Tower Arch

Tower Arch is located in the remote Klondike Bluffs area in Arches National Park. If you're looking at the park map, you can see the unimproved Salt Valley Road that leads south then west from the main road towards Klondike Bluffs. The road is rough in a few places, but can easily be traversed in any passenger car (do not attempt to drive this road in wet weather, the sand washes make this road impassable when they get soggy). The great thing about the Klondike Bluffs, other than the spectacular Tower Arch, is that most park visitors don't bother heading out to this seldom visited area. If you're looking for a respite from the Arches crowds, then drive the 7 miles on Salt Valley Road to reach the trailhead.

The trailhead has a small parking area, a vault toilet, and an interpretive sign that will educate visitors about the Klondike Bluffs. The trail is primitive and marked by cairns the entire way, so keep your eyes peel for the stone markers to keep your way (please don't build new rock cairns). Almost immediately, hikers will have to scale a short and steep section of slickrock and boulders. Some moderate scrambling is required, but the section is not very long and should be easy for healthy hikers. Most of the elevation gain on the hike will come from this section. After ascending to the mesa top, you will be treated to fantastic panoramas over Salt Valley and the rock formations of the now distant Devils Garden.

The trail will travel steadily downhill and take hikers into a valley lined by cliff walls, steep spires, and thin towers. About a mile into the hike you will come into view of the Marching Men, a line of tall spires that stand atop a rock fin in a row much like soldiers in formation. From here, you will encounter a steep section of soft sand dunes. Once you reach the dunes, Tower Arch is only a short hike away.

Tower Arch features a large opening of 92 feet from base to base. While not the largest arch in the park, the size and immensity of the arch makes it an awe-inspiring sight. A short scramble over slickrock will take you into the opening of the arch, if you packed a lunch, now is a good time to have a seat, enjoy the view, and have a bite to eat.

For the history buffs, look for Alex Ringhoffer's inscription near the arch's base that celebrates the arch's discovery. Ringhoffer was a prospector and early explorer of the Klondike Bluffs area and one of the principle advocates for national park designation in the Arches region. Please do not touch the inscription and do not create new inscriptions of your own (take care to leave the area as you found it for future visitors to enjoy). Feel free to explore the area, but take care to avoid areas of cryptobiotic soil.