...they are doing WHAT now? | Hiking for arches in Moab

14 May Hiking for arches in Moab

Posted at 10:22h in Hiking, Utah, Van Life, What we did today by sarah 1 Comment

Monday May 6 2024 – Jewel Tibbets Arch

Moab is probably best known for Arches National Park — and while I have yet to go to Arches or Canyonlands National Parks, on this particular week I felt like perusing the wealth of free BLM hiking and camping surrounding both parks. This allowed me to go without a schedule, whereas Arches National Park is now on a timed permit entry system.

For my first free hike I went off my good friend Lindsey’s recommendation about the Jewel Tibbets Arch, situated up highway 313 towards Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands NP. The trail itself was a short 1.5 miles long so I chose to park at the trail system entrance and tack another 2.5 miles onto my trek. The trail system wound through the sandy plateau through blooming desert vegetation under the perfect sunny day weather.

The trail lead me to the edge of a dramatic jaw-dropping view of Hell Roaring Canyon and the arch named for local ranchers that brought their friends to view it — Jewel Tibbets. I was back at the van after a couple hours of hiking but wow! What a great introduction to the offerings in the area…

Tuesday May 7 2024 – Corona, Bowtie, and Pinto Arches

Keeping with my BLM arch theme for a second day, I drove up the spectacular Potash road to the popular Corona arch trailhead. Another easy hike just over a mile to Corona Arch, I decided once again to tack on the neighboring Pinto Arch as well to round my hike out to a little over 3.5 miles.

This trail was immediately dramatic as it climbed over the railroad tracks to the upper ledges of the canyon walls leading to the arches.

The trail featured a short vertical assent assisted with chains and a ladder .. a dramatic way to reach the next shelf of the canyon rim!

I finished the remaining half mile around the canyon rim, past Bowtie Arch with its perfect drainage garden running through and finally to the massive Corona Arch, perched on the outward most edge of the canyon.

I completed the last leg of the hike to Pinto Arch, which was similar to Bowtie Arch but even bigger.. and featured more epic views of the Colorado River cutting through Moab Canyon.