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Natural Bridge-Sipapu Hike Obstacles
BruceDunning Says: There were some traversing that some people would not like to do, and on a couple of occasions it is a stretch to reach the next foothold. In one case after getting down from a ladder rung, there is an angle drop off that was steep that can be dangerous. Take it slow; no...
BruceDunning Says: The roadside has a kiva and ruins of living quarters of Pueblo Indians. It is right off the road, and a short walk to the site. The kiva and ruins are nice, but the real site is the House of Fire on a hike taken and located shortly downroad. At this site you can walk to the...
Mule Canyon-House of Fire Indian Ruin
BruceDunning Says: This Pueblo ruin is fantastic to see up close, but also the purpose is to come when the sun shines on the rock. It looks like the house is on fire, or at least the cove overhang. The hike was not to difficult, even though a long trek through sand as you follow the creek bed...
Natural Bridges-Horsecollar Ruin Overlook
BruceDunning Says: This is a picture of the collar as seen form above. A short trail of 6/10 mile leads to a Pueblo ruin and granaries which the name derived from.
Natural Bridges Kachina Arch-Hike
BruceDunning Says: This arch is 210 feet high and the span is 204 feet' 93 feet thick. The arch is reported to be the newer of these because of the large size of the span yet and narrow opening. It has not been eroded as much yet. The hike was 1.8 miles and elevation variance of 400 feet. The...
BruceDunning Says: This hike to the arch was relatively easy and short at 6/10 of a mile, and steps to help you get down to the arch. It has a span of 180 feet, and is 106 feet high. The thickness of this arch is very narrow at 9 feet, and 32 feet wide. The name in Indian language means rock...
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Car is the only way, unless you are in to fierce walks over many miles (which still can be quiet intresting). In the parks itself you anyway already have to walk.
In the Natural Bridges Park one has to walk and can choose between several paths. A scenic drive brings you close to the largest natural bridges. News Paper Rock can be reached by car and lies in the spectacular and huge Canyonlands Park. It must be a challenge and adventure to go walking here. One can hike days and days without finding any trace of civilisation (see also Green River).
Written Oct 15, 2002
BruceDunning Says: Cattle and sheep are allowed to graze and there are not fences. So watch the road closely when going at 70 MPH. Stopping for them may not be an option if going too fast, and then what are your choices?
leannaaker Says: If you are coming to Natural Bridges from the South in Arizona, beware that UT-261 (AKA, the "Moki Dugway") had 3 miles of graded gravel switchbacks (recommended 5mph). While this doesn't sound like a big deal (3 miles, no big deal, right?), you may think otherwise when you...
BruceDunning Says: Bluff was founded in 1880, by 200 Mormons settling here to farm crops. There are still descendants in the town today. The log/wood village homes are from that first era. Later they built more elaborate homes. Many Victorian homes are preserved in town that were built...
BruceDunning Says: A town of only about 50 people; all in retail trade and service to tourists is a drop off point for travelers and buses going to Monument VAlley 22 miles south, or Natural Bridges 45 miles north. It is wide open spaces and the sheer rock faces along the perimeter is great...
BruceDunning Says: Indian ruins are in the back of the museum building. Inside the building is the depiction of the evolution of the Indians and the geology of this area. It is an archeological repository. The museum itself seemed rather "stale" and not that great in my opinion. The fee of $5...
BruceDunning Says: This is a very delightful museum that few people attend for lack of knowing its hidden wonders inside. The museum is a contribution of a paleontologist couple that over many years of searching have brought back some remnants from around the globe. They also created some of...
BruceDunning Says: SAn Juan River carved an entrenched path through the rock walls over millions of years as the ground rose up. The river continued its old path and cut through the rock. A wonderful view of the "necks" is on display at the edge of the landing. The overlook is 1000 feet down...
BruceDunning Says: A road can be entered from Hwy 163 and 13 miles west of Bluff, or from Hwy 261 and nine miles from Mexican Hat. It is a rough, has some steep dips and goes across creek beds (wet) and also has a washboard road. It is advised to have GOOD suspensions before taking the full 17...
BruceDunning Says: This is a section of road on Hwy 261 to the south of Natural Bridges Hwy 95 road. It is a 3 mile section that has not ever been paved for reasons it is tough to maintain and maybe the thrill of tourists trying to be scared of taking the ascent/descent of 1200 feet variation...
BruceDunning Says: These are river pictures from the overlook unto the SAn Juan Basin at the Cedar Mesa flat top. The river has carved out deep crevices over thousands to millions of years. While the ground rose up, the river continued to carve its path through the usual course before. That...
BruceDunning Says: There are four dwellings & kivas under rock ledges along a canyon that I really do not know how they ever got up to the houses. The cliffs are daunting and steep straight up. Hanging on to the side of the cliff edge, I noted that it is a huge drop down. Located at mile...
BruceDunning Says: There is a rock canyon and high rising mountains where there are 3 of seven towers standing out on the rock cliff edge. The view is fantastic, but getting to it is not easy if you try to drive. I had the reliable 2WD SUV, and it did not want to take the risk of ruining the...
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Favorite thing: Visit the Natural Bridges N.P. Here is a stunning collection of natural formed bridges in a strange landscape that is sliced in pieces by little rivers. In the erosion proces, here these rivers had a tough job as the stone is for the largest part harder then in areas like the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley. Deep trenches are dug by the waters and in some places it couldn't get through the stone layers, went around and - when deep enough - went underneath. A bridge has been born.
Fondest memory: The fragile bridge hanging over our heads had something scary as who can tell ... when the end of this natural shaped wonder will be.
Written Oct 15, 2002
This area is not frequently traveled and that is good in my opinion. In fact it is a bit desolate on some of the back roads. Those roads also can raise havoc on a vehicle for driving down rough and......
Natural Bridges National Monument is about 45 minutes west of Blanding, Utah. The highlights of the monument are the three huge rock bridges, which you can either view from the 15 mile loop scenic...
Natural Bridges N.P. and Newspaperrock
From Blanding you can quickly reach the relatively small National Park Natural Bridges. Here nature has carved several spectacular stone monuments. Among them the bridges that hang over deep cuts in...
Natural Bridges National Monument
The Natural Bridges Park is a relatively small park. There are three natural bridges, the Sipapu Bridge, the Kachina Bridge and the Owachomo Bridge. There is a 9 miles one-way loop through the park......
Build your own Natural Bridges National Monument page
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