Corona Arch Hike - Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah has spectacular hiking, and the Corona Arch hike is a fairly short, fantastic example. Corona Arch and the accompanying Bowtie Arch aren't located in any designated park, so access is open and free. If you are hiking around Moab, don't miss this one!

Corona Arch - Moab, Utah

We got on Potash Road in Moab and drove along the Colorado River.  There are some petroglyphs on the tall red cliffs right next to the road, but we didn't stop to see them.

The area was loaded with rock climbers, so we kept driving until we reached the Corona Arch trailhead parking lot, 10 miles from Hwy 191.

It was still a bit overcast as we climbed up the first part of the trail.  This is the view back over the Gold Bar Recreation Area across the Colorado.

 

 

But after crossing some railroad tracks and moving on up the trail, the clouds started to break up.

 

 

This Rock Wren teased us bouncing in and out of the rocks and singing his happy Spring tune.

 

 

Moving on, we crossed a sloping section where there is a cable for support.

 

 

It wasn't really necessary on this dry day, but I bet it comes in handy when the rocks are wet.

Soon after that cable, we rounded the bend and got our first look at Corona Arch.

 

 

It's a huge arch, but it takes a minute to see it as it blends in with the rocks from this angle.

A little farther around the bend and we could see both Corona Arch on the right and Bowtie Arch on the left.

 

 

But of course we wanted to get closer.  There is another cable line to help you up the rocks. 

 

 

Now that one definitely makes things easier.

 

 

One small ladder and we were on our own from there.

 

 

The desert flowers are starting to bloom adding some additional color to the surroundings.

 

 

Approaching Bowtie Arch.

 

 

Bowtie Arch has a "seep" spring on the ledge below, and there are some lovely little flowers growing ... just above Linda's head in this photo.

 

 

We stopped there for a snack and to peel a layer off.  We actually got hot on this hike.  It was a nice, peaceful place to relax and listen to the drip, drip, drip, of the spring.

I got up close and personal with one of the many lizards running around.

 

 

We let the three other folks on the trail move on, and then we walked over to Corona Arch.  That little blue dot under the left side of the arch is me.

 

 

Told you it was HUGE.  There are photos around town of a small plane flying through this arch.

Here's a shot from the arch back toward the way we came.

 

 

We finally pulled ourselves away from this wondrous place.

On the way out, it was time for some more "artsy" photos.

Both arches with a cave in the canyon below.

 

 

 

I had to lie down on the rocks to get just the right angle for this twisted Juniper with Bowtie Arch in the background.

 

 

The same beautiful Juniper with both arches.

 

 

Another Juniper hanging over the edge of the cliff with Corona Arch in the background.

 

 

This area sure makes picture-taking easy.

Nearing the trailhead, we passed this mix of yellow and purple flowers.

 

 

And the skies had cleared enough to take this shot that I had avoided on the way in.

 

 

Looking out over the railroad and the river as we approached the end of the trail.

 

 

That was a "can't miss" three-mile roundtrip hike.  No park, no entrance fee, just park and walk to two fantastic arches.