Natural Bridges

(nr Blanding UT)
On the way across UT-95, I stopped to see Natural Bridges National Monument. The park featured three natural rock bridge formations, and a native cliff dwelling ruin.

Natural rock bridge formation

Sipapu Bridge

It had a scenic drive with viewpoints for each feature, and also hiking trails to them. I chose to drive the byway, and only hiked the two shortest trails. After all, it was sunny and 90 degrees when I was there. (Typically 77 in September)

Natural bridge with trees

Kachina Bridge

natbridgeowachomoabove

Owachomo Bridge from Above

The best viewpoint was for Owachomo bridge; and the trail to its base was only 180 ft elevation drop and .4 mile round trip. So, that’s the one I chose to walk.

Looking through natural bridge formation

Owachomo Bridge from Below

Deep rocky gorge

Gorge at Natural Bridges Monument

Horse Collar Ruin viewpoint was a .6 mile round trip on mostly hard rock across a mesa. The actual ruin was on the opposite canyon wall. My 486mm zoom was barely enough for a decent shot.

Native cliff dwelling ruins

Horse Collar Ruins

The park’s campground was full, so I found a boondock in the surrounding BLM land; not far from the park. It was still a bit early, but I was tired from being in the sun and heat for hours.

Camp: BLM-Boondock
Scene: Mesas, gorges, bridges, ruins

4 Responses to Natural Bridges

  1. Sondra September 28, 2014 at 8:18 pm #

    I have passed by the Natural Bridge Ntl Mon. on the last 3 trips to that area…next time I’m for sure stopping, this makes it official seeing all the arches and I didn’t know about the ruin so thanks for this summary!

    • Pleinguy September 28, 2014 at 9:25 pm #

      Thanks for commenting Sondra. I believe you would enjoy it. Suggest going when the weather is a bit cooler, as it is all out in the open.

  2. Dizzy-Dick September 28, 2014 at 11:33 pm #

    Did you walk down and look at the Horse Collar Ruins? Looks like a nice path leading down that way.

    • Pleinguy September 29, 2014 at 12:29 am #

      No. It is off limits except to researchers with a special permit. What you don’t see is that the ruin is recessed into a steep cliff.

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