Jeep Arch (Gold Bar Arch) Trail

Overview

Jeep Arch (aka Gold Bar Arch) rises at the upper end of a beautiful stony canyon to the north of Colorado River near the town of Moab, Utah. Jeep Arch is so called because, with some imagination, the opening of the arch may appear as the silhouette of a Jeep. A trail/beaten path start on Potash Road near Colorado River, goes through a culvert under railroad tracks and then climbs 900 vertical feet up the canyon to reach the arch. La Sal Mountains can be seen through the opening of Jeep Arch.

Getting There

From Moab follow Route 191 north. Cross the Colorado River and continue 1.4 miles until you see the sign for State Route 279 (Potash Road). Turn left (west) onto this road and follow it paralleling Colorado River. A little more than 11 miles, you will see a sign for Corona Arch Trailhead. Park just beyond this trailhead where you see a culvert under railroad tracks. You will have to hike through this culvert. I did not see any signs for Jeep Arch Trail.

Route Description

Trailhead Elevation: 3960 ft
Elevation at Jeep Arch: 4860 ft
Distance: 2.1 miles one way




At the trailhead, you will see a culvert running through a railroad embankment. Hike through the culvert.

Walking through the culvert

Right after exiting the culvert, I saw a sign saying “Jeep Arch Trail” pointing to the left (west). The trail took me up the western slopes of the canyon a short distance and then came to a sudden end. I did not know why that misleading sign was there. If you have any information about the sign, please let me know (see information provided by others under "Comments"). The route described here ignores the sign and remains at the bottom of the canyon for some time.

You will find yourself at the bottom of a canyon. Follow the beaten path up the canyon.

You will then reach a dry water pour-over. A beaten path on the right (east) side of the canyon will take you above the pour-over

Continue up the canyon until you reach a second pour-over. A pool of water may be spotted at the base of this pour-over. A path on the right side will take you to its top.

The floor of the canyon will now be made of slickrock. Boulders come to fill the canyon.

You will need to leave the floor of the canyon at this spot. Locate the cairns on the left side that take you up a slope.

Cairns showing the way up the slopes

Looking back down into the canyon:

Continue following the cairns up the western slopes of the canyon.

Once you get near this tower, the trail splits starting a loop. You can go one way and return the other.

Continuing up:

East face of Jeep Arch:

East face of Jeep Arch

West face of Jeep Arch:

La Sal Mountains seen through the opening of the arch:

Views from the arch:

Colorado River barely seen

Essential Gear

Hiking equipment.