Longbow Arch
Making our way to Longbow arch and seeing some Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs
USA
After completing Corona Arch we made our way back along Highway 279 and took the road up to the dirt lot for the Longbow Arch trailhead. At the parking lot they had a small sign with a map as well as an outhouse. The trail is about 2.4 miles long. The initial scramble up the hill from the parking lot isn't very well marked and it took a bit of exploring to figure out which way led to the Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs.
You’ll know you’ve reached the dinosaur tracks when you hike upon a large metal plaque facing a lone rock panel displaying some tracks. This rock panel had actually fallen from the cliffs above and broke apart, landing where it is today. These dinosaurs were theropods and apparently this panel holds the footprints of 10 different individual animals all varying in heights. The Petroglyphs and Dinosaur Tracks were really impressive. We always find it amazing to be able to see something that is literally a piece of history for the area.
Looking at some of the gaps in the rock arch makes you wonder just how much longer the Longbow Arch will stay standing but for now it provides a great destination just off the beaten path in Utah on this unique trail. Happy exploring!
After the Petroglyphs, the trail makes a climb up a section of slickrock where a short run of rebar steps cemented into the sandstone provide easy access through a gap in the cliff to the area above. From there, the hike was much easier to follow with green paint on the ground across the slickrock domes. We then followed it up sandy washes until it reached Longbow Arch.
