La Boca Arch - Moab - Family Fun

La Boca Arch
Harold's Arch

Moab
Arch Hunting

La Boca Arch is a fun place the entire family can visit. The region is off the beaten path which eliminates the typical tourist crowd. Remote primitive camping is located nearby and the eye pleasing Harold's Arch is just a short hike away.

General Information:
La Boca and Harold's Arch are located in the middle of enchanting Entrada sandstone formations. Visiting both arches can be accomplished in as little as one hour, but camping in the area allows more time to explore among the sandstone fins and spires.

Navigation for visiting the area is easy. A GPS is useful in locating the arches. Good map reading skills and the USGS 7.5' Map titled "Cisco SW" are essential. All waypoints and maps use the WGS84 datum.

The best primitive campsite in the area is located at the base of La Boca Arch, but the site requires a four wheel drive to access. Primitive slickrock camping (N38° 47' 38", W109° 25' 22") with excellent access to the Entrada rock formations and accessible to all vehicles is available 1/2 mile before the final turn-off to La Boca Arch.

Arch hunters will be happy to note that this trip combines well with a visit to Covert Arch.

Trailhead Information:
While this route is located just outside of Arches National Park it's a long drive to the trailhead because the arch is located on the backside of Arches National Park. The road is normally suitable for high clearance vehicles and carefully driven passenger cars in dry weather conditions. The area is criss-crossed with roads. Stay on the road described until told to turn off of it.

From Green River, Utah: Travel east for 18 miles to Crescent Junction (where I-70 meets Highway 191).

From Moab, Utah: Travel north on Highway 191 for 30 miles to Crescent Junction (where I-70 meets Highway 191).

From Crescent Junction: Follow I-70 east for 11 miles to Exit 193 (N38° 56' 32", W109° 36' 53"), signed Yellow Cat. Exit I-70 and turn south. Follow the graded Yellow Cat Road southeast for 6.2 miles to a fork (N38° 52' 04", W109° 33' 00"). Take the east (left) fork. Continue following the road for 2.1 miles to the Yellow Cat Mine Ruins (N38° 50' 53", W109° 31' 42"). The ruins are located on the east side of the road.

From The Yellow Cat Mine Ruins follow the road east for 1.0 mile to a fork (N38° 51' 01", W109° 30' 38"). Take the south (right) fork and follow the road 2.6 miles to a fork (N38° 49' 27", W109° 29' 48"). Take the east (left) fork and follow the road 3.1 miles to a junction (N38° 48' 31", W109° 26' 53"). Take the south (right) fork and follow the road 2.5 miles to a junction with several roads (N38° 47' 12", W109° 25' 04"). Carefully driven passenger vehicles and high clearance vehicles can normally reach this junction without problems; beyond this point the road becomes a serious 4x4 track.

From the junction you want to locate the track that leads east, through the fence, and immediately heads due north. Follow the track north to the base of La Boca Arch (N38° 47' 27", W109° 25' 05"). This is also the trailhead to Harold's Arch.

Route Information:
The road ends right at the base of La Boca Arch. From La Boca Arch you must circle east, around the large sandstone formation, and hike cross-country approximately 1/3 mile north to locate Harold's Arch (N38° 47' 36", W109° 25' 09"). Harold's Arch is located on the north side of a large Entrada Sandstone Formation. Look in the slots on the north face to find the hidden arch. No scrambling or difficult climbing is required to reach the arch so if things get tricky you are not looking in the correct place.

La Boca Arch Statistics:
Greater Arch Dimension (GAD): 30 feet. For this arch, the LAD is its span.
Lesser Arch Dimension (LAD): 12 feet. For this arch, the GAD is its height.
Arch Type: Alcove
Rock formation and/or type: Entrada Sandstone

Harold's Arch Statistics:
Greater Arch Dimension (GAD): 8 feet. For this arch, the LAD is its span.
Lesser Arch Dimension (LAD): 6 feet. For this arch, the GAD is its height.
Arch Type: Pothole
Rock formation and/or type: Entrada Sandstone

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