Jug Handle Arch - Zion National Park

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: I love the Arches of Zion National Park. Breathtaking in their elegance, these Arches often go unnoticed simply due to the shear amount of beauty that surrounds them. Jug Handle Arch (a propped arch) can be seen from highway 9 (if you know where to look) but even this arch which projects prominently against the blue sky, is lost in the multi-color eye stimulation of Zion National Park.

Special Thanks to Bo Beck and Tanya Milligan for their Zion National Park hiking guide. The link can be found under "other resources"

GPS track can be downloaded from Other Resources under "Trip Report".

Tips: Backcountry Route! Safely hiking backcountry routes depend on your own good judgment, adequate preparation, and constant attention to your surroundings. Your safety is your responsibility.

Jug Handle Arch is located in East Zion. Proceed North on Highway 9 toward Mt. Carmel Junction. Parking is 1.9 miles East of the small tunnel. This parking lot is used for Keyhole Slot Canyon and is usually crowded with cars. A small pullout further East (holds about 4 cars) makes for the ideal parking spot.

At this small parking spot, look directly North where the white sandstone peninsula meets the sky. The Arch is located on the right hand side.

Avoid this hike in the extreme heat of summer, full sun and little shade make this hike ideal for spring, fall or winter. Take plenty of water 2 - 3 liter for the longer view or summit hike.

Jug Handle Arch hike can be divided into two different types; view and summit.

The best and easiest view point is directly up the wash to the Hoodoo's at the saddle. This 1/2 mile round trip hike is moderate, but the view into Keyhole Canyon and the view of Jug Handle Arch is worth it. The second view point is located just below the Arch on the distinctive white slickrock ridge. This 3rd class scramble allows you to reach an ideal viewpoint just below and to the left of the arch.

Jug Handle Arch summit hike requires you to drop into the drainage to the left, bushwacking and steep loose footing will require the use of your hands to help reach the top. Remember everything in the desert is pointed, I'd recommend gloves.

The best place to take a picture is 50 feet further North, from the Jug Handle Arch, this advantage point allows the hollow center of the arch to be seen more clearly.

Use extreme caution and stay away from the very edge of the peninsula, the rock is very weak and could crumble at any moment.

Points of Interest

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Parking

Jug Handle Arch is located in East Zion. Proceed North on Highway 9 toward Mt. Carmel Junction. Parking is 1.9 miles East of the small tunnel. This parking lot is used for Keyhole Slot Canyon and is usually crowded with cars. A small pullout further East (holds about 4 cars) makes for the ideal parking spot.

At this small parking spot, look directly North where the white sandstone peninsula meets the sky. The Arch is located on the right hand side.

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Trailhead and Slickrock Drainage

From this small parking spot, hike North on Highway 9 toward Mt. Carmel Junction about 100 yards. Drop down into the gully on the North side of the road. Use caution, blind curve for vehicles.

Once in the gully, continue North along the slickrock bed. Use the ledge system and weakness on the Right hand side to make the travel easier. At the top of the Ridge are 3 prominent Hoodoos, aim for the saddle between the Left Hoodoo and the Buttress.

Slickrock drainage and view from Hoodoo's Photo

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Hoodoo View Point

Jug Handle Arch hike can be divided into two different types; view and summit.
The best and easiest view point is directly up the wash to the Hoodoo's at the saddle. This 1/4 mile hike is difficult, but the view into Keyhole Canyon and the view of Jug Handle Arch is worth it.

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Keyhole Slot Canyon

If you decide to proceed further, drop down the steep, sandy, slick trail into Keyhole Canyon. Keyhole Canyon is one of Zions most popular (and populated) canyon routes. On my visit I could hear a group already in the canyon. A group of eight was getting ready to enter. Followed by a team of 2, then another group of eight! Slot canyons require permits, technical skill, special equipment and a wetsuit.

Picture: The log above Jerry's head gives you an idea of how high the water level can rise in these slot canyons during a flash flood. I estimate the log jam is 15 feet or more in the air.

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Exit Keyhole Slot Canyon

Continue up stream about 75 feet (just before the canyon narrows again) on your left is a steep ramp that exits the slot canyon. This is the direction of travel. Work your way up the ramp, using the vegetation as handholds. At the 3/4 mark are a pair of small Hoodoo's. Step on top of these small Hoodoo's for another view down into Keyhole Canyon before moving on to the ridge.

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Ridge Line

Continue North toward the Arch, following just below the ridge line and moving toward the large slickrock slab.

Looking toward White Slickrock slab to view point Photo

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The Foundry & Decision Point

Dropping down from the ridge, you cross a large (red) slickrock slab littered with black lava rock. The black lava rock contain amazing shapes and remind one of being on the foundry floor of a ship yard. Impossible shapes and thin square sheets make for an interesting study in geology.

Decision point. View or Summit? For the best View continue working higher toward the white sandstone slab. To approach the Summit, continue at the same elevation and work toward the drainage on your left.

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Jug Handle View Point

The view point located just below the Arch, is reached by following the distinctive white slickrock ridge. Using the ledge systems, work your way up the massive slickrock as high as you are comfortable. This 3rd class scramble allows you to reach an ideal viewpoint just below the arch.

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Bushwacking and Slickrock dryfall toward Summit

If your decision is to stand atop the Arch, then continue North, don't down hike into the drainage floor, allow the floor to rise to met you as you progress around the West side of the white slickrock. Soon bushwacking through the pine trees and underbrush become normal. Staying close where the rock meets the sand allows for easier travel. Follow game trails until you reach a wide stained dryfall and tree covered sand dune to the right of the dryfall. Hike up the dryfall, until you reach a higher spot toward the ridge of the sand dune. Turn Right and hike along the sand dune ridge until you reach another slickrock slab.

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Sandstone Slab to Chute

Again using the ledge systems and weakness in the slab, negotiate higher up this slab. The chute to the top should be very evident now and a faint trail begins to take shape as the firm footing of the sandstone slab gives way to loose sand and rock.

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Chute

As you reach the chute, you'll notice two distinct pathways up. On your left is a dead tree that sits directly in the chute. This is the direction of travel I decided to take, using the tree as solid handholds and footing. Also this side of the chute has some slickrock areas that allow for more solid scrambling. Use caution as some sections of this 3rd class scramble have exposure and many of the very large boulders are loose.

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Plateau and Jug Handle Arch

Once the plateau is achieved, head East. The farthest point allows for a fantastic view into East Zion. Looking back North the rocky outcrop of Jug Handle Arch can be seen. It is difficult to recognize from this angle because the eye of the arch does not allow for light to be seen through it.

Walk North along the rim (use caution as the edge is fractured and weak) until you reach a narrow rock walkway leading to a rock platform, this is the top of the arch. Standing on the platform is breathtaking views down and below to the optional viewpoints discussed above.

The best place to take a picture is 50 feet further North, this advantage point allows the hollow center of the arch to be seen more clearly.

View from Arch top back to Arch View Point Photo

Pictures in this guide taken by: steve625

How does this work?

"I hiked Jug Handle Arch on two different days. First day to the view point below the arch and the second trip to the summit. As someone who enjoys standing on top of things I enjoyed the summit portion of the hike more than the view. However, there is not much to see of the arch when you are looking down!"
Visited on May 31, 2011

by steve625 on Jul 02, 2011