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Buck Tank Draw to Birthday Arch - 2 members in 5 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
5 triplogs
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Sep 29 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 401
 Photos 6,370
 Triplogs 371

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday ArchSouthwest, UT
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday Arch
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Sep 29 2025
John10s • Triplogs 371
Hiking5.19 Miles 726 AEG
Hiking5.19 Miles   2 Hrs   29 Mns   2.40 mph
726 ft AEG      19 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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TboneKathy
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We picked this one as short hike for a break on a drive up to southern Utah. I'd hiked to Birthday Arch ~6 years ago and remembered it as a short, easy hike worthy of another visit. We parked along the south side of Highway 89 and passed through a gate in the barbed wire fence, then it was easy hiking in Buck Tank Draw.

There are a few small ledges/pour-offs that we had to climb up or navigate around, but nothing too strenuous. The wash was dry with the exception of a one muddy area under the largest pour-off that we went around. We eventually left the draw for the short climb over to the canyon wall under the arch and took a break in the shade there. [ youtube video ]

I didn't go up to the top of the arch last time and wanted to check that out, so I followed a fairly obvious use trail around the southwest side and up to the top of the cliffs. There were a few potholes with some water on the way over to the arch, and the views were even better views up there. [ youtube video ]

We had the arch to ourselves but did see two people hiking up the draw on the way out. They seemed concerned about the difficulty and mentioned having to climb up the ledges on the way in, but the worst was behind them at that point. Nice to get back to this one again and see the arch from a different angle this time.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sacred Datura
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
 
Nov 30 2024
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 Guides 3
 Routes 428
 Photos 8,405
 Triplogs 610

54 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday ArchSouthwest, UT
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday Arch
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Nov 30 2024
ddgrunning • Triplogs 610
Hiking6.19 Miles 805 AEG
Hiking6.19 Miles   3 Hrs   3 Mns   2.34 mph
805 ft AEG      24 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The day after Thanksgiving was my wife's birthday, so as we were travelling back from Utah and Idaho from our Thanksgiving trip, we decided it would be apropos to hike up to Birthday Arch.

Never been there before. The hike up the draw is easy walking, with a handful of small ledges to navigate in the creekbed. All can be fairly easily negotiated or bypassed.

The arch can be seen before the turn off from the creekbed. There are several use trails that can get you there.

We had the arch to ourselves. After eating our lunch below the arch, we continued on up and around for the view from up top. Great views off towards Lake Powell (though you can't see the lake itself) and Navajo Mountain off in the distance.

On the way back, we walked through the culvert and on down the Draw another .3 mi. or so to a 25-foot dryfall.

Great time of year do to this one. I imagine it's quite toasty in the summer months.
_____________________
 
Apr 26 2016
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 Routes 17
 Photos 485
 Triplogs 510

77 male
 Joined Jan 07 2010
 Chandler, AZ
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday ArchSouthwest, UT
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday Arch
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Apr 26 2016
Mike_Fels • Triplogs 510
Hiking4.05 Miles 443 AEG
Hiking4.05 Miles
443 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We never did find the arch. We didn't have the GPS file for this and after a couple miles in the rain was getting heavier, so we turned around. In fact we got out of the canyon and followed a cow path back to the parking area. Now looking at the GPS and my GPS we were just about there, but didn't see an arch. With the lower AEG listed, the arch must have been down in another side canyon and we were up on the hill.
_____________________
 
Dec 20 2009
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 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday ArchSouthwest, UT
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday Arch
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Dec 20 2009
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking4.00 Miles 150 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   2 Hrs      2.00 mph
150 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Quick "get-out-of-the-house" type hike, since the wife wasn't feeling well. I originally wanted to hit up Spencer Trail today, but the wife wanted a flatter hike, since she's not completely over the stomach bug. Got over to the arch view, but turned back as she was starting to take a turn for the worse. :( Hopefully this bug doesn't linger all break.
_____________________
"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
 
May 03 2009
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 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday ArchSouthwest, UT
Buck Tank Draw to Birthday Arch
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar May 03 2009
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking3.00 Miles 150 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles
150 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked in from the wrong trailhead. Got the truck stuck. Got a late start. All in all, an okay hike, but didn't make it to the arch. Almost back to the highway, a flight of three Apache helicopters roared overhead, about 300 feet off the ground. Only heard them coming maybe three seconds before we saw them; no wonder they can sneak up on the enemy!
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 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Banana Yucca
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 Culture [ checklist ]
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_____________________
"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
 
average hiking speed 2.24 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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