This is our second time visiting Natural Bridges Monument. When we visited this park in 2016, we added the loop trails to our bucket list. This time we made plans to do the 8-mile Sipapu Bridge to Owachomo Bridge loop. Unfortunately, it was a bit too hot and we ran out of energy by the time we arrived at the three-way split at the Kachina Bridge lookout. That leaves the other loop from Kachina Bridge to Owachomo Bridge for next time.
We started by parking at the Sipapu lookout parking lot and descended the ladders and stairs down to the riverbed. The trail goes under the Sipapu Bridge.
Once you reach the river bed, the trail crosses to each side of the bed. You can walk in the river bed if it’s dry. Sometimes it’s difficult to see where the trail is. There were pools of water at some spots of the river bed when we hiked this trail. We spent most of the day walking over rocks or sand in 90 degree heat.
The map shows the Kachina Bridge as a dot next to the trail. The trail actually goes under the Kachina Bridge, so you can’t miss it. After the bridge, there is a trail marker with a staircase. The split off between the Kachina parking lot and the Owachomo Bridge trail is up a few stairs. This sequence shows up to the beginning of those stairs.
This set of photos show how you must climb the stairs to arrive at the three-way split in the trail.
The following gallery of photos show the stairs to climb up to the lookout parking lot. After reaching the parking lot, the trail continues on the other side of the road.
This trail is used to finish the loop. It is a rather boring and exposed trail. Prepare to bake! Once you reach the three-way point, there is a short trail back to the Sipapu Bridge parking lot.
The trail to the Sipapu Bridge parking lot is short, but there is a mesa that dips down and then back up. When you get close to the parking lot, the trail appears to follow the ridgeline to the right. Ignore that trail and continue straight. If you get lost, walk near the ridgeline and look for the crosswalk lines.
