NOVEMBER 2007 & NOVEMBER 2017
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| FROM BEHIND CASSIDY ARCH |
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| DROP-OFF BEHIND CASSIDY ARCH |
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| CASSIDY ARCH FROM THE TRAIL |
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| CASSIDY ARCH FROM THE TRAIL |
Cassidy Arch is a great 3.5-mile round-trip hike located just a little south of the Capitol Reef National Park Visitors Center. There is a nice parking area and restroom located at the trailhead. From the parking area, you will walk down Grand Wash for a bit, then follow a mixture of trail and cairns up a steep climb. The trail will level out after about a mile or so, where you will get a view of Cassidy Arch in the distance. The trail will then take you all of the way to the top of the arch, where you can walk on top of it if you'd like. Watch your step while walking along the top of the arch, as there are huge drop-off's on either side.
When I first visited Cassidy Arch in November of 2007 I added it to my hike down Grand Wash, which adds about four miles to the hike, but includes some great narrows. I also remember the trail having snow and ice on it in some sections, and actually having to get a running start to make it up one uphill section of snow/ice covered slick rock towards the end. However, when I visited in November of 2017, the ground was dry and the weather was perfect. There is no cost to hike this trail from the Grand Wash Trailhead, but if park in the Cassidy Arch Trailhead you will need to pay a $10 fee. Because it is located so close to the Capitol Reef Campground and Visitors Center, it is likely very crowded during the spring, summer and fall. However, while hiking in November, I saw very few people along the trail.
