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Arches National Park Guide
Arches National Park Hiking Trails
Canyonlands: Hiking Trails in the Needle Region
Natural Bridges National Monument
White Rim Trail Campsites

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UTAH: Arches National Park

Turret Arch

Water and ice, extreme temperatures, and underground salt movement are responsible for the sculptured rock scenery of Arches National Park. On clear days with blue skies, it is hard to imagine such violent forces, or the 100 million years of erosion, that created this land that boasts the greatest density of natural arches in the world. The more than 2,000 cataloged arches range in size from a three-foot opening, the minimum considered an arch, to the longest one, Landscape Arch, which measures 306 feet from base to base. New arches are being formed and old ones are being destroyed. Erosion and weathering are relatively slow but are relentlessly creating dynamic landforms that gradually change through time. Occasionally change occurs more dramatically. In 1991 a slab of rock about 60 feet long, 11 feet wide, and 4 feet thick fell from the underside of Landscape Arch, leaving behind an even thinner ribbon of rock. Delicate Arch, an isolated remnant of a bygone fin, stands on the brink of a canyon, with the dramatic La Sal Mountains for a backdrop. Towering spires, pinnacles, and balanced rocks perched atop seemingly inadequate bases vie with the arches as scenic spectacles.

Native Americans utilized the area for thousands of years. Archaic people, and later ancestral Puebloan, Fremont, and Utes searched the and desert for game animals, wild plant foods, and stone for tools and weapons. They also left evidence of their passing on a few pictograph and petroglyph panels. The first white explorers came looking for wealth in the form of minerals. Ranchers found wealth in the grasses for their cattle and sheep. John Wesley Wolfe, a disabled Civil War veteran, and his son, Fred, settled here in the late 1800s. A weathered log cabin, root cellar, and a corral remain as evidence of the primitive ranch they operated for more than 20 years. A visit to Wolfe Ranch is a walk into the past.

Stop at the visitor center and ask advice on the best use of your time-whether an hour or a week-in the park and nearby areas. Watch a color slide orientation program, see the geology and history exhibits, and browse for publications and maps. A self-guiding booklet for the drive along the park road is available, as is a guide to the trails of the park. In season, ask about the naturalist-led Fiery Furnace walk and other ranger-guided programs, (ALL for a nominal fee of ~$6 now!) or privately-operated tours, (even more). There are no food or lodging facilities in the park; nearby Moab provides all types of visitor services.

Arches National Park is a great family park. Foot trails lead to many park features. You can see much from your car, but to grasp the aura of time and silence, and experience the scale so special here, get out of your car and walk. A fit hiker can probably hike most of the trails in a day. It’s definitely worth it to hike back in the Devils’ Garden area, especially the Primitive Trail. But do it early as to beat the heat and crowds.

TRAILS:

*Trail distances are round-trip, unless otherwise noted.

Park Avenue (one way) 1.0 mi./1.6 km Moderately easy; short hill leads to smooth . . rock Canyon bottom; tall walls, balanced rocks.

Balanced Rock (loop) 0.3 mi./0.5 km Easy walk around the base of Balanced Rock.

Windows (loop) 1.0 mi./1.6 km Easy to North and South Windows and Turret Arch; 0.7 mile/1.1 km. Complete loop, for view of both windows, is more strenuous.

Double Arch 0.8 mi./ 1.2 km Easy trail through some loose sand, spectacular arch.

Delicate Arch 3.0 mi./4.8 km Elevation gain of 480 feet/l 46 meters; no shade- take at least one quart of water per person! Open slickrock with some exposure to heights. Best at sunset.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint 100yds/91 m Surfaced trail, distant view of arch; reach base of arch (handicap accessible) only on Delicate Arch trail.

Sand Dune Arch 0.3 mi./0.5 km Easy trail that's great for kids!

Broken Arch 1.3 mi./2.1 km Easy trail across open grasssland.

Skyline Arch 0.4 mi./0.6 km Moderate walk over rocks to closer view of arch.

