Wrather Arch is located along the Paria River drainage in Northern Arizona and is within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. In order to hike up to and under the arch one must travel through the Paria River gorge below Buckskin Gulch, the longest slot canyon in the United States. 

So needless to say seeing the arch can be difficult. However, there is a way to see the arch without the long journey down the canyon and that is from above. While you can’t easily hike down to the arch from the canyon rim it is possible to see the arch and explore the canyon along its rim.

I was invited by two exploring enthusiasts to join them on the adventure to see the arch from above. Charley, Rick, and Jim became fast friends and we met up to explore the region. With two vehicles for driving on sandy tracks across the Paria Plateau we headed out. The plateau is a lonely place, except for an occasional cow and a few birds not much moves out there as we traveled east from a road to White Pocket.  After a few intersections we headed North and an hour later we were to the end of the track and at our destination.   We had a little lunch and set up camp before heading further north to find the canyon rim.  We were greeted by a sheer canyon wall some 600 feet deep.  We had reached the side canyon that holds Wrather Arch, however no arch in sight at least not yet.  Following the rim we continued to have wonderful views of the side canyon and the main canyon below. The Paria River was far below and was winding its way through beautiful red Navajo sandstone cliffs.

Following a short half mile hike we could finally see the arch below us.

To my surprise the arch was parallel to the canyon, formed in a buttress jutting out from the canyon wall.

Arch from across the canyon

Based on the hiking trail from the river it is a very large arch and was a great sight from above. And is hidden jewel in a wild and wonderful canyon.  Further exploration allowed us to see numerous views of the river drainage and the canyon it winds through.

Jim in our party even had a great opportunity to see some desert bighorn sheep close up on the rim.

The trip was a very successful adventure, with good friends, in an amazing place. I hope you enjoy the photos of this trip.