado National Monument is adjacent to, but not part of, the Wilderness Area. #1 Rattlesnake Canyon Colorado Unclassified Updated: 2020-01-07 Rattlesnake Canyon is a scenic area within the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness which in turn forms the core of the Bureau of Land Management administered McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in west central Colorado. Colorado is home to dozens of stunning canyons of its own, including the jaw-dropping Rattlesnake Canyon near Fruita. Rattlesnake Canyon (walog sa Estados Unidos, Colorado, Huerfano County) Rattlesnake Canyon (walog sa Estados Unidos, Colorado, Mesa County) , 39°09′54″N 108°51′44″W  /  39.16498°N 108.86233°V  / 39.16498; -108.86233  ( Rattlesnake Canyon (walog sa Estados Unidos, Colorado… Stay hydrated, carry ample water, sports drinks, and snacks and food. There are two ways to get there: one is a long hike from the Pollock Canyon trailhead near Fruita, and the other is driving from the Colorado National Monument, via the Black Ridge Hunter Access road (closed in winter). Stunning golf courses whose green fairways are juxtaposed against the craggy Redland desert. Was driving thur Fruita CO. Colorado National Monument - the National Park You've Never Heard Of, Visit Grand Junction Staff & Board of Directors. The trails are easy to follow and well-marked so while it’s hard to get lost, it never hurts to use an app like COTREX or Hiking Project to track your real-time location. What will you find during your visit to Grand Junction? Hundreds of miles of world-class mountain biking trails such as the Kokopelli Trail. Apex Park, Deer Creek Canyon Park, South Valley Park, the Ken Caryl Valley, North Table Mountain and South Table Mountain. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. more, Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey Museum. Visit Grand Junction | 740 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 | Call 970-256-4060All rights reserved, copyright 2020 | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us. Colorado’s spans, the second-highest concentration in the country, grace Rattlesnake Canyon in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area southwest of … One of the best-kept secrets in Colorado is hiking Rattlesnake Arches from the Colorado River. Both the Pollock Bench and Pollock Canyon trails provide access to many neighboring trail systems. It's a long hike. Colorado National Monument is located very close by and can be integrated into the same day. Leaving Rattlesnake Arch, I continued to enjoy the scenery of both Rattlesnake Canyon and the sandstone wall above the trail. Plan on a full-day adventure and carry plenty of water, at least two liters per hiker. There are a couple of places that will require some scrambling. It takes effort to reach the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches, but the reward of breathtaking scenery and solitude through canyons and across scrubby mesas is well worth the challenge. Exhilarating outdoor adventures including hiking, camping or skiing on the Grand Mesa. The other two varieties, the Massasauga and the Midget Faded Rattlesnake, will grow to around 30 inches. There are three venomous snakes in Colorado, the Prairie, Massasauga and Midget-faded rattlesnakes. While many people associate natural arches with Utah, Rattlesnake Canyon is a unique opportunity to hike an arch right here in Colorado. The Rattlesnake Arches are off the beaten path, but those willing to make the journey will be rewarded with one of Colorado’s most remarkable landscapes. Just consider Rattlesnake Canyon in Colorado to be the state’s very own Grand Canyon, and one visit to this spectacular scenery will make you fall in love with Colorado all over again. Anyway: Rattlesnake canyon is supposed to have the second biggest concentration of arches in the country; second only to Arches National Park in Utah. As you climb toward Rattlesnake Canyon there are a few arroyos that you must descend down into and climb up the other side. Find deals and coupons for activities and more in Grand Junction. The canyon contains nine natural arches, the second highest concentration of such arches in the United States, after the much better known Arches National Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You can park a couple of miles before the trailhead and hike the last 2 miles of road. Totally worth going to. Check out page 26 of the Grand Junction Adventure Guide. The Rattlesnake Arches are off the beaten path, but those willing to make the journey will be rewarded with one of Colorado’s most remarkable landscapes. Even with their official titles, many locals still refer to them by their longstanding nicknames. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Accessible only by a rough drive on a 4x4 track and a moderate hike or about a 15-mile round-trip trek from a trailhead west of Grand Junction. It is a bit difficult to get to it; the roads require four-wheel drive, and they can be impassable when wet. The cairns are large, and the trail is easy to follow. Around 1808, the Santa Barbara Mission received water from Mission Creek through an aqueduct that was made by the Chumash people.Through Las Canoas (The Flumes), water was funneled from Rattlesnake Canyon into … The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches are one of Colorado’s most spectacular wonders, but also one of its best-kept secrets. This location is not available for single day tours due to the distance from Denver. Been going here since it first opened and, while the prices increase every year, it's still a lot of a fun. Four Ways to Enjoy Fall Foliage on the Western Slope. Wandering through the canyon is a wonderful experience to have over an hour, lingering over a particularly interesting abstract shape in the sandstone or an evocative passageway. Rattlesnake Canyon – Area Recreation. Travel up the canyon approximately 1.5 miles in the east drainage, steep ascent up the canyon to connect to the Arches Loop Trail. It’s a well graveled and smooth road and hard to miss with the huge parking area just off of the highway. Be careful of the roads in. If you see a rattlesnake, they are not aggressive, unless you try messing with them. The nonvenomous Bullsnake is often mistaken for a rattlesnake, because they have similar markings and will vibrate their rattleless tails on dry vegetation. John Strother. The scenery is rocky with scraggly pine trees and low shrubs. Rattlesnake Canyon, Colorado Rattlesnake Canyon contains a dozen or so natural arches that you can see in a day-trip from the city of Grand Junction. Trail Summary: Rattlesnake Canyon Arches is a beautiful out and back hike located in western Colorado. The road into the canyon is only accessible by a 4X4 vehicle, so keep that in mind if you want to visit Rattlesnake canyon. No Rattlesnakes! Search for exclusive lodging deals in Grand Junction. The hike begins near the Colorado River and steadily climbs towards Rattlesnake Canyon. 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Left is the mouth of Rattlesnake Canyon arches offers seven spectacular natural arches in the high desert, no!