“Wrather Arch…I’d weather not!” That was my saying when I first reached the Wrather Arch trailhead, but only because I had just walked 18 miles, and I was beat! Wrather Arch is distinguished as one of the least accessible arches in the Southwest. You can’t get to Wrather Arch by a day hike; you must have a Paria Canyon Overnight Permit.
Wrather Arch was first spotted by a local pilot while flying over Glen Canyon. After seeing the arch, the pilot and a National Geographic staff member, Walter M Edwards, flew a helicopter to the arch to check it out. They calculated its height as 165 feet and about 250 feet across. A news bulletin from National Geographic, dated February 4, 1966, states, “Tall as a 15-story building. The Taj Mahal would fit comfortably into the arch…”
Directions to Wrather Arch
To get to Wrather Arch in Paria Canyon, Arizona, you must backpack at least 18 miles from one of the Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch trailheads. The total hike is about 35 miles, starting near Highway 89 in Utah and ending at Lees Ferry, Arizona. Wrather Arch is located about halfway along the trail, a half mile up a side canyon 20 miles downstream from the White House trailhead.
Paria Canyon Permits
To protect the area, advance permits are required if you plan on backpacking. Only 20 spots across four major trailheads (Buckskin, Wire Pass, White House, and Middle Route) are available daily! Day-use permits, however, are available via self-serve envelopes at each trailhead.
There is no lottery for getting permits; it’s first come, first served for online reservations. Permits are available four months in advance on recreation.gov. So, if you want to take a trip in April, you must get your permit in January. Reservations are accepted at noon (12:00 Mountain Time) on the 1st of each month for a permit during the third month ahead.
For more information, click here!
Hiking to Wrather Arch
Even though I was exhausted when I reached the trailhead, I was happy I did the hike. Seeing the arch up close is incredible, and the scenery all around it is spectacular. As I stated, you must hike approximately 18 miles to reach the trailhead. However, once you’re at the trailhead, it’s a relatively short hike (less than 2 miles round trip). The entire hike is beautiful. You can see the arch when you reach the end, but you must climb a steep hill to reach the top and stand under it. Because only 20 permits per day are given for the area, you are highly unlikely to see anyone else at the arch, which provides a peaceful opportunity to sit and enjoy nature in some incredible scenery.
Hiking Paria Canyon
Hiking Paria Canyon offers a breathtaking journey through one of the most stunning and remote landscapes in the American Southwest. There are many hiking options and sites to check out at each destination.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Remember to respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it, and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring the trails and discovering the area’s hidden treasures!