Devils Garden:

Landscape Arch 1.6 mi./2.6 km Moderately easy with some elevation gain; gravel surface. Short side trips to Tunnel and Pine Tree arches.

Double 0 Arch 4.2 mi./6.8 km Difficult with many short elevation changes, rocky footing, some exposure to heights. Add side trips to Navajo and Partition Arches.

Primitive Loop from 2.2 mi./3.5 km Difficult low route through fins; short section of smooth

Double 0 to Landscape slickrock; slippery when wet. Side trip to Private Arch.

Tower Arch 2.4 mi./3.8 km Moderately difficult in remote section of Klondike Bluffs. Some sand and elevation changes.

Camping:

Devils Garden Campground has 52 tent and trailer sites; all are first-come, first-served (no reservations). Fees are charged year-round. Two walk-in group sites are limited to tents (no RVs) and may be reserved for eleven or more people. Flush toilets and water are available mid-March through mid-October. Chemical toilets are available in winter; get water then at visitor center. Campfire programs are offered in season at the amphitheater.

Outside of the park is free camping on almost all the B.L.M. lands. There is an official B.L.M. campground up Hwy. 128 at the Big Bend portion of the Colorado River, approximately 8-10 miles from the junction of Hwy. 191. For the budget traveler this is the only way to go as park entrance fees continue to escalate. This tends to be a little more primitive too, (fewer places with pit toilets or otherwise), but somewhat quieter. There is also no real place for water replenishment, so carry at least enough for one gallon/ person per day! Keep your vehicle stocked. Pack out all garbage, bury all human waste in cat holes 6" in deep. Be kind to these lands (BLM), as they are still both beautiful and free.

 

 

Canyonlands: The Needles, Hiking Trails
Our Canyonlands adventures rule!

SHORT HIKING TRAILS (Round Trip), Distance(Approximate), Hiking Time, Features

 

LONG HIKING TRAILS (Round Trip), Distance(Approximate), Hiking Time, Features

Squaw Flat Trailhead

Elephant Hill Trailhead

Big Spring Trailhead

Trailheads Accessed by Four-wheel-drive Roads

the Trails(Round Trip), Distance(Approximate), Hiking Time, Features

Many trails interconnect allowing for a variety of options for day or overnight hikes.

Trails

Trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Please do not disturb cairns or build new ones. Signs are located at trailheads and intersections. All backcountry trails are primitive and rough. Water may be found in some canyons, but is rarely available in others. All water should be purified before drinking. Spring and fall are the preferred times of year for hiking due to temperature and water availability.

Day Use Permits

Traveling on four-wheel-drive roads into Salt Creek, Horse and Lavender canyons by vehicle, bicycle or horse requires a day use permit. (See map, or Visitor Center for permit information.)

Backcountry Permits

All overnight stays, except those at Squaw Flat Campground, require a backcountry permit. Visitors are responsible for knowing and following backcountry regulations. (See map, or Visitor Center for permit information.)

Pets

Pets are only permitted on paved and two wheel-drive roads. Pets are not allowed on trails or four-wheel-drive roads (either inside or outside of a vehicle). Pets are permitted in your campsite at Squaw Flat Campground. Pets must be leashed at all times.

Crypto-biotic Soil Crusts

An important feature of the Colorado Plateau is the black, knobby crust often seen growing on soil surfaces. Cryptobiotic soil holds moisture, prevents erosion and contributes nutrients to the desert environment. The crust is easily broken and crushed by tracks. Please do not step or drive on these living soils.

Safety Information

The high desert is a land of extremes. For a safe and enjoyable visit, please follow these guidelines:

Drink a minimum of one gallon of water per day! More for very active people.

Avoid overexposure to the intense sun. Carry long pants and shirt, as well as a hat. Sun-block is a must.

Spring, summer and fall temperatures may become extremely hot. Save strenuous activity for morning or evening hours.

During winter, temperatures drop well below freezing. Wear warm wool or synthetic clothing. Carry storm gear and a flashlight.

