Druid Arch — Attraction in Monticello

Five star expedition. Yes, it is a varied and difficult hike in. You will experience three unique areas, that present their own challenges. Entrance starts on a mesa plateau, and you will learn quickly to keep a keen eye on the trail markers. Starting from the Elephant Trail head, we got lost in the first hundred yards, and had to backtrack to the start. Gave us a good laugh. After approximately two miles you reach a rock face that leads into a mountainous trail with switchbacks, slots, and various obstacles. This makes for quite the interesting pathway. You then spill into a long sand wash that will leave you in awe at the passing scenery. When you hit the last mile and find yourself climbing vertical walls and scrambling over boulders, you will know you area close. Upon arrival, the Druid Arch is awe inspiring- completely in a class by itself compared to every other rock formation in Utah. If you are physically and mentally able, this is highly recommend! The trek in was private and serene- completely opposite of every other rock feature in the park systems. Here you really feel alone and one with the earth. Go early to avoid all people, as the trek out was faced with a dozen or so people coming in late during the day. You will need to pay close attention to your pathway, as there often times is no trail. Keep an eye out for the cairns and you should be fine. If you have but one hike to plan for the Canyonlands/Arches area, this is the one you should consider- unlike the tourist traps found at so many of the arches in...

October 15, 2021 Druid Arch Park at Elephant Hill TH lot to start, 4 cars in lot to start and place was packed when we left 16 miles total, super soft sand in Chesler area Pass ec2 and ec3 camping Left the Moab house at 5:30 arrived at the elephant hill parking lot at 720 the dirt road going in wasn't bad at all no different than a Michigan dirt road the road here was smooth and paved right skies no clouds 32 degrees. 0813 junction squaw 0830 descended to the creek bed 0851 trail marker for campsite EC2 0855 junction for druid arch and squaw flat campground 0913 joint junction 1000 entry up from creek 1040 split with Peggy and Buc and dry waterfall 1150 top of Druid 1140 start down 1303 junction for Chesler and Druid 1450 made it out of the joint 4.9 miles back to elephant hill trailhead 1505 junction 4.2 to go 1525 junction at Chesler 2.9 miles 1534 2.7 to th 1551 creek junction 1608 squaw cg junction 1640 back at car This trail has it all from rock scrambles, minor climbing and is very well marked. We were the 1st group to summit the view at Druid, we passed one backpacker...

Highly recommend! This isnt the funnest hike in the summer heat of 100°F but the views and anticipation of getting to the Arch and solitude hiking experience make it worth it!

My experience in late August:

The hike was unpleasant due to the ~6 miles of sandy wash, the exposure to the sun and heat for most of the hike and the mental effort required to follow the cairns and/or the alltrails map and not get too far off track. However, I couldve mitigated the heat if I started earlier. I started way later than initially planned, at 10:30am instead of 5:30am but I was still able to complete the hike in about 5.5 hours. There were several open parking spots when I arrived later in the morning. I passed about four groups on the elephant trail from the carpark (the first ~2 miles) coming in but never saw anyone else after that. Hence, I had the Arch all to myself! I had 5 liters of water and snacks and drank 3 liters. I did get some cloud coverage for the last 2.5 miles of the hike and the...