grosvenor arch

GROSVENOR ARCH-GRAND STAIRCASE- ESCALATE NATIONAL MONUMENT (UTAH’S HIDDEN BYWAYS VII) When I think about the myriad of arches in Utah, my mind does not take me to the Arches/Canyonlands region of Utah, but to a magnificent DOUBLE ARCH located near Bryce Canyon National Park. This arch, located within the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, is GROSVENOR ARCH. This arch complex is gigantic, towering over the surrounding countryside as if placed there as a monument for all to admire and study. It is a monument of time, the wind and rains, geology, and the nature of the land. It is also devoid of people, which makes it extra special. It is also hidden, but not to difficult to get to if you know that it exists and where to find it. A natural starting point for the trip out to GROSVENOR ARCH, and nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park, is the Bryce Canyon National Park area. We usually stay at The Best Western Ruby’s Inn, so I will use that as the point of departure. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRIP IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS. THE COTTONWOOD CANYON ROAD NEAR THE ARCH, AND THE STREAM CROSSINGS, CAN GET VERY MUDDY AND QUITE SLICK. IN ADDITION, USE A VEHICLE WITH SOME HIGH CLEARANCE, SUCH AS AN SUV OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE JEEP TYPE. I AM NOT KIDDING!!! FURTHERMORE, BRING WATER, FOOD, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUESELF. A GOOD AREA MAP IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS MINOR EXPEDITION. If we begin at The Best Western Ruby’s Inn near Bryce Canyon National Park in the MORNING, we will make a RIGHT and proceed down UTAH SR63N to the junction with UTAH SR12E. We will make a RIGHT at the junction and head toward Tropic, Utah. About three miles in, you will go over a small bridge, with a dirt parking area on your right. This is the Mossy Cave Trail of Bryce Canyon. Take a some time to enjoy, and photograph, this delightful area. Morning Light is best here for photography. If we continue on SR12E, we will go through the ranch/farming town of Tropic, Utah. Keep going until you reach Cannonville, Utah, where you be making a RIGHT turn immediately past the Grand Staircase Inn. After this right turn, you will find yourself on Main Street. As you continue along, Main Street will turn into Kodachrome Road, which is in private ranch country. You may run into some inquisitive cattle, who have the right-of-way. Farther along, you will cross a bridge over the Paria River and join the Cottonwood Canyon Road. Continue on the Cottonwood Canyon Road to a signed junction. If you go to the left, you will enter Kodachrome Basin State Park, which is 12 miles from UTAH SR12. DO NOT TAKE THIS TURN IF YOU ARE GOING TO GROSVENOR ARCH. Continue straight ahead to a sign and a gate. Continue through the sign and follow the dirt track. You will be making a water crossing (i.e. Dry Valley Creek), which SHOULD NOT BE MADE IF THE WATER IS HIGH. The Cottonwood Canyon Road wanders down and around a knoll, with some blind turns, until it levels off. This area can be rutted and difficult when wet. The road level off and proceeds to a signed (i.e. Grosvenor Arch) junction on your left after about 2-3 more miles of driving. Take this left and drive an additional mile or two until you see the arch on your left, and arrive at the parking area. It is at this point that you will get a surprise. The trail leading to the arch from the parking area is PAVED. It should be noted that there are out-house facilities located at the parking area. They are the only game in town, so use them if the need arises. Walk toward Grosvenor Arch and enjoy the view. This arch is best photographed in the morning, with the light hitting the face. There is no rules preventing you from hiking past the walk and under the arch for very interesting views. A dead tree near the arch (see photograph) will make for some great foreground and dramatic images. Hiking under this double arch gives the viewer a proper perspective as to size. If you have the time and curiosity, hike to your left and see the arch from the rear. You will find that the arch looks quite different from this angle. Be careful as to where you step, for you are in desert country and the land is fragile. Furthermore, keep your hands out of rock crevasses, for they may contain a snake of rather poor disposition. DO NOT DEFACE THE ARCH OR ITS SURROUNDINGS. YOU ARE ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. LEAVE IT THE WAY NATURE INTENDED IT TO BE LEFT! Once you have concluded your visit to the arch, you can drive back to the junction with the Cottonwood Canyon road and make a RIGHT to return the way you came, or turn left and tackle the rutted, washed out, Cottonwood Canyon Road in the Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monument, until it joins UTAH SR89 near Big Water, Utah. This is a rough drive and not recommended unless you have the proper vehicle and desire to put up with harsh road conditions. Backtrack the way you came in until you reach the junction leading to Kodachrome Basin State Park. If you have an hour or two to spare, drive into this park. This is a fee area. Park and wander among the varied colored monoliths that are scattered about. This is another photographic area, as denoted by its name, so have a great time. The return to UTAH SR12 is the 12 miles to Cannonville, Utah, junction that you originally came in on. Have a safe and wonderful trip. ALASKASEEKER (B.I.N.)

Its an amazing place that takes you through the off-roads. Make sure you have a AWD vehicle for sure. Make sure you carry extra tire, enough food & water supplies (just in case). The road is kind of tough (like Race Track Playa in Death Valley). Very close to Bryce Canyon National Park. However, the drive is a good part of it, the arch itself may not be very mesmerizing after you have seen many arches in Arches National Park. But the drive itself is worth it. At least I was not able to find AT&T signal on my cell phone. But Rangers keep visiting often.

Im Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument liegt im nördlichen Drittel der Cottonwood Road (Dirt Road, nur mit 4WD Fahrzeug zu empfehlen) mit dem Grosvenor Arch ein atemberaubendes, kaum besuchtes Juwel unter den Arches im Südwesten.Es gibt einige Hikes um und bis direkt unter den Arch. Am Parkplatz ist ein WC.Am besten kombiniert man den Besuch mit einer Fahrt über die gesamte Cottonwood Road oder dem Kodachrome Basin State Park (nur wenige Meilen nördlich gelegen).