A poetic look at the Druid Arch

A poetic look at the Druid Arch

A spectacular hike any time of the year
Thomas Holt Ward climbs a friction pitch to reach the best vantage point on the rarely visited west side of Druid Arch.
This diminutive, unnamed arch is located on the trail to the Squaw Flat Campground, 0.1 mile off the Elephant Hill Trail. Everyone can’t help but slither through this tiny window. The La Sal Mountains are in the east.
Children thrive on the 6.4-mile roundtrip hike from the Squaw Flat Campground to the pass at the head of Big Spring Canyon. With sticky shoes, they can scamper up friction pitches and climb “The Lump,” a gentle knoll on the pass.
The hike to Druid Arch affords endless opportunity for free play on sandstone. Here, Thomas Holt Ward is romping on an island of rock surrounded by other inviting pinnacles.

A poetic look at the Druid Arch

Thomas Holt Ward climbs a friction pitch to reach the best vantage point on the rarely visited west side of Druid Arch.
This diminutive, unnamed arch is located on the trail to the Squaw Flat Campground, 0.1 mile off the Elephant Hill Trail. Everyone can’t help but slither through this tiny window. The La Sal Mountains are in the east.
Children thrive on the 6.4-mile roundtrip hike from the Squaw Flat Campground to the pass at the head of Big Spring Canyon. With sticky shoes, they can scamper up friction pitches and climb “The Lump,” a gentle knoll on the pass.
The hike to Druid Arch affords endless opportunity for free play on sandstone. Here, Thomas Holt Ward is romping on an island of rock surrounded by other inviting pinnacles.
Druid Arch Trail

Travel: From Monticello, Utah, drive 14 miles north on U.S. 191 toward Moab. At Church Rock, turn west on Utah Route 211. Pass the Newspaper Rock petroglyph site. Enter the park, passing the Visitor Center and the road to Squaw Flat Campground A. Stay on the main road, following signs for the Elephant Hill Trailhead. The last 2.5 miles are dirt with tight bends. Allow a solid three hours from Durango.
Squaw Flat Campground: There are 26 spacious and spectacular sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, year-round. With climbing features at every site, this is a children’s paradise. Expect bathrooms, fire grates, picnic tables, tent pads and water. The fee is $15 per night. Squaw Flat fills early every day March-June and September-October.
Distance and Elevation Gain: 11 miles round trip from Elephant Hill Trailhead; 13 miles to return to Squaw Flat Campground A; add 0.5 miles to see the back of the arch; 2,235 feet of elevation gain for the 13.5-mile option.
Time: 5 to 7½ hours.
Difficulty: Trail and cairned route; navigation is moderate, must be able to follow cairns; no exposure; Class 2+ scrambling; carry all the water you will need.
Map: Trails Illustrated, Needles District: Canyonlands National Park No. 313.

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