Send us a suggestion!

The Snakelet

Escalante beta posted by a.c
  • The Hype

    A quick, nicely sculpted canyon close to Boulder Town. Nice by itself or to link with the nearby Midget Rattler canyon for a longer day. This canyon is easily ghosted so please keep it clean.

    Getting There

    From Boulder Town, drive east on the Burr Trail for about 10 miles. Continue past the signed Lower gulch TH for ~1/4 mile to where a bridge crosses a stream. Park here.

    Walk NNW up the drainage, following a trail along the east side of the stream. After about 15 minutes you'll be forced to either cross, or walk in the stream course. Either way, continue north for about 2 more minutes. Up till now the Wingate cliff on your right/east side has been vertical. The vertical cliff relents into a hueco strewn amphitheater. On the far south side of this you'll see a dark slot cut through nearly the entire layer of Wingate; this is the bottom of The Snakelet Canyon.

    On the far north side are a set of good moki steps (~5.4) providing access to the top of the Wingate layer. Follow a drainage NE through some trees to the moki steps. Once on top of the Wingate, go SE along the edge of the cliff until you encounter your objective. It is easy to walk into the canyon just above where the slot drops suddenly.

    This approach takes 20-30 minutes.

    The Canyon - Rating: 3AI   Longest Rap: 80'   # of Raps: 2

    Retrievable anchor techniques are necessary. A Fiddlestick (or similar device), and a Sand Trap work well for the two rappels. 115 feet of rappel line plus 115 feet pull cord should be sufficient. The first rappel may be a bit awkward for beginners. Optionally, the first rappel can be an X-rated downclimb for the proficient.

    The Exit

    Walk down canyon to your car.

    Red Tape

    This canyon is on BLM land. Group size limits on BLM land are usually 12 people.
  • From Boulder Town, drive east on the Burr Trail for about 10 miles. Continue past the signed Lower gulch TH for ~1/4 mile to where a bridge crosses a stream. Park here.

    Walk NNW up the drainage, following a trail along the east side of the stream. After about 15 minutes you'll be forced to either cross, or walk in the stream course. Either way, continue north for about 2 more minutes. Up till now the Wingate cliff on your right/east side has been vertical. The vertical cliff relents into a hueco strewn amphitheater. On the far south side of this you'll see a dark slot cut through nearly the entire layer of Wingate; this is the bottom of The Snakelet Canyon.

    On the far north side are a set of good moki steps (~5.4) providing access to the top of the Wingate layer. Follow a drainage NE through some trees to the moki steps. Once on top of the Wingate, go SE along the edge of the cliff until you encounter your objective. It is easy to walk into the canyon just above where the slot drops suddenly.

    This approach takes 20-30 minutes.
  • Retrievable anchor techniques are necessary. A Fiddlestick (or similar device), and a Sand Trap work well for the two rappels. 115 feet of rappel line plus 115 feet pull cord should be sufficient. The first rappel may be a bit awkward for beginners. Optionally, the first rappel can be an X-rated downclimb for the proficient.
  • Walk down canyon to your car.
  • This canyon is on BLM land. Group size limits on BLM land are usually 12 people.

Condition Reports for The Snakelet

  1. Jo B
    October 18, 2022
    Jo B

    Difficulty:

    Easy

    Skill Level:

    Advanced

    Water:

    Muddy

    Thermal:

    None

    Group Size:

    2 people

    Total Time:

    1 hour 1.5 hours


    We thought the first rappel as a downclimb is R at the worst, not X.

    Some have apparently added a second rappel immediately following the first, bringing the total up to a possible four. Please don't leave your webbing here; a simple/safe partner assist works well.

    Done as a single rappel, the second (or third) drop is difficult to clean and will scar the rock. I recommend a third rappel from the next pothole ledge.

    Posted Feb 2, 2023
The information provided here is intended for entertainment purposes only. The creator of this information and/or Canyon Collective are not liable for any harm or damage caused by this information. Conditions in the backcountry are constantly changing, only you are responsible for your safety and well being.