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Hi, I'm planning on doing the Royal Arch route in a few weeks. I am going to hike it counter-clockwise so that means the "rappel" will be a climb. Has anyone here climbed this? Is it do-able without ropes and climbing gear? If anyone has been there recently, are there ropes there and what condition are they in? Thanks for any help!

HIKEAZ will get back with you soon I'm sure, he's probably out hiking for the weekend. I think the common practice is to the leave the ropes there until another group comes and replaces them, then they pack out the old ropes. There is a good amount of exposure in the rappel area, but you should be fine. Probably take your pack off for the climb and then just pull it up the rope.

Thanks Davis! I ended up going this past weekend and the ropes looked very new. I was a bit nervous about the climb without being able to see how well the ropes were attached. But I just gave 'em a quick tug and went for it. Everything looked ok once I got to the top though. It wasn't a hard climb and I took my pack off and roped it up like you suggested. The exposure sure adds to the excitement!

Glad everything went well, thats an awesome route.

Elias Butler, co-author of Grand Obsession (a biography of Harvey Butchart) did the Royal Arch Loop counterclockwise a few months back, while taking pics for the current issue of Backpacker Magazine. I believe he has a short video on Backpacker Magazine's website (he told me about it, and that is the first time I've ever visited that site). Anyway, I think there is a short clip of the climb. Having been there with davis2001r6 last year, I can say that it is pretty tame, but the exposure does add some excitement.

Glad to hear your trip went well.

The ledge was much more interesting that the rappel, that's for sure.

davis2001r6 wrote:The ledge was much more interesting that the rappel, that's for sure.

You mean this interesting ledge??!!
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=59877 and http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=59975

That would probably turn me back. I'd regret it later, but only from a safe distance.

Well there is a bypass for that on the other side of the creek/canyon, something about going around that was cool though. I still laugh when I see Matt's camera strap on the otherside and him having to go back and get it.

Oh, the memories... That was such a fun trip. Thanks for posting those links Hank.

davis2001r6 wrote:The ledge was much more interesting that the rappel, that's for sure.

Somehow I missed the ledge. I've read on some trip reports that there is an alternate route to avoid it. I guess I unknowingly took that route 'cause i never saw the ledge.

BTW, anyone know the actual mileage? I've seen it listed as 45 miles but the park service says its 35. Add 3 miles round trip to Elves and I get 38 miles

I don't know for sure though having worked with lots of data I'd guess it's 33 to 38
http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=1048