During lightning storms avoid lone trees, cliff edges and high ridges. Return to your vehicle if possible.

Watch weather conditions. Slickrock lives up to its name when wet or icy!

Remember that climbing up is easier than climbing down.

Flash floods occur with amazing rapidity. When caught in flash flood conditions, go to high ground. Do not attempt to drive through washes in flood. Get out of dead end canyons.

Group members should stay together to avoid becoming lost.

If you become lost, stay where you are. Make your location as obvious as possible to searchers.

More Information:

Canyonlands National Park
,2282 S. West Resource Blvd.
Moab, Ut. 84532
or call, 801-259-7164

 

 

Natural Bridges National Monument

Owachoma Bridge

Visitor Center

Spending a short time at the visitor center before you see the rest of the monument will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the area. In the visitor center are museum exhibits and a color slide program that present the history of the natural bridges area and a sample of the area's wildlife and plants. You can find out about activities and which trails you might find most enjoyable. Remember, you must f ill your water bottles here. There is no water once you leave the visitor center area.

Services

There are no services in the monument. The closest gasoline, groceries, and overnight accommodations are 40 miles away either in Blanding (east) or Mexican Hat (south). Water is available only at the visitor center. A primitive 13-site campground provides tables, tent pads, grills, and pit toilets. There is a 21 -foot and 1 -vehicle per-site limit.

Bridge View Drive

Bridge View Drive leads to the overlooks and trailheads to the three bridges. This paved, one-way road is 9 miles. Limited parking is provided at each overlook and trailhead. If you are towing a trailer or vehicle, please unhook it and leave it in the visitor center parking lot. The monument is open all year, but the most pleasant season occurs from late April through October.

You can hike into the canyons by trail to view the bridges from beneath or view them from overlooks-see map. Various loop trails may be hiked.

Dropping into the Canyon

As you descend into the canyon you may get glimpses of hanging gardens on shelves in the canyon. The many shelves or benches in the canyon walls result from the different rates of erosion of the various layers of rock. The layers of mudstone and siltstone erode faster than the sandstone, promoting collapse, break up, and removal of the harder sandstone. This creates the stairstep effect of alternating cliffs and benches from mesa top to canyon floor.

High Desert Environment

An average of l3 inches of precipitation falls here annually, and elevations range from 5,500 to 6,500 feet. Pinyon-juniper forest dominates the mesa, where the visitor center and Bridge View Drive are located. Pinyon pine and Utah juniper are prevalent. Shrubs and grasses dominate lower areas. In the canyons or where water sources are perennial, cottonwood and willow trees and other water-loving plants grow. Hanging gardens are found near seeps in canyon walls. Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine occur along some cliffs. Centuries ago prehistoric Basketmaker and Pueblo Anasazi inhabited the Natural Bridges area. Basketmaker Anasazi typically lived in pit-houses on the mesa top. Later Pueblo Anasazi lived in cliff dwellings. Both traditions farmed and ate wild foods. They fashioned homes, baskets, pottery, stone tools, and textiles from natural materials. Preserved primarily by the dry climate, these fragile archeological remains are irreplaceable cultural resources. Hidden in this deep, dry, apparently desolate canyon country today are many plants and animals adapted to its conditions. In season, wildflowers splash their colors against the sandstone backdrop.

Wildlife

Although wildlife is abundant here, you may see only birds, rabbits, lizards, and an occasional mouse or rat. Larger animals such as bobcats, coyotes, bear, mule deer, and mountain lions live in the area as well, but unless you surprise them, they will try to evade you.

WARNINGS:

Sheer drop offs and unfenced trails are many here. During thunderstorms, watch for lightning and flash floods. Always carry water, at least one gallon per person per day. Climbing on the bridges is prohibited.

 

Loop Trails: Distance in miles Sipapu Kachina Owachomo
Sipapu 0 5.4 8.2
Kachina 5.4 0 6
Owachomo 8.2 6 0

For more information write to:

Superintendent, Natural Bridges National Monument, Box 1, Lake Powell, UT 84533.

 

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