Hike to Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef
Hike Stats
Trail: Grand Wash and Cassidy Arch Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles RT (Cassidy Arch from Scenic Drive TH), 6.2 miles RT (Arch + Grand Wash spur to the Narrows), 7.5-8 miles RT (Arch + Grand Wash Trail from Hwy 24 TH)
Elevation Gain: 650-950 feet
Location: Capitol Reef National Park
Date Hiked: September 2019
Getting Here
There are two main trailheads for this hike. The most popular is the trailhead at the end of the Grand Wash Road which is a dirt road off of the Scenic Drive (requires entrance fee or park pass). This is the shortest way to hike to Cassidy Arch. The other trailhead is located on Highway 24 which is the main highway that goes through the park; this way nearly doubles the distance but takes you through the entirety of Grand Wash.
The Hike
From the Highway 24 TH, I started down the Grand Wash Trail. The elevation gain here is minimal but you are walking on either sand or a soft surface the whole time so it is deceptively tiring. The walls continued to grow higher and become narrower as I hiked further in; it was really cool to see the patterns and holes prior floods had left on them.
After about 2.25-2.5 miles or so I came to the junction with the Cassidy Arch Trail on the right. Of note, if you are starting from the Scenic Drive TH, then the junction will be on your left after about 0.2 miles on the Grand Wash Trail. The trail steeply ascends up a series of switchbacks where most of the elevation is gained. Thankfully there was plenty to distract me from my heavy breathing.
Not long after completing the switchbacks, the trail became a bit more difficult to follow as it crossed the slickrock, relying on cairns (small rock stacks maintained by park staff - please don’t make your own) to mark the route.
Before the final ascent I was rewarded with an amazing view of the arch from afar. My aging camera phone that I had at the time definitely did not do it justice! Cassidy Arch itself was absolutely incredible! Not only was the red-ish sandstone arch really cool, but the backdrop of the white sandstone domes and peaks and other colorful rocks behind it made the scene simply stunning.
I had the arch to myself for quite some time but was thankful when a mother-son duo came along and offered to take my picture on the arch. Hopefully me on the arch gives you some perspective on how big this arch really is.
The hike back was relatively uneventful but I’m not going to lie, the trek back through the Grand Wash was a bit of a slog. In the future I probably would skip this section.
Trail Tips
The Grand Wash is certainly interesting, but to be frank, if you’ve already been to other narrows and slot canyons, I think it’s fine to skip. If I were to redo this hike I would start at the Scenic Drive TH off of the Grand Wash Road.
This hike is exposed the entire time so I would recommend either starting early or later in the afternoon if time permits to avoid having the sun beat down on you from right above the whole time.
As always, bring more water than you think you need along with something (snack, sports drink, etc) that can give you calories and electrolytes.
The arch is wide enough to safely and securely stand on, but please watch your kids and kids-at-heart carefully as it only takes one misstep for something awful to happen.
While Capitol Reef is the least visited of the Utah parks, it has only gotten more popular over the last few years so try to do this hike mid-week and avoid holiday weekends/spring break times if you’re able. When I was there in 2019 I was the only person at the arch for a long time but when I passed by the trailhead last March it was packed with people waiting for parking. Still less crowded than Arches or Zion though!
Nearby Attractions
Little Wild Horse Canyon slot canyon
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