Jeep Arch Trail
- Alex Cabrero
- Sep 22, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 6
(Moab) This is a trail that has been on my to-do list ever since I first saw it on my AllTrails app. Since I have owned three Jeeps in my life, a trail named after my favorite vehicle is one I felt like I should do. Besides, since the trail was in the red rocks of Moab, it was going to be a great trip no matter what.
The drive to the trailhead is a beautiful one on Potash Road (Hwy 279) even if you weren't heading on a hike. You pass a popular section where you're almost sure to see rock climbers. Then you pass the popular Poison Spider trailhead. A little bit later, you're see a gravel parking lot on the right (north) side of the road. There's a sign here telling you you're in the right spot. Once you're ready to go, the first thing is to find the culvert and walk through it. My dog Timber wasted no time. One you're on the other side, you'll see the trailhead sign.
At the sign, you obviously head left and go on an established trail, but you could go straight here for a little bit beyond the sign just to marvel at the red rock formations here. This geology will never get old to me. But the true adventure begins on the trail.
After you hike up a little switchback incline, you can look back toward the parking lot. You'll see the road you just drove on, the Colorado River, and railroad tracks. The culvert you walked through goes under the train tracks. If you're lucky, you'll see a train come through here. It's such an amazing site and gives you a feeling of what the old West would've been like back in the day. The sounds of the train echo off the red rocks. I didn't see the train on this trip, but I did see it once near here when I hiked to Corona Arch. The same train tracks run near that trail and the train going through is something I'll always remember.
The Jeep Arch Trail is approximately 3.7 miles long roundtrip. The first mile or so of the trail has green paint hashes on the rock (green is the color of Jeeps). They're easy to see to keep you on track. Follow these green markers to get you to the beginning of the loop. You will also follow these markers to get back to the trailhead on your way back. You don't necessarily need these markers because you're basically following a relatively flat part of the topography. There is a little mini canyon to your right and a bluff to your left, so you keep going straight. But it's nice to know you're not lost by following the green paint marks.
The Jeep Arch Trail is an out-and-back that is shaped like a lollipop. At about the halfway mark, you'll come across a sign that says "Loop." This sign indicates the "lollipop" portion of the trail is about to start. You can hike to the left or to the right, but I found going to the left is a little easier. There is one tough section to scramble up some rocks. Make sure you download the Jeep Arch Trail on the AllTrails app, or your favorite hiking app, before you go. There isn't any cell coverage out here. When you get to the section of rocks you have to scramble up, you won't believe it at first. But just follow the GPS and get to the top of the little layer near the rock tower. You can see the rock tower in the picture above. The trail takes you in the opening between that rock tower and the larger chunk of rock to the right of it. I had to pick Timber up and help her up the last section of a rock layer because it was too high of a jump for her.
This picture shows the toughest part of the trail you have to scramble up between a small rock tower and a larger chunk of red rock. Just take your time and enjoy feeling like a true backcountry hiker! This is the hardest part, but you can do it. It's easy peasy after this section, and since it's a loop trail, you won't have to come back this way unless you choose to.
After that rock scramble, there's a gradual downhill and then it's relatively flat all the way to Jeep Arch. There's a well-marked path taking you to where you can first see Jeep Arch. Timber always insists on being trail leader, and when she turned the corner to see Jeep Arch before me, I kid you not... she stopped and turned to look at me as if she knew that was our goal.
This is the highlight of the trail, of course It's why you're doing this trail. Jeep Arch is a stunning natural formation shaped like a Jeep, hence its name. You can kind of see it if you try hard enough. I mean, if the ancients saw animals and people in the constellations, then use modern folk can see a Jeep with this arch :) It's nestled in a quiet, peaceful alcove, making it a perfect spot for a break or a picnic while you take in the incredible surroundings. Timber and I saw a couple of groups having lunch here. Plus, taking a break here keeps the actual part of the trail that goes through the arch less busy. It seems like there is kind of a code that it's okay to take your time going through the arch and enjoying the scenery, one group or hiker at a time.
When it's your turn to head up through the arch, follow the little trail that winds up to the base of it. There is a teeny tiny ledge that might make those scared of heights a little apprehensive, but if I can do if (and I'm terrified of heights), anyone can do it.
Once you're underneath the arch, the views are absolutely beautiful. You can see the valleys of rocks on both sides of the arch. Take your time here. There is no need to rush. Listen to the wind blowing into and through the rocks. You might even here a crow (raven?) squawking and flapping its wings. You get a sense of time here and it's enough to make you feel really small. I love those moments. It makes you happy to be alive so you can experience this spot. I always think this view is the same view the ancients had. It truly is a special spot. Make sure you get plenty of pictures in this spot.
Timber is not scared of heights and had no problem going to the edge underneath the arch. I had to yell at her to get back because she really is fearless. Or maybe she knows I don't like heights and was showing off. Either way, as you can see in the picture, she had a smile the whole time.
When you're ready to leave the arch, it's a gradual downhill all the way back to the loop sign. You can't really get lost here as long as you go straight. Again, this is assuming you went to the left when you first got to the loop sign. If you went right, it's a gradual uphill all the way to Jeep Arch. The hike back to the loop sign is gorgeous. You can see red rock walls towering all throughout the landscape. The panoramic view of the surrounding canyons and mesas is better than any IMAX movie screen could ever reproduce. Depending on what time of day you're doing this hike, the light and shadows can really be a photographer's dream.
Timber is such a good girl on the trails. She loves looking and sniffing around and finding her way. Sometimes I have to tell her the trail is a different way and she listens. She is seriously the best trail buddy... as long as she is the trail leader :)
Jeep Arch has become more popular through the years as other trails have also increased in popularity. This was once a trail mainly used by locals and those who have hiked many of the other trails in the area.
Once you get back to the loop sign, you can start looking for the green paint markers on the ground. That will lead you back to the trailhead. You'll start to see the Colorado River again, then the road, and then the train tracks. Back through the culvert where your car (hopefully a Jeep!) is waiting for you. You earned a hearty burger and fries after this adventure. Congratulations!
コメント