It's the beginning of summer, and if you hit Serpent's Trail early in the morning or late in the evening, you'll be treated to one of the best short, aerobic hikes in the Grand Valley. Plus, sunrises and sunsets are drop-dead gorgeous from here.

Only minutes from downtown GJ, Serpent's Trail is easy to find, just past the east entrance of the Colorado National Monument. Take Grand Avenue across the Colorado River. Turn left at the first stoplight - Monument Road. Stay on it for a couple miles to the entrance of the National Monument. From the entrance gate, travel three-tenths of a mile. Park on the left. The trail is on the right-hand side of the road.

Once dubbed the "Crookedest Road in the World," this trail is now on the National Register of Historic Structures. John Otto himself laid it out in the early 1900s. Otto was the main man responsible for creating the Colorado National Monument in 1911. As the “founding father” of this National Monument, he single-handedly built many of its trails and was its first custodian.

Serpents Trail was used as the main road onto Glade Park and Pinyon Mesa until 1950. The trail is 1.75 miles one way with 14 switch-backs. It climbs steadily from east to west. The National Park Service suggests it will take the average hiker 90 minutes up and 45 minutes down this steep dirt road.

It is a strenuous hike on the way up. It’s normally a cakewalk on the way down, unless you have weak knees. During the summer, it's hot here during the day, so it's best to use this as a quick early morning or late evening get-away.

Many hikers prefer to start at the top of the trail, which is located just above the tunnel on Rim Rock Drive (before you get to Cold Shivers Point). They hike down to begin. Then, once they’re warmed up, they hike back for a good aerobic workout.

Views overlooking the Grand Valley from this trail are great but watch your step and your children at overlooks and steep drop offs. Occasionally, a hiker will stumble across a coyote, bobcat or mountain lion track. Usually, it's just someone's dog prints, even though pets are not allowed on trails within the National Monument. (By the way, I've never seen a snake on Serpent's Trail, although they do co-exist, along with bobcats, coyotes rabbits, desert bighorn sheep, deer and humanoids in this area.

Bicycles and motorized vehicles also are not allowed on this trail, leaving it to foot-powered pedestrians only. That makes it nice for hikers and runners alike. No one ever gets in anyone else’s way on this trail. It’s wide and smooth.

Don’t forget: you should pay to play here. I have a $20 yearly pass, which is a bargain for the number of times I’m on the Monument. Seven-day passes cost $4 for bicycles, $7 for cars. You can also get a National Parks pass for $80.