Arch Trail – blue lotus adventures

DETAILS

Directions:

From Main Street in Leeds, UT, travel north to the intersection with Babylon Rd. Turn right and travel to the border with Red Cliffs Desert Preserve. 1.5 miles from the boundary is the Sand Cove parking area. Take the Flicker Trail to Sand Cove campground. The trailhead is at the back of the campground

Equipment:

Map
Plenty of water
sturdy hiking shoes
Camera
Hat and sun glasses

Hike Info:

The trail is 1.5 miles out and back. Trail conditions have deep sand in sections, especially the steep sections.

The Arch Trail starts from the Sand Cove Campground. A 4×4 is needed to reach the campground or you can hike in from the Sand Cove Campground along the Flicker Trail. From the top of the campground the trail enters a gap and initially is easy to follow. However, as you descend there is many drainage’s and all seem to have cairns. It is difficult to pick the correct one. I descended all the way to the Virgin River where the trail ends and missed the arch. I found the arch on the way back up. I strongly suggest you track your route with a GPS or phone app so you can follow it on the return.

A trail passes through this small arch and is one of the few places you find some shade. To access the arch, you must descend a very steep sand slope. The sand is so deep it will cover your shoes. Not too much of a problem to descend but you have to return the same way. Be sure to hike this in the early morning!