Otho Natural Bridge

After hiking the Hidden Valley Trail, near Moab, we wanted to add another outing to make our long drive worthwhile.  Once, again, we turned to the Desert Drifter's YouTube channel to find an adventure that might be known to "the locals", but not overly promoted that it would be heavily visited by many tourists.  After a little searching, we decided on Otho Arch and began making plans for a route that would take us into the North Fork of Mill Creek where we would take a side canyon up to Otho Natural Bridge.

Starting out on a cold December morning in Moab . . .
We parked just off the Sand Flats road and walked this two-track to the canyon's edge

After a mile of easy walking, the road ended at this amazing overlook . . .

From here we needed to find a way down to the canyon floor.  There was very little "clear" information on the internet as to how we were to accomplish this.  However, piecing all the information together, it seemed like we needed to: 1. Find and walk a sandstone shelf 2. Make our way through some sandstone fins 3. Take a side canyon that would lead us down to a trail in Mill Creek Canyon.  All we knew for sure was that we needed to be on the other side of the "Three Fingered Jack" rock formation pictured above.

Just to the west of the overlook we found what, at first glance, looked like an impassable slope of sandstone . . .
However, upon closer examination, this was the start of the shelf walk
that provided an easy skirt around the formation

Now it was time to find our way through the sandstone fins . . .
We were expecting this to be the hardest part of the hike, but in reality was very easy!  Just stay as high and close to the rim cliffs (on Kent's right), as possible, and this will allow you to bypass all the ups and downs necessary to get through the fins (on Kent's left)

Eventually, walking under the rim's cliff will lead you to this sandstone fin . . . 
There weren't many options at this point, so the obvious choice was to walk this fin down towards
the wash below . . . which, as it turned out, was exactly what we were suppose to do!

Once down off the sandstone fin, a social trail began to form on the flats above the wash . . .
This lead to the side canyon that we would follow to the main canyon floor

Ah, the "Three Fingered Jack" and we're on the right side (west side)!
 We're almost down!

Once down on the canyon floor, we followed an unmaintained trail for about a half mile

North Fork of Mill Creek
Allison kept telling Kent, "You never said anything about crossing a stream!"
(As you can see, it's nothing too bad . . . you may have to walk up/down for a ways to find a suitable crossing) 

Frosted leaves and moss

Icicles
The creek was cold and, yes, Allison, we need to cross it!

 Kent found a good spot . . . a rock hop, skip and a jump . . .  we made it!

Heading south into Otho Canyon . . . 
After crossing the creek there are many different trails, heading into the canyon,
but they all quickly merge into one main trail . . .
It was about a half mile walk to the end of the canyon and Otho Natural Bridge

Hopefully, you will see this stained wall . . . if you do, you're in the right canyon!
(Notice how well defined the trail has become)

This was an unusual plant . . . it's called Indian Milkweed

We have arrived at the amazing Otho Natural Bridge!

View from the inside looking out

Here are the happy explorers!

One more look before we head back

A magnificent monolith of sandstone catching the last rays of sunshine for today

Allison couldn't identify this plant (possibly leftover remnants of a fireweed??) . . .
Regardless, it was unique and justified a picture!

Almost back to the "Three Fingered Jack" and the side canyon we'll use to return to the top

Working our way up the well defined social trail . . . it had a nice grade to it

Atop the rock fin, once again, and looking back on where we have come

Now it's just a horizontal hike over to the shelf . . .
These twisted Utah Juniper trees showcase the middle cluster of the La Sal Mountains

Walking the shelf . . .
Just around the corner will be the scenic overlook, where we first started

Don't let Kent fool you . . . it wasn't that scary!

We could see this window from down in the canyon . . . It's located under the Overlook . . .
We bet most people miss it as it is not visible when you're standing on top

Engagement Ring Rock, official name or not . . . it fits!
(This is where the two track road ended . . . now it's just a ¾ mile walk back to the Sand Flats road)

Wow, what a great hike!  It had a little bit of everything . . . route finding, beautiful scenery, a little elevation loss/gain, a stream, and a beautiful arch . . . what more could you ask for?  Oh, and we didn't see another hiker the entire day!  Our trek was approximately seven miles (r/t) and took us around five hours . . . it certainly could be shortened if you were to drive a vehicle to the end of the two-track, but if you do, be prepared with an off road vehicle as you will be driving/dropping down off ledges of sandstone.

