Arch Hunting | Dome Plateau Area

[IntrepidXJ]

On Saturday morning, Amanda and I headed out to the Dome Plateau area north of Moab in search of some arches. The main arch I wanted to find was Covert Arch above Lost Spring Canyon. I figured since we were planning on looking for at least one arch, I should stop by as many as I could find throughout the day and get some photos.

Our first destination for the day would be Covert Arch, so I got off the interstate and took the Yellow Cat Road to the Dome Plateau Road, across The Highlands, and then made our way out on Winter Camp Ridge. When we drove as close as we could to the arch, we began our 1.5 mile hike to find the arch.

Views down into Lost Spring Canyon were very cool.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171063-2/IMG_5156.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171066-2/IMG_5159.jpg

We followed the canyon rim for a ways and then trekked across a sandy area.

Shadow on the sand
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171072-2/IMG_5172.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171081-2/IMG_5178.jpg

Lots of sand. Luckily it was still moist, so walking across it was pretty easy.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171084-2/IMG_5180.jpg

Then we finally found Covert Arch.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171180-2/IMG_5192_3_4.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171183-2/IMG_5198_199_200.jpg

Close-up
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171186-2/IMG_5216_7_8.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

Then I hiked around to a different overlook directly across from the arch
and took this self-portrait.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171093-2/IMG_5256.jpg

After taking a number of photos of the arch, we hiked back to the Jeep. I finished up this branch of the road on Winter Camp Ridge, since I had not traveled this section the last time I was here.

My tracks on the sandy Winter Camp Ridge trail.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171099-2/IMG_5273.jpg

This sandy trail ended at a very cool overlook at the boundary of Arches National Park.

View from the overlook into Arches. You might be able to spot some familiar arches on the horizon.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171195-2/IMG_5297_8_9.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171105-2/IMG_5303.jpg

You could even see the top of Delicate Arch from here.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171198-2/IMG_5317_8_9.jpg

We had lunch at this overlook and then made our way back to the Dome Plateau Road, where we continued on to reach La Boca Arch.

Headed back out
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171117-2/IMG_5344.jpg

La Boca Arch
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171126-2/IMG_5365.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171135-2/IMG_5382.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171147-2/IMG_5422.jpg

Our next destination would bring us to the caves at Caves Spring.

Caves in the distance
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171150-2/IMG_5423.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171165-2/IMG_5439.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171171-2/IMG_5446.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171174-2/IMG_5456.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171207-2/IMG_5465.jpg

From the caves we headed across Squaw Park, then crossed and followed Yellow Jacket Canyon until we reached the Kokopelli Trail. At this intersection we headed north to some good dinosaur tracks that Amanda had not seen yet.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171219-2/IMG_5502.jpg

I like the reflection of the clouds on my hood.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171222-2/IMG_5509.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/170995-2/IMG_5515.jpg

HDR of a dinosaur track and my Jeep
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171201-2/IMG_5525_6_7.jpg

These are some of the best dinosaur tracks that I know about around Moab.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171228-2/IMG_5553.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171012-2/IMG_5570.jpg

After spending some quality time photographing the dinosaur tracks we made our way back down along Yellow Jacket Canyon and found two more arches along the way.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171021-2/IMG_5639.jpg

First was Squaw Window.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171027-2/IMG_5659.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171024-2/IMG_5648.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

Followed by Arrow Head Arch.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171036-2/IMG_5680.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171039-2/IMG_5688.jpg

We searched for Pothole Arch, but were unable to locate it this trip. Before heading down towards the Dewey Bridge we took a quick side trip to an overlook above the Colorado River just opposite of Pole Canyon. While at the overlook we found a geocache hidden there as well.

View from the overlook
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171045-2/IMG_5694.jpg

Amanda signed the log on the geocache.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171048-2/IMG_5696.jpg

Before heading back home we made a quick last stop along the highway at some petroglyphs, since I've driven by these a ton of times, but don't think I had ever stopped at them before...

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171057-2/IMG_5719.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/171060-2/IMG_5728.jpg

Not a bad way to go though half a tank of gas :)

[moab mark]

Nice, looks like you are getting some use out of the new ride. Lost Springs looks cool.

Mark

[accadacca]

Yep, breakin' in that beast. :banana:

[Caddis]

Randy, you rock! I look forward to seeing your TR's.
Keep 'em comin'!

Gary

[offpiste]

Another great TR Randy thanks for sharing.