Cassidy Arch | Capitol Reef

Hiking Cassidy Arch - Capitol Reef Hiking Cassidy Arch

Capitol Reef

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike
MAPS: Fruita, UT

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. East southeast wind 0 to 3 mph.

46 | 29

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

49 | 31

Tue

A slight chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

45 | 28

Wed

A slight chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 28

Thu

A chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 25

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, no snow. Can be hot in the summer.
WATER: None, bring all you need.

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. East southeast wind 0 to 3 mph.

46 | 29

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

49 | 31

Tue

A slight chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

45 | 28

Wed

A slight chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 28

Thu

A chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 25

View Full Weather Details
Looking back from near the arch.

Looking back from near the arch.

Important Note: The Scenic Drive, used to access this trailhead, will be closed from April 29, 2024 through fall of 2024. See the park page for details: https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/scenic-drive-rehabilitation-project.htm

This is one of my favorite hikes in the park, even if just doing it as a hike, and not taking the technical canyoneering route back to the trailhead. The hike is moderate, with about a 670 vertical foot gain from Grand Wash to the arch perched high on the cliffs above Grand Wash. Afternoon seems to offer best lighting for pictures, but start early in the day during the summer to beat the afternoon heat.

Cassidy Arch

Cassidy Arch

En Route to Cassidy Arch

En Route to Cassidy Arch

Getting There

From the visitor center, take the scenic drive. It passes several visitor attractions at 1.0 miles, and the campground at 1.2. At 1.6 miles is a fee station. Currently (2017) the fee is $10 per car, or free with a National Parks pass. Continue to 3.4 miles where Grand Wash is on the left. Follow the Grand Wash road 1.2 miles to it's end. En route down Grand Wash, at 0.75 miles, you will see the Cassidy Arch viewpoint. This is a nice stop to see the arch from below before starting the hike.

Cairns near the Arch

Cairns near the Arch

Route

From the trailhead, follow the well marked Grand Wash trail down stream. In 0.3 miles (5 minutes), the Cassidy Arch trail branches off on the left and begins the steep ascent to the arch. The trail is easy to follow, to where it nears the arch. Here, at the final junction, go left again and follow cairns across slick rock to the top of the arch.

From the arch, Boulder Mountain is to the southwest, with Ferns Nipple prominent on the skyline to the south, and Shinob Canyon as it dumps into Grand Wash.

Return the same way.


Photos

Maps

Route / 3.09 miles / Elevation Range 5,389 - 6,007 ft.
Printable Maps:

TrCassidy Trailhead

12S 481112mE 4235105mN

N38° 15' 50" W111° 12' 57"
Junction - Left

12S 481333mE 4235347mN

N38° 15' 57" W111° 12' 48"
Junction - Left

12S 480336mE 4235167mN

N38° 15' 52" W111° 13' 29"
Cassidy Arch

12S 480229mE 4234797mN

N38° 15' 40" W111° 13' 34"

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