Morning Glory Arch Colorado Riverway, Utah

April 23, 2014

Having just zipped over here from the unique Fisher Towers on a beautiful National Scenic Byway, I am counting on finding some special stuff on this trail as well, across the street from the Colorado River.

⇔   (see Update)

Recent measurements of other spans show some numbers on the sign to be out of whack; that notice should be updated.

It's not a natural bridge

Starting up Negro Bill Canyon

The walking is pleasant and pretty easy

The canyon walls are spectacular

The creek is beautiful as well

This stream must be crossed several times; but so far, I have not had to get my feet wet.

Crossing #2
Crossing #3

Anerican Vetch
Dune Evening Primrose and Globe Mallow

Patterns    ⇔

Just ahead is an important turnoff.  One could continue up Negro Bill Canyon for several miles, but I need to head to the right.

Junction ahead
Some scrambling to do

Less than half a mile to go.  This is rather exciting.

Even more excited than I are the four people ogling a cactus plant just ahead.  I identify it for them, but they are somewhat disappointed to learn that this is not one of those species that blooms for only a day or so.  After they leave, I manage to grab one of my best close-ups ever:

Claret Cup Cactus — jewel of the desert    ⇔

There's the arch, dead ahead

When I arrive, there are but two other hikers here, enjoying some lunch on a boulder.

Morning Glory Arch

This guy hugs the canyon wall, making a good photograph problematical.

Wonderful textures

At 243 feet, this is the fifth-longest span in the world by recent laser measurements (see Update).

The amphitheater underneath the arch is predictably cool, quiet, and gorgeous:

This is why I go hiking

At the far end, a spring is emanating from a vertical crack in the canyon wall.

The water flows down the little channel

The lunching couple has left, leaving me alone in this feel-good place for just a couple of minutes before others appear.  When leaving, I pick up a sweatshirt inadvertently left on the rock by the picnickers.

Another perspective

Starting back

After about ten minutes, the young man comes running back to retrieve his companion's shirt.  Because he was spared nearly half a mile of additional backtracking, we both are pleased that my effort proved worthwhile.

Another crossing

At one point I get off the main trail, which necessitates two extra trips across the creek.  It doesn't help that my errant detour is tracked in its entirety by a pair of hikers who are smiling all the while.

Not that way
An arch in the making?

Pricklypear Cactus garden

I finally see some actual sunlight for the first time today; but it's in the distance, not here.

Winding down a great day

§: This was such a mellow outing!  It is not every day that one can get up-close and personal with a world-class formation such as Morning Glory Arch, and this one is so easy to reach.  When basking in the alcove, it can be a bit difficult to reconcile the fact that the formation is just two miles from the Moab city limits!  I wonder just how many of the townspeople actually have bothered to come here.

The best chicken chow mein I ever had awaits me at Szechuan in the heart of town.  Then tomorrow it's off to the longest arch of them all (see Update), which is just a few miles away.

• Trailhead: 3 miles east of US-191 on SR-128
• Distance: 4½ miles
• Elevation gain: 330'
• Hikers: 100
• Rating: 7

Scenery
Difficulty
Flowers
Solitude

UPDATE

As of 2017 after decades of controversy, this canyon and trail have been renamed by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to Grandstaff Canyon, reflecting the full name of Bill Grandstaff, the area's former resident.  Despite acknowledgement from the President of the Salt Lake City chapter of NAACP that the name was not offensive and that governments could better focus on more pressing issues regarding discrimination, a local councilwoman somehow tied in this name to the church shooting in Charleston.  Go figure.

Also, as of 2019, Morning Glory Arch is ranked as only the 9th-longest span in the world, and the nearby Landscape Arch has been demoted to #5.

Now if only they would properly replace the signpost that has misnamed the arch!