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Rattlesnake Canyon (colorado)




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 Canyon contains 9 Natural Arch es, the second highest concentration of such arches in the United States , after the much better known Arches National Park . Limited access and primitive facilities
limit visitation and help preserve the wilderness in its natural state.

Access to the canyon is either by a strenuous 5 mile hike from the Pollack Bench trailhead or by the Black Ridge
access roads. The latter are reached via the adjacent Colorado National Monument . These Dirt Road s are open seasonally and should only be attempted in a high ground clearance Four Wheel Drive vehicle under dry conditions due to steep grades {Link without Title} .

The arches loop trail starts with steep descent through the first arch and continues past 6 more arches before ascending to join the Pollack Bench trail. An easy trail leads along the cliff top but affords only a limited view of the arches.


NOTABLE FEATURES

  • Cedar Tree Arch (also known as Rainbow Arch) has a span of 76 feet and an opening height of 43 feet.

  • East Rim Arch (also known as Akiti Arch or Centennial Arch) has a span of 40 feet and an opening height of 120 feet.

  • Bridge Arch (also known as Hole-in-the-Bridge Arch) has a span of 40 feet and an opening height of 30 feet.



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