Jeep Arch

 This is a fantastic hike. Jeep Arch (as known as Gold Bar Arch) is quite impressive and the entire route to it is scenic. It is just 4 mile round trip with around 1000 feet elevation gain. 

Jeep Arch is less known compared to the very famous Corona Arch hike in the Moab area, although it is really close each other. It means that you could get more quiet time. We didn't know about Jeep Arch. We learned about it when we got an advertisement brochure from a grocery store in Moab area and it was listed in the Moab area hikes. At first I was not interested due to the name of Jeep Arch. I love any arches, but I thought that the trail is for Jeep (4WD) driving to the arch. There are some 4WD routes in the area. It is not really great to hike when a lot of 4WD driving there. We looked up and found it a hiking foot trail, so we decided to try it. 

Jeep Arch

Jeep Arch

I had never thought that, but after I posted this hike's photographs on Facebook, Ms.H commented that the arch does look like Jeep. Look at the left picture. I think it does! This maybe a reason the nickname is Jeep Arch and the actual name is Gold Bar Arch?

In this hike, the loop actually goes through the Jeep Arch. The picture above is the one about to walk under the arch. The arch shape is unique. Interesting that it is not smooth. From the south side, the snow-capped mountains are seen in the distance. Those are LaSal mountains. What a contrast with desert environment to high alpine area.

Jeep Arch

Then the left picture is the arch view from other side. Cool to see the arch from both side. It was lucky we were able to see the shadow of arch (below picture).

Arch shadow

Spire

The hike is not only for the arch, you see many interesting rocks such as spire in the left picture. You also go under the train track. Also there is a great view of Colorado river. Easy to sink into the beauty of nature in many ways.

Colorado river