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A fairly boring trail with a big payoff.


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Map Key

1.5

Miles

2.3

KM

79%

Runnable

6,555' 1,998 m

High

5,865' 1,788 m

Low

745' 227 m

Up

56' 17 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

98%

Max Grade (45°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Need to Know

No bathrooms at the trailhead.

Runner Notes

Dirt track, can get very muddy in rain or snowmelt.

Description

A small parking area is a pull-off from Highway 13, blink and you might miss it.

There is a gate between the parking lot and the trailhead, be sure that this closes behind you. The trail weaves rather flat and uninteresting at first through sage brush and eventually some juniper and pinon pine, mostly with a very gentle uphill slope. There are a couple of benches for those who may need a rest along the way. The scenery improves further along the trail.

A high point at about 0.6 miles gives a nice view of the way you came and the mountains across the wide valley behind you. The big payoff is at the end. It requires some bouldering and steep shale hopping, but only for about a 1/10th of mile until you get the best view of the 150 ft. sandstone arch cutting across the sky. From the right angles, you get a terrific view of the mountain ridge line opposite framed by the arch. This is a very hot, dry run in the summer months, but is much more pleasant spring and fall, and still very doable in the winter.

Flora & Fauna

Sage and Juniper perfume the air year round.

Contacts

Shared By:

Natalie Grybiene

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 4 votes

#23343

Overall
  3.8 from 4 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#1,816

in Colorado

#23,343

Overall
6 Views Last Month
357 Since Dec 10, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Inside the arch looking out.
Dec 4, 2021 near Rifle, CO
The arch.
Dec 4, 2021 near Rifle, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 32 days ago
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