Hike to Jeep Arch

Jeep arch is located up the very scenic Culvert Canyon just outside Moab, UT. When coming into Moab from the north turn right onto UT 279/Potash Road and drive about 10.2 miles along side the Colorado river. You will come up to a pull out area on the right side of the road, near a large culvert under the railroad tracks, about 0.3 miles from the Corona Arch parking area. The trail sign is not easily identifiable from the road, but the trail head is at the start of the culvert. 

Highly suggest that you are familiar with following a cairned trail as the trail is not always well marked and requires attention to the surrounding area. Please don't walk on the black raised sand or rocks, as this is a complex of algae, moss and fungus that play a important role in maintaining the desert ecology.

At the start of the trail head go through the culvert, which is a very interesting way to start any hike. There will be a sign to your left that will take you up the higher route to Jeep Arch. In addition, there is a trail to proceed straight through the lower portion Culvert Canyon, which I took on the way down for change of scenery, but found it nicer to start higher up. You will climb to the railroad tracks for about 0.1 miles before you take a right on the trail, passing through a small opening in the fence. To start the cairned trail can be hard to follow if you don't pick up on the cairns right away, but if you keep your eyes open the boot beaten trail becomes easier with time. At 0.8 miles the trail starts to turn left along the canyon eventually climbing a couple switchbacks and then curves back toward the right, before crossing a run off/drainage at about 1 mile in. 

You will continue up the trail enjoying the various scenic terrain. The trail again can become hard to follow at this point so pay close attention to the cairns and the boot beaten trail.  After about a mile of gradual elevation gains the trail starts to bend to the left again. Right before the bend you will see a sign stating "LOOP", but continue left. You will start to approach a lone massive sandstone spire. Follow the trail as it continues up a very steep section where you will be doing a little climbing to the base of the spire. Take a breather here and enjoy beautiful views of the canyon and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. 

After the spire continue to the right, making a gradual decent to trail. You will have to pick up a small cairn trail before it turns into back into a boot beaten path. The trail will go for another 0.5 miles before you reach the arch. Here if you search the left side of the arch there is an easy way up to sit inside the arch and enjoy views from multiple angles and perspectives. If you are up for an adventure you can walk down the path on the other side of the hike for a loop trail to the south and back down through the canyon. A trail I highly suggest and makes for a scenic canyon hike back to the trail head. 

BLM Info for the area: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo...