This is a one of a kind, spectacular hike and arches. There is some challenging route finding and rock scrambling and a few of the spots seem a little exposed, but it was so worth it.
★
★
★
★
★
AWESOME! Be sure to start to the right bc that's the way all directionals are signed (if you can find them). Gaia saved our butts keeping us "mostly" on trail.
★
★
★
★
★
Steep hike but great payoff. Could be very hot in summer. I did the hike on May 1 and it was 75 degrees so not too bad since the wind was cool.
★
★
★
Fantastic way to tour the park and enjoy its diversity from dunes, to rock formations and distinct arches. While we only hiked to Eye of the Whale there are others including Tower Arch worth visiting via these backcountry trails. Plus the 4WD trails are appealing onto themselves entering the park via Willow Spring Rd is an opportunity to see dinosaur tracks on the wild. This entry requires an off road capable 4WD as it requires clearance and sufficient articulation to enter the park. The main north/south trail also has large technical features that require a capable vehicle and skilled driver especially if you plan to travel it in a South to North trajectory.
★
★
★
★
★
Challenging hike in a few spots, initial climb very icy and spikes helped a lot. Followed by gentle decent/ ascent with stunning views. Then a very sandy climb. Marching men and Arches at the end were awesome.
★
★
★
★
★
Crowds on the front side but very little traffic on the back side of the loop. Beautiful arches. Amazing views of San Juan’s, salt wash valley etc.
★
★
★
★
★
One of the best Arches we’ve ever seen. Surrounding views are breathtaking. Spectacular! Easy hike, didn’t see a soul.
★
★
★
★
★
Very worth the long uphill ascent. the Petroglyphs were super cool to look at and you could get up pretty close to them to get a good look at it. the hike up was a good challenge and the pay off was worth it. My hat almost flew off near the top, I wish there was a warning or someone told us as we walked up.
★
★
★
★
★
I parked in the lot near the end of Devils Garden Campground. From there I walked to the southern entrance of the Broken Arch loop trail. From the parking lot around the loop and back to the parking lot is almost exactly 2 miles. It’s a pretty walk that takes you through or under the Broken Arch.
I left my car at the Devils Garden Campground and walked up to the Devils Garden trail head, about half a mile. The trail from there is very clear and well used. I was there in February, which is not a popular time, so there weren’t many people on the trail.
A mile or two up the trail, the primitive trail loop splits off. I took the loop to the right, going counterclockwise. But obviously, you can go in either direction. The primitive Trail Loop has some tricky patches that require a little scrambling across steep rocks. Also, this time of year, I had to deal with some icy spots on slick rocks. You definitely need to be a little nimble to do this trail, particularly at this time of year.
That said, the rewards are spectacular! The views are stunning, and the arches them selves are amazing to see, as well as the “fins,” tall, thin rock formations jutting above the trail in some spots. The Dark Angel itself, is a tall phallic column at the end of a half mile trail that takes off from the far end of the Primitive Trail loop. It’s worth the extra trek. Again there are great views and the Dark Angel is a good spot for lunch.
On the way back down, I took every opportunity to see the arches that are slightly off the trail, like Double O Arch, Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, Pine Tree arch, and Tunnel arch. They’re all quite spectacular in their own way.
If you’re in Moab, this is definitely a hike to check out.
★
★
★
★
★
I have wanted to take this restricted hike for many years. Today was perfect! Not one person did we see!
★
★
★
★
★
We had the trail all to ourselves and we headed out around 9:30. Such a stunning day!
We did the whole loop. The second half is PRIMITIVE and there were a couple hairy sections. One section would dissuade me from ever going again!
So very spectacular!
★
★
★
★
★
Such a great spot, easy hike with a slight elevation gain. With an absolute beauty of a shot.
★
★
★
★
★
Amazing canyon. Nice downclimbs. Potholes. Slots. Great raps.
Solid 1.5 out is mosquito friendly so walk fast and wear a layer.
Final rap is like coming down into Jurassic park
★
★
★
★
★
Amazing canyon. Nice downclimbs. Potholes. Slots. Great raps.
Solid 1.5 out is mosquito friendly so walk fast and wear a layer.
Final rap is like coming down into Jurassic park
★
★
★
★
★
This was an awesome hike! I strongly recommend starting on the first branch of the primitive trail and working your way back around counter clockwise. The scenery was absolutely amazing! There are a few spots towards the North end of the trail where you have to navigate some large slopes. This seemed easier going up them vs seeing the folks going the opposite direction try to navigate them.
★
★
★
★
★
Thursday Sept 22,2022
This hike has it all. Scramble up and down over rocky trail. Across narrow ridges. Fabulous views. Fewer people. Loose the crowds after a mile or more. I was able to give some advice to less experienced hikers. And give guidance to another. I went out every sideline for all the arches.
★
★
★
★
★
This is a moderately hard but has a great reward at end. Well worth the effort.
★
★
★
★
★
Extremely picturesque but not for the faint of heart for those who have a fear of height and falling.
★
★
★
★
★
This is one of the longest hikes in the park but definitely not too difficult. We like to cover trails quickly and so it is easy to get off trail quickly if you are not paying attention to the location of the cairns and the few directional signs mounted on posts. Pay attention to large dead wood and logs placed in off-trails to keep from straying from main trails. We loved the hike just before sunset on the high western side of the garden as we were able to see far off in the distance in the bright light and even took great pics of our shadows!
★
★
★
★
★
This is a great hike...if you get there early and avoid crowds. Also do the loop and not just out and back. It’s 7.8 miles including all the side trails to the various arches and less than 1000 feet elevation gain. And you have to see all the arches. Well worth it. Listened to advice to do it counterclockwise which was the correct play. Most people are going the opposite way and counterclockwise sort of builds up the views as you move farther along. Not so many people on the “primitive” section. Easy to navigate with the many cairns, branches blocking possible errors, and even an arrow or two. We went in October and had 28 degree temp to start but up to 50s by the end. Would be brutal in the summer given the sun exposure unless you left extremely early. It took about 5 hours but we played around a little and really soaked in all the remarkable views. Would be a five star rating if there were fewer people.
★
★
★
★
This is an easier hike with not much elevation.. gorgeous rock formations abound...Yet, Even during early summer months the temp can climb well over 100 degrees..Ensure you hike at the right time of day..Depending on the time there isn’t much shade and the suns reflection off the red rocks is draining..H2O up always...
★
★
★
★
★
Not for the ‘fear of heights’ crowd. Had a lot of fun. Double O arch is way cool!
★
★
★
★
Great hike. When you get over the initial hill, you walk up a longer rock face that increases elevation. Once you get to the top, not much more to go. Don’t miss the arch window right before the Delicate Arch. Climb up to it for an awesome picture.
★
★
★
★
★
I enjoyed going out on the developed trail and back on the primitive trail. If you’ve got the time, the smaller arches like Navajo and Primitive arch were great. The primitive trail wasn’t that difficult, there was some scrambling, but nothing terrible.
★
★
★
★
★
Arches National Park, Hiked Park Avenue. Spectacular and not too difficult. They rated it moderate.
I recommend starting at the bottom and hiking up to the beginning of the stair, that way your hiking downhill on your return and u don’t have to go up or down the stairs
★
★
★
★
★
Nothing like Colorado! One of a kind. I have never been to Utah, and I love it!
★
★
★
★
★
Awesome hike. Make sure you go left at the split. You will elevate first then finish the loop on the lower section.
Make sure to follow the carns (little piles of rocks) they mark the trail.
We did the hike with a family of 6. Kids ages 8-17. Did great. Just walk at a leisurely pace.
★
★
★
★
★
Beautiful panoramic views the entire time, I recommend taking the main trail to double o arch and the primitive trail back as there are several scrambles that are much easier to go down than up
★
★
★
★
A wonderful journey through an Amazing NP. As I explored each new arch I became even more thankful that our country had the foresight to protect this area in Utah for all Americans as well as foreign visitors to see.
★
★
★
★
★
This was out to double o arch passing many others including landscape arch. Mostly dirt and flat rock. Once small section on a rock outcropping with drop offs
★
★
★
★
This was out to delicate arch. It’s mostly over flat rock with a short section with a drop off near the arch. The arch area is open and it wasn’t very crowded
★
★
★
★
stars
stars
stars
