Jug Handle Arch

This was an enjoyable day with my friends Dean Kurtz and Bo Beck. We met in Zion, 2 miles east of the little tunnel. After a quick map reading lesson by Bo we started up the hill. Bo was going to have me use the map to find the arch today, but he cannot resist leading, which I like it that way! We started up the hill towards the entrance to the Keyhole Slot Canyon. The path was well used to the top of the saddle. Its a fairly steep hike all the way to the arch, so dont go expecting a leiusrly walk. The entire hike was only 1.2 miles one way, but it took about 2 hours. We stopped and talked and took a lot of photos along the way however.

At the top of the mesa it's a quick .2 miles over to the arch. The Jug Handle Arch is a propped arch, which hikers can actually walk right out on top of. Don't make the mistake I did and climb down the side to get a better photo. A huge rock went down the side with the slightest touch of my foot. The whole mountain side is unstable with all the rain we have been having. I was lucky to have been holding onto a tree. My search and rescue friends were not thrilled when they heard the rock fall and saw where I had snuck off to. They made a hand chain and held onto me just incase the tree decided to give way as well.

We decided to go back a different way. We hiked down to the ridge and went to the western side of that, around the top, then to the eastern side of the ridge. There we found nice pot holes of water which were visible when standing on top of the arch. Bo jumped into the water for his usual cold water dip. Fairly odd considering he wants no part of cold water canyoneering. We all got a kick out of Bo and took a couple of photos before heading to see the arch. Its actually a better view from down below the arch, but standing on top is always nice.

In the morning we are headed out to Kolob Canyons. The weather is suppose to be 70 degrees. Spring is comming quickly.