Watch CBS News

Rattlesnake Activity Forces Shutdown Of Popular Hiking Trail

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - A popular trail in Jefferson County's open space has been closed due to rattlesnake activity.

Rattlesnake generic
(credit: YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

The Cottonwood Canyon Trail on North Table Mountain has been closed until further notice.

Snakes there are grouping up to prepare for hibernation. Twenty snakes were found on one stretch of trail, and in one spot seven different snakes were found together.

"A lot of folks are surprised that snakes are still active after that first snow that we had back at the beginning of October, but of course we are still seeing plenty of them out during the day basking as they get close to their winter dens," said Jefferson County Open Space employee Andrew BuBois

Jefferson County authorities want to make sure visitors North Table Mountain Park steer clear of the trail.

This comes just a few weeks after a man died from rattlesnake bite in Jefferson County. Daniel Hohs, 31, had been hiking on the Mount Galbraith Trail when he was bitten on the ankle.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.