Corona Arch Trail, part 3

This second, the Corona Arch, is only a few hundred yards further than Bowtie Arch (previous post).

The opening is 140 ft long by 105 ft high, and apparently large enough that a small airplane actually flew threw it once.

A sandstone fin eroding over time to eventually create the arch.

Notice the "small" people underneath the arch in the second images on the left.

This is the view looking out at the canyon from under the arch.

Corona Arch Trail, part 2

This first one is Bowtie (one word).

Bowtie is approximately 30 feet in diameter and formed when a pothole met a cave underneath.

Here's an interesting bit of trivia: it used to be called "Paul Bunyan's Potty," until that name was taken for another formation in the Canyonlands National Park.

Corona Arch Trail, part 1

Because the Arches national Park was not on our itinerary this time around, and because I was determined to see an actual "arch" on this trip, we set out on the Corona Arch Trail.

After an initial climb and a sandy pass, the "trail" is marked by cairns along slickrock overlooking the canyon below, making good shoe traction recommended.

I kept stopping and looking at the landscape, trying to assimilate the utter vastness of it all. The colors were absolutely spectacular, offering up a palette of vibrant reds, oranges, and greens, all reinforced by a stark blue shy.

  

I was surprised to find this labeled a "family" trail, not because of technical hiking or climbing -it's an easy walk for sure- but because we are literally walking along the slickrock, at times rather close to the edge, and seeing little kids running around made me very nervous. 

I was more inclined to walk with a few feet of "cushion" myself.

From the DiscoverMoab site: 

- Length of Hike: 1.5 miles to Corona Arch; allow 2 hours round trip.
- Type of Hike: Constructed trail and slickrock. This is a hiking-only trail.
- Area Attractions: Corona Arch (140 by 105 foot opening) and adjacent Bow Tie Arch; also views of the Colorado River and a large slickrock canyon.
- Trailhead: Utah Scenic Byway 279, 10 miles west of Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.

 Coming ahead: Bow Tie and Corona Arches.