Named for its naturally formed ochre-hued arches, the strangely beautiful highlights of arid Arches National Park are best seen on foot or via a vehicle on a leisurely sight-seeing drive.
This trail runs through Clover Canyon to the Upper Salt Wash and then down along the wash to Wolfe Ranch. You'll need to fight through some thickets and navigate steep slickrock sections on this backcountry route. It begins at the Sand Dune Arch trailhead.
Location:
Along the eastern side of Arches National Park
Length:
8.3 miles oneway
Difficulty:
Difficult
Time:
4 to 6 hours
Elevation Range:
-900
Elevation Change:
-900
Season:
Year round
Additional Details:
Hiking in the Arches backcountry has some special perils. In the summer, temperatures routinely climb above 100 degrees F. There are few reliable sources of water so an ample supply -- at least 1 gallon per day -- must be carried. Bring a hat and sunscreen. In all seasons, but most notably spring and fall, sudden rainstorms can cause dangerous flash flooding in narrow canyons. And remember, it''s a lot easier to climb up a steep section of slickrock than to come back down...A permit is required to camp overnight, which is available for a small fee at the visitor center. There are no designated campsites in the backcountry and no fires are allowed.
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