Cassidy Arch trail is located in Capitol Reef National Park.
At the parking lot is a sign that indicates that the trial starts in .3 miles.Here is where the trail starts.This trail has a lot of character.As you can see, the first half of this hike is all vertical. There are a lot of rock stairs to climb.As you near the top, the rock stairs become more precarious.It was 94 degrees on the day that we took this hike. The heat made this hike a challenge.The trail winds around the top of the cliff in a horse shoe pattern. Eventually, you can see the parking lot where this set of pictures began.As the trail curves around, there is another view of the parking lot from farther away.As we round the bend, we can see the arch for the first time.If you zoom in on this picture, you can see people sitting on top of the arch. That is where we’re headed.In this picture you can see people at the bottom of the arch. There is only one way to get inside the arch: Repel down a rope.Here’s the sign to indicate the split off of the trail.Cassidy arch is to the left. But the trail doesn’t split at the sign. It’s before the sign (right about where we are standing).You have to go down this little slot and the trail goes on from there.This part of the trail is mostly on a rock plateau. There are a lot of trail markers and cairns. We had to find an alternate route around this part. The vertical rock here was worn smooth by years of people slipping on it. I gave it a test try, but my shoes couldn’t get a good grip.The trail markings ended and we came to this cliff.This is the view towards the mines. That road is the entrance to the area were were hiking. At this point, we knew we walked past the arch.I expected the arch to go straight through, but it’s really a cave with the roof missing.Michelle is walking around from the other side.Now it’s time to hike back.
