Arch Canyon

3TV · 2007-06-23 10:54:45

Here is a great place to take your side x side UTVs. It is Arch Canyon, and is in southeast UT. The trailhead is 20 miles west of Blanding, and is on the west side of Comb Ridge, which is a massive geological ridge that runs north-south for as far as you can see. The paved road has been cut through this large heaved up rock ridge. The road to Arch Canyon starts in Comb Wash, which is just west of Comb ridge. You can't miss it, because it is the only road that goes north from the highway in Comb Wash. It is well marked with BLM signs. Here are a few pictures.

June may not be the best time of year to do this trail. Scenery is superb, but daytime temps averaged 104 to 106 while we were there.

3TV · 2007-06-23 11:08:27

The trail is easy for a Rhino, and meanders for eight miles down Arch Canyon, crossing the stream about 30 times. The deepest water crossing was hub deep.

There are three arches in Arch Canyon; two are visible from your side x side, and the third arch requires a 1/2 mile hike. Bring water if you do this in the summer months.

3TV · 2007-06-23 11:16:57

Scenery in Arch Canyon surpasses Moab in my opinion. The tall ponderosa pines combined with red rock are beautiful. There are also three Anasazi indian ruins in the canyon, similar in construction to the indian ruins in my "Hotel Rock" post. Enjoy the photos; this is a great trail ride. 3TV

conteracing · 2008-04-23 02:21:46

Now that looks awesome.

RedMan · 2008-06-13 13:15:24

The Comb Ridge/Wash area is an archaeologists dream.

Ancestral Puebloan (we don't say Anasazi anymore because its politically incorrect unless you are talking to a Navajo) ruins are everywhere you turn.

Truly one of the great adventures in my book, thanks for the pics.

MR. KRYPTONITE · 2008-06-13 22:11:39

Thanks for sharing this location. I would really like to do this ride sometime this year. Is there enough cool trails to spend a few days down in that area?

Fasttrax · 2008-06-14 08:05:21

3TV, Your our trail guide! Set a date soon for this fall and I will do it. Looks awesome and I would love to see more of that area. Thanks for the input.

RedMan · 2008-06-15 11:22:28

This are is a huge area with tons of great trails.

Hwy 95 splits Comb ridge in two. There is incredible riding north and south of the
highway.

An incredible trip is going around the south end of Comb Ridge. From Hwy 95 to 163 and back.
Down Comb Wash back up Butler Wash. About 20 miles down and 20 back.
Thats not including any side trips and you will take several. Cliff dwellings abound.

You can start here: TOPO! GPS Data Format DegMin NAD83 ElevFeet Local-Time
001,37,30.684,-109,39.232,4862,06/15/2008,12:07:05,

go south about 20 miles in comb wash to here:
TOPO! GPS Data Format DegMin NAD83 ElevFeet Local-Time
002,37,15.822,-109,40.421,4430,06/15/2008,12:08:55,

Go east just a tad and head back north. Ehem, I don't want to know exactly how
you did this until after Oct 1.

It crosses the Mormon trail which is also a great ride. It will take you west to Cedar Mesa.
If you live in Utah and have never been to Cedar Mesa I think you missed the point.

You can ride many many days down in that area.

If you venture north you can ride all the way to Canyonlands NP on both the south and east sides
and find yourself looking into places like Dark Canyon Wilderness, and if you continue north you will come out on Hwy211 (the main hwy into the south end of Canyonlands) right near newspaper rock.

The Whole Manti-Lasal NFwest of Blanding and Monticello is filled with great trails.
All just begging for a sidexside.

And if thats not enough this is the area where the very last Indian war was fought.

#1 2007-06-23 10:54:45

Re: Arch Canyon

#2 2007-06-23 11:08:27

Re: Arch Canyon

#3 2007-06-23 11:16:57

Re: Arch Canyon

#4 2008-04-23 02:21:46

Re: Arch Canyon

#5 2008-06-13 13:15:24

Re: Arch Canyon

#6 2008-06-13 22:11:39

Re: Arch Canyon

#7 2008-06-14 08:05:21

Re: Arch Canyon

#8 2008-06-15 11:22:28

Re: Arch Canyon

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