Just about 50 miles west of Blanding, UT on Hwy 95 is Natural Bridges National Monument.  I stopped here last year and climbed down to Sipapu Bridge - a huge rock arch down in the canyon.  This is amazing country and the canyons are beyond description. They wind and twist for miles.  The hike/climb to Sipapu is about 700 ft down and 1½ miles each way.  See the bridge ??  On the left a little more than mid-way down……………………

Here’s a part of the trail.  Pretty primitive.  There are 2 people in about the center.  See the red shirt ??  You don’t really want a mis-step there……………..

But that was last year.  This year I went farther on around the road to Kachina Bridge.  Not as far down……..only about 400 feet and ¾ of a mile in distance……………..

The trail looks terrible in spots, but is actually one of the best I’ve seen in places like this.  Very well built and in very good shape.  Up here, they actually cut stone blocks and made stairs.  Easy money……………

Here’s what I mean by “looking bad.”  The trail actually makes about a 120º left turn here.  You can see it coming out in center left.  Looks bad, goes good, but in any case you want to mind your footing……………..

Very well done and a lot of skilled work went into this.  Makes for a very nice hike……………….

Almost there……………..

But the workmanship on the trail went to hell about here.  Looks like they just took a diamond saw and cut slots, then broke it out between them.  Works fine, looks awful……………..

The Bridge.  This is neat……………..

Underneath it, looking out the other side.  The creek is very muddy - very red mud - and it’s tough, greasy going on the other side………………

As I started back up, I passed a small group going down.  From farther up, here’s a look at them to give perspective.   There’s 2 of them, just below center on the left side of the creek bed……………..

You seldom hear of Natural Bridges, and it’s way off the beaten path.  It’s worth finding that path, and following it further.                    Lar.
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Larry Bourne
Santa Fe, NM
www.gogittum.com
www.gogittum.com/blog

Posted: July 28th, 2009 under 09 Vacation, 09-6-27 Natural Bridges.
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