Hiking the Jeep Arch Trail, Exploring Moab and More!
GRAVITY HAUS, MOAB
We recently spent a couple nights in Moab, Utah to rejuvenate weary road trip legs and soak up some sun for a couple of days. We’ve visited Moab before and hiked lesser-known trails, so on this excursion I had at least a rudimentary lay of the land. I was shocked to find Moab all but emptied of the throngs of tourism. Apparently late May to early June is their shoulder season and, after arriving in town in the early afternoon to minimal foot traffic downtown, we soon found our trip was perfectly timed to embrace all that Moab had to offer!
Our trip south took us from Olympia, Washington to Twin Falls, Idaho for one night before pushing south to Moab. I did not book a hotel until the very last minute - something I’ve learned in the past years of travel, if you book AFTER 3pm, you might receive substantial discounts on AMAZING hotels, however; you also might risk accommodations that are less than stellar. In this case - WE SCORED!
Aaron and I are not fussy people. In the past, we have tent camped through 24 states and navigated tight living quarters out of the back of a Subaru Forrester, but in our ‘seasoned years’ we certainly enjoy the finer things in life, albeit prefer unpretentious accommodations. Enter in the Gravity Haus!
Gravity Haus is simply the perfect hotel for anyone wanting to embrace everything the outdoor lifestyle that Moab has to offer. The hotel is sleek, stylish, Euro-modern, and leaves no stone unturned in its desire to cater for the outdoor enthusiast. Our hotel room was simply perfection - and with Moab’s premier source of outdoor apparel and gear situated literally downstairs, what’s not to love? Think REI beneath your feet!!!
Check in was smooth and the receptionist was quick to ensure we understood the perils of adventure in the altitude and dry desert topography. She not only explained hydration but pointed to endless free packets of a quick hydrate blend provided by the hotel for free. As a hydration enthusiast I appreciated her education on the topic as the temperatures in Moab are nothing to joke about.
Retiring to our room to plan for the morning hike to Jeep Arch, we were pleasantly surprised at the level of thought that went into our suite. Bike Racks? Check. Place to hang packs? Check. Coffee, refrigerator, spacious room? Check Check Check.
Aaron and I are normally people who hit trailheads well before the break of dawn. We’ve been doing this for years to ensure parking, minimal crowds, AND stellar photography but on this trip we slept so soundly that we didn’t arrive at the trailhead situated literally 20 minutes away, until 6:30 - nearly an hour and a half past sunrise!!
JEEP ARCH TRAIL
We had previously hiked the Corona and Bow Tie Arch (see the video on our YouTube) so the Jeep Arch was the next obvious choice. WOW - same as Corona and Bow Tie - you just can’t go wrong on a trail by yourself absorbing the crisp, fresh morning air sans the crowds! In fact, we didn’t see a sole until we were halfway back to the trailhead and only then encountered one person. Solitude visiting jaw dropping scenery? Yes please!
Don’t forget to download All Trails before you begin as you’ll need it to help navigate on this hike. To find the trailhead, walk through the storm drain beneath the railroad tracks.
The trail is listed as a moderate 3.7 mile hike with 954 feet of elevation gain and we certainly felt the additional effort of hiking at 4,770 feet as we are accustomed to life at sea level in the Pacific Northwest, but with steady progress and taking endless breaks for photos, this hike is easily doable for any fitness level. The bluish-green blazes are prevalent until you reach the loop trail portion, thereafter you navigate by cairns and All Trails becomes very useful. You are fully exposed to the sun on this hike, packing in lots of water and the essentials to protect yourself from the elements is essential for a comfortable adventure.
After meandering through brilliant reds, yellows, and vibrant greens of the rocky landscape we soon reached the fork in the road and the decision of which path to proceed. I had read previous reviews on All Trails which some said counterclockwise was the easier way to go. After completing the entire hike we would agree that exertion-wise taking a right at the trail is perhaps easier, but there is a 10’ or so rock wall you must navigate and that could be difficult for some. With only two foot holds and minimal places to use to pull yourself up, we sure found it a tad daunting, especially with a bit of a drop to the side. Eek. If we can do it though, you can too! Be careful walking on loose gravel and soil as the smooth rock provides the most ‘grip' on the steep inclines.
The expansive views near the arch are just draw-dropping gorgeous and I could only imagine what the area would look like at sunrise or sunset. Someday we’ll venture back and ensure we are there for golden hour photography, but even hiking mid-morning, this hike just did not disappoint! Take the time to sit and catch your breath after that final push up the incline to the arch. We spent quite a while taking in the sights, listening to the song birds, and gazing upon the beauty of the towering red rocks. How the elements have carved these magnificent arches is astounding, water being the element that has shaped it the most. The darkening discoloration on the rock structures provided by desert varnish is profound on some of the rocks and provides a stunning contrast against the lighter colored backdrops. It’s amazing to think what it takes to create the varied hues you find in the rocks. Mineral composition, rain, wind, and gravity all provide the perfect recipe for a beautiful canvas the American Indians took advantage of in carving their petroglyphs. Be sure and stop along SR-279 on your way back to Moab and take in the towering rocks and petroglyphs.
With stomachs rumbling and the sun increasing in intensity it was time to make our way back to the truck and into Moab for lunch! The opposite side of the arch was much easier to climb down, and we made short work of the trip back. This side had fewer trail markings but again All Trails was very helpful in keeping us on course and you really can’t get too lost when you can easily spot the meandering Colorado River in the distance.
PROPER BREWING COMPANY
We are brewing company enthusiasts and generally try to visit at least one locale in the areas we explore. Usually known for creative eats along with award winning brews, brewpubs hit all the right scorecards for the foodies in us and Proper Brewing hit it out of the park! Aaron ordered the Oh My Cod, a fried cod, tartar sauce, cabbage, tomato, pickled red onion sandwich and I opted for the Notorious P.I.G, a pulled pork, house BBQ sauce, coleslaw, pickled jalapenos, onion ring mound of heaven! After one bite I knew I was doomed to eat the whole thing, the flavor profile was an intense dance upon your taste buds, but knowing Aaron needed to try my sandwich, we shared our portions. After a gorgeous morning hike and good grub - it was time to head back to Gravity Haus for a nap! Check out our video below for a glimpse of the beauty of the trail!
