HEAD OF SERPENTS TRAIL
31
After leaving the parking area, the downgrade on the Kayenta Formation begins to steepen to the northeast until it becomes advisable to shift into second gear. In about half a mile we descend a series of steep switchbacks cut into the Wingate Sandstone on the steepening Ladder Creek monocline (figs. [8], [29]), and we reach the present upper end of the old Serpents Trail ([fig. 54]), which is now an interesting foot trail. As noted earlier, it is convenient to hike down this steep 2½-mile trail and to have one member of the party drive ahead and await the hikers at the parking area in the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area, near the foot of the trail. One of many rewarding views seen during the hike is shown in [figure 55], another was seen in [figure 10].
COLD SHIVERS POINT, looking north from fenced overlook on east edge of Columbus Canyon. Named feature is toadstool-shaped rock at upper right. Note dark Proterozoic rocks in canyon bottom. (Fig. 53)
TOP OF OLD SERPENTS TRAIL, looking northeast from switchbacks above tunnel. Top of trail is seen at sign on lower right. Grand Mesa forms right skyline. (Fig. 54)
LOOKING NORTHEAST FROM OLD SERPENTS TRAIL, before 1950 when the trail was still used by autos and trucks. One of John Otto’s old foot trails joins the old road at lower middle. Although no thick lenses of sandstone appear in the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation in [figure 21], in this view a lens about 50 feet thick begins just around the corner near the base of the high bluff across No Thoroughfare Canyon and is seen extending as far to the left as the normally dry wash that drains the canyon. When water flows down the wash after thundershowers (see [p. 118]) or from melting snow, the sandstone lens takes in water (recharge) which moves slowly down the dip of the lens to the northeast and supplies several artesian wells. In turn, the light band of the Entrada Sandstone beneath the cottonwood trees at the right middle and the dark patch of Wingate Sandstone at the extreme lower right are recharged in like manner, and they supply water to artesian wells to the northeast. As the older and deeper sandstones on the right take in water at higher altitudes, the water in them is under greater artesian head when tapped by wells. If you think you see covered wagons near the middle of the photograph arranged in a circle for defense against attack by Indians, you are correct—a Western movie was about to be filmed. (Fig. 55)
