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.