Corona Arch Trail

Moab, UT
5-27

Corona Arch Trail is located 9.9 miles downstream on Utah 279 (Potash Rd.) from the junction with Hwy 191. The trail ascends a short, steep slope to the railroad track.

We could see where the rocks were blasted for the tracks...after crossing the tracks we walked through a gate. The gate protects the desert big-horned sheep lambing grounds.

 

The trail followed the rim of Bootlegger Canyon. I was a little disappointed we didn't see any big-horned sheep.

 The trail changes from sand and rocks to slickrock.. As we got closer to Corona Arch, there were a couple of safety cables along some steep portions...

...as well as a series of steps cut into the slickrock and a short ladder to climb.

High up in the Navajo Sandstone cliff is Bowtie Arch. This arch is a good example of a pothole arch. Water eroded a large pothole or water tank atop the cliff. The result is a hole that enlarges due to rainstorm runoff and creates the arch.

 

 

Just passed Bowtie Arch, the trail follows the slickrock slope to Corona Arch. From a distance, the arch doesn't look very big...it has a  140-foot by 105-foot opening. 

This is one of the best lunch spots we have ever had!

There were lots of wildflowers and flowering shrubs along the trail.

Thrifty Goldenweed

Utah Daisy

This is the fruit from the narrow leaf yucca. I read  that the fleshy fruit is sweet...we will just take googles word for it!

What a great way to spend Memorial Day...

We have 3 new members this week...thanks for joining our adventure!

 

 

Y'all come back!