While we could still be skiing on Grand Mesa — with nearly a four-foot base holding strong and more snow on the way — spring has fully arrived down in the valley where CMU is, and we’re wrapping up the ski season. It’s a great time of year for high-desert hikes, and the CMU Cross Country Ski Team set out on a 15-mile trek to one of Grand Junction’s hidden gems: Rattlesnake Arches.
This remote area, part of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, holds the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the U.S., with 35 natural arches, including eight major ones (only Arches National Park in Moab surpasses it). Along the rugged trail, we passed sandstone cliffs, towering pinnacles, and stunning arches like Cedar Tree Arch (spanning 76 feet) and East Rim Arch (soaring 120 feet tall). With tough access and breathtaking views, it was the perfect team adventure to close out the year.