This is an easy 3. There are a few ledges and a few areas that would be difficult for a small vehicle. 4-wheel drive is also required, especially since there are also a few sandy washes.
Location
This trail is an alternate way out of Arches National Park and connects to Highway 191 just north of Moab, UT.
Trailhead
The eastern side starts directly across the road from Balanced Rock in Arches National Park. GPS coordinates are 38.701743, -109.566903.
The western side stars off of Highway 191. There is a sign marking the turn-off that says Willow Springs Rd. The turn-off is 8.3 miles north of the main entrance to Arches National Park. GPS coordinates are 38.696681, -109.698697.
Description
This is a short way to get into or leave Arches National Park. Most of the road is relatively smooth and does not require 4-wheel drive. The area over the ridge has a few ledges and small climbs that are not difficult but require 4-wheel drive and a careful line if you do not have much clearance. The western portion near Highway 191 has a few sandy washes that also require 4-wheel drive to avoid getting bogged down in the sand.
The views are nice and there is an area with dinosaur tracks. The dinosaur tracks are fun because you can walk right along them and see the footprints left behind. You can even tell it was a three-toed dinosaur that left them. There is a place to pull off the road and an information sign that marks the location of the dinosaur tracks. The tracks are located on the south side of the road about 4.4 miles from the turn-off at Balanced Rock or 3.5 miles from the turn-ff from highway 191.
This trail only took us about 1 hour, including the time we spent looking at the dinosaur tracks.
GPS files and map coming soon!
