Sipapu Bridge to Kachina Bridge Loop

Our Thanksgiving treat to ourselves was completing the Sipapu Bridge to Kachina Bridge Loop in Natural Bridges National Monument.

We parked at the Sipapu Bridge trailhead to begin our counter clockwise loop. You will immediately descend toward the canyon floor. The descent involves several sturdy and secured ladders. Pause for a photo the Sipapu Bridge, the largest of the three bridges in the park. The Sipapu Bridge is also one of the largest in the world. Though it seems like an arch, this is technically a bridge, formed by the erosion process of water running underneath it.

Once you reach the floor of White Canyon and have your photos under the