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Rattlesnake Canyon

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First Arch Shortcut 

Rattlesnake Canyon

Submitted By: John Peterson on Jun 1, 2008
Administrators: Jesse Zacher, Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac
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Rattlesnake Arch - the biggest of the arches in th...


Description 

Not really a climbing destination but definitely a cool place to go if you're in the area. Although this is referred to as a canyon, the normal destination is a ridge above and west of Colorado National Monument with numerous arches.


Getting There 

Approach by a long, arduous trail from the river or a rocky road from above. This road connects from Colorado National Monunemt - you'll have to drive through the monument to get there. Ask at the visitor center for directions / road conditions.

A passenger car can be driven (carefully!) to a spot about 3 miles from the trailhead. A relatively macho car like my Subaru could probably get all the way there, but I opted to use my mountain bike for the last three miles. From the end of the road, it's one mile to the arches.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Rattlesnake Canyon:
First Arch Shortcut   4th     Trad, Chipped, 1 pitch, 120 feet   
Browse More Classics in Rattlesnake Canyon

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By Rick Blair
From: Denver, Co
Jun 12, 2009

Get on the water near Fruita and take out at the base of Rattlesnake Canyon. This is one of the best hikes I have ever done! Obviously river access makes this a less traveled trail. Absolutely amazing!