Rifle Arch

...Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful scenic hike that takes you to a remote hidden arch?!

Rifle Arch is a hidden gem that hasn't gotten a lot of recognition, but maybe that's a good thing. Up until recently discovering this arch, I had never heard of it or seen photos of it. It sits just North of the town of Rifle, driving about 5.5 miles off the I-70. Once you exit the 70 highway, head North on the 13. Stay left as you'll pass the sign that directs you towards Rifle Falls State Park. The start of the trail is directly off the 13 highway, so after driving the 5.5 miles, you'll see the large parking lot on your right. The parking lot has a restroom and is also popular for mountain biking. The mountain biking trails are different from the trail to the arch, so look at the maps and signs that are posted. 

Once on the trail, you'll cross the desert terrain towards the rocky hills in the distance. The trail will then take you up a hill passing juniper trees. The trail will then flatten out as you make your way to the hills where the arch awaits your visit! Once you get past an area of juniper tree forests, you'll come to a point where you can clearly see the arch and a seated bench to sit and enjoy the view. The trail is fairly easy up until this point. If you want to get up and close to the arch, you'll follow a faint foot beaten path that'll take you all the way to it. I'd say it's probably a good 100+ feet of elevation and boulder/rock scrambling. When you're finally there, the views are epic and breath taking!

The hike is about 2.6 miles round trip, but pretty doable for just about anyone. When I was there, a family of 4 just arrived as I finished getting my shots. Once you're done, you'll head back the same way you came. This is a dog friendly trail, so bring your furry friends!

As always, leave no trace, and leave it better than you saw it! Never stop exploring!