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Middle Route Trailhead to Cobra Arch - 1 member in 2 triplogs has rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
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Apr 17 2011
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 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Middle Route Trailhead to Cobra ArchSouthwest, UT
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Apr 17 2011
PaleoRobTriplogs 1,135
Hiking4.81 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking4.81 Miles   3 Hrs   7 Mns   2.27 mph
300 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
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ToadOfTheRocks
Cruised out with Toad and Emily to check out Cobra Arch. Sweet destination, but what a sand slog to get there. Also, have had no problems with my Chaco shoes for three years - backpacked Rainbow Bridge, the Grand Canyon, etc. with them. But a 5 mile dayhike gives me an enormous blister the whole length of my big toe? What the heck!
This trek is more strenuous than either the distance alone or the HAZ Quasi would suggest due to the sand.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
  1 archive
Sep 15 2009
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 Routes 6
 Photos 303
 Triplogs 36

62 male
 Joined Dec 13 2003
 Perth, Scotland
Middle Route Trailhead to Cobra ArchSouthwest, UT
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Sep 15 2009
georgesteelTriplogs 36
Hiking8.10 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking8.10 Miles   4 Hrs   40 Mns   1.74 mph
300 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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From the BLM Ranger Station halfway between Page, AZ and Kanab UT, (Where We checked the road conditions) drive 0.6 of a mile west and turn in to Long Valley Road. It is 7.7 miles to the trail head (see Drive to Cobra trailhead GPS track) the trailhead is also used for the middle route access to Buckskin Gulch.
The road in could become very dangerous if wet, it has steep climbs and is narrow with steep drops both side in places, We met a Jeep at one of the worst points and I think I aged a few years trying to get passed them without going over the edge. There is an old car lying at the bottom of one of the drops, I don't know if it fell from the top, but I would not have liked to join it at the bottom in our Jeep.
From the Trail Head we went south following a fence until we came to a cliff face we then turned left and followed a clear track along the cliff edge for about 2 miles, we found two sets of cairns marking different descents we picked the further cairn. We kept close to the cliffs after we had descended. Ensure to look back and memorise the point that you came down there are cairns but we used the grey area of the rim as a guide.
The area is very similar to the nearby North and South Coyote buttes area with rock formations and sand. The beautiful arch is not the biggest we have been to but it is probably the quietest. It is easy to see why it is called Cobra Arch. We didn't spend long at the arch just enough time to have lunch, Unlike Owen Shakespear who had enough time to chisel out his name. We returned by a different route to the descent point which involved many sand dunes.
George Steel
Scotland.
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average hiking speed 2 mph

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.

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