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Casting Shadows by kingsnake Not sure if this is a state park fee use area. Personally, just to be careful, I picked up an Alamo Lake State Park day use permit before heading towards the trailhead. It is about two miles of pure jeep trail hiking from the pullout / old campground to the arch. Because I was doing some other things in the area, I approached the arch from the northeast, which gives a good profile shot if it is mid-afternoon. It is a steep & slippery climb up the northeast face, but not too bad. Once on top, turn left along a narrow ledge to the arch opening. The arch itself is tiny, and delicate -- do not climb on it. There is a safe shelf to sit on the arch's southwest face. If you peer through it, towards the northeast, with a mid-afternoon sun, you can see the arch's shadow, complete with sunny spot, on the desert floor. I've never experienced that before! Definitely makes it worth your time. The arch's southwest slope is mild, and I descended that way, following a fairly obvious foot trail, back to the jeep trail. You could also go up the southwest face, but then you would miss the profile shot, unless you went down the steep & slippery northwest face. Personally, I'd do it the way I did: Counter-clockwise. Check out the Official Route and Triplog. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Review
Alamo Lake Arch
It was 27°, at 8:00 a.m., when we made our traditional stop at the Wickenburg Shell station. I hoped to have better luck with the temps than my Power Ball. 
On our drive west on U.S. 60, then north on Alamo Rd., we saw snow on the north slope of the Harquahala Mountains, the north slope of the Harcuvar Mountains, the east slope of the Rawhide Mountains, and even on the desert floor of the Butler Valley (in shaded gullies).
Park Rd., Wickenburg Rd., and Brown's Crossing Rd. were not bad at all. Easily SUV drivable, probably even car drivable. (Only issue might be some slightly deep gravel, in spots.) Checked out what appeared to be an old campground, splitting off towards the arch. Soon realized that would be a non-starter, so parked it, and started walking.
Got up to FR 7628, which connects to Brown's Crossing Rd., and is also car drivable for at least 1.5 miles. First stop was supposed to be a shaft, but the location turned out to be dead bottom of a wash, which would just about be the worst place for a shaft. Just a bit up wash, though, on the side, was a neat little adit. They must have given up quick, as it didn't go in very far.
Then I checked out a bunch of prospects, all to no avail. I skipped a second mine, near Hill 1492, in favor of climbing a hill. Great views from on top, so I stopped for lunch.
I descended across a saddle, then a steep & slippery hill side. I checked out some more prospects on my way to the arch. (Also finding zilch.)
I approached the arch from the northeast. In order to get a closer shot, I worked my way up the steep & slippery slope. I soon realized I was not far from the top, pulling myself up to a small ledge. Seeing the arch's shadow through the arch itself, was the highlight of the hike.
After enjoying a Newcastle Brown Ale, I descended the arch's mild southwest slope, back to the jeep trail.
My GPS map mislead me into some old lake growth, when I should have split off to the right, but no big deal, I was soon back at my car.
We stopped at the small cafe in Cabal*, next to the airstrip at the corner of Park Rd. and Wickenburg Rd., for a post-hike brew. The Cardinals were up 14-6, which a minute later became 14-13.
There were jillions of $1 bills on the ceiling, so when I put mine up, I name-checked HikeArizona.com. 
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Video : youtu.be/evzdYdpX0is
* - I've since found out it is called the Wayside Cafe.
On our drive west on U.S. 60, then north on Alamo Rd., we saw snow on the north slope of the Harquahala Mountains, the north slope of the Harcuvar Mountains, the east slope of the Rawhide Mountains, and even on the desert floor of the Butler Valley (in shaded gullies).
Park Rd., Wickenburg Rd., and Brown's Crossing Rd. were not bad at all. Easily SUV drivable, probably even car drivable. (Only issue might be some slightly deep gravel, in spots.) Checked out what appeared to be an old campground, splitting off towards the arch. Soon realized that would be a non-starter, so parked it, and started walking.
Got up to FR 7628, which connects to Brown's Crossing Rd., and is also car drivable for at least 1.5 miles. First stop was supposed to be a shaft, but the location turned out to be dead bottom of a wash, which would just about be the worst place for a shaft. Just a bit up wash, though, on the side, was a neat little adit. They must have given up quick, as it didn't go in very far.
Then I checked out a bunch of prospects, all to no avail. I skipped a second mine, near Hill 1492, in favor of climbing a hill. Great views from on top, so I stopped for lunch.
I descended across a saddle, then a steep & slippery hill side. I checked out some more prospects on my way to the arch. (Also finding zilch.)
I approached the arch from the northeast. In order to get a closer shot, I worked my way up the steep & slippery slope. I soon realized I was not far from the top, pulling myself up to a small ledge. Seeing the arch's shadow through the arch itself, was the highlight of the hike.
After enjoying a Newcastle Brown Ale, I descended the arch's mild southwest slope, back to the jeep trail.
My GPS map mislead me into some old lake growth, when I should have split off to the right, but no big deal, I was soon back at my car.
We stopped at the small cafe in Cabal*, next to the airstrip at the corner of Park Rd. and Wickenburg Rd., for a post-hike brew. The Cardinals were up 14-6, which a minute later became 14-13.
There were jillions of $1 bills on the ceiling, so when I put mine up, I name-checked HikeArizona.com.
-----
Video : youtu.be/evzdYdpX0is
* - I've since found out it is called the Wayside Cafe.
2015-01-03 kingsnake