If you'd like to see this hike through the eyes of the Desert Drifter (and his wife), you can find a link to his video by clicking here.  We highly recommend this episode as he uses his drone to shoot some amazing shots of North Fork of Mill Creek Canyon and Otho Natural Bridge.

Hidden Valley

Several months ago we were watching an episode of Desert Drifter and were intrigued by the ruins and petroglyphs Andrew had shown . . . we both commented on how much we'd really like to see this place for ourselves.  So, with a little help from Google Lens we began a search to see if we could locate the vicinity of the ruins. It took a little while, but eventually we were able to narrow the search to an area just outside the town of Moab.  Seeing that several nice sunny December days lay ahead (with no wind), and having nothing pressing on our calendar, we headed for Moab.

   The Hidden Valley trail looks intimidating . . . at first glance we wondered if there really was a trail!
This 600 ft scramble on steep rocky switchbacks (over ¾ of a mile) is the crux of the hike
We found it humorous that the BLM refers to the rocks as "Barney Rubble!"

This time of the year the cliffs block the sun for the majority of the day . . .
This allows the rime frost to form some unique and fun crystals

Kent is working his way over the "Barney Rubble" as we head for the saddle
(At the saddle the hike becomes an easy stroll as you enter Hidden Valley)

We've reached the top of the switchbacks . . .
We had nice views of Spanish Valley and the La Sal Mountains

As you can see, Hidden Valley is a walk in the park

After walking another mile and a half, we arrived at the ridge where the ruins are located
(The arrows point to the ruins . . . click on the picture to enlarge)

Kent is approaching the spine of the ridge . . .
Is it really possible those ruins are on top of this knife edge?

For perspective . . . Kent stands in a gap of the cliffs . . .Wow, these are tall!  

There is only one way up to the first ruin and it is narrow!
(Approximately a fifteen foot chute, with very few places to put your feet on the bottom five)
 As you can see only one of us made it up through the slot!

Interesting! Was this a watch tower?

This is definitely a different type of ruin

Allison walked to the end of the knife edge on the ridge line . . .
The gap between the cliffs is the one Kent was standing between earlier . . . scary, scary!!

Looking back toward the ruin
(It's hard to see from this angle, but click on the picture for an enlarged photo, and you will see it)

No mortar was used . . . where did they get the rock material from? 

Allison scrambled back down (with her spotter's help!) and we began working our way
 eastward along the base of the cliffs, towards the other ruin
Walking along the cliff band there were several pioneer inscriptions (also known as cowboy glyphs)

Petroglyphs and more inscriptions 

Kent is walking toward the location of the second ruin . . .
It is located above the center crack (the preferred route), although not visible in this picture

We didn't attempt the second ruin . . . we decided not to press our luck!
(There was a possible alternative route up the second crack, but precariously climbing
onto a wide slab of stone with a 300 ft cliff on the other side, gave us the "willies!")

We had the whole place to ourselves!
(Heading back towards the gap . . . where we came up and where we'll head down)

The panels were amazing
(These were certainly some of the best . . . again, click on the picture for a larger format)

Heading back toward Hidden Valley from the Moab Rim Trail

The La Sal Mountains come into view . . . Man, we've had some great hikes in those mountains!
(You can go to our "Map" tab and find the posts of other hikes we've done in the area)

It was cold in the shady sections of the hike . . . the frost was thick! 

More "cool" frost crystals

Almost back . . . we are looking forward to a little sunshine and a Mexican food dinner!

If you'd like to watch Desert Drifter's 13-minute video that got all this started, you can click here for a link.  He has some great drone footage that will give you an incredible feel for the scope and location of these ruins.  Plus you'll be able to see the second ruin that we weren't able to make it to.

If you'd like more information on this hike and an additional route that will allow you to view more petroglyphs, you can click here for a link to Road Trip Ryan's website.  He always does a great job of describing his hikes and provides a map and route description . . . all for free!

For us, this ended up being about a seven-mile hike (r/t) that took five hours to complete.  Thanks especially to Desert Drifter and Road Trip Ryan for their postings that piqued our interest and got us out to explore this amazing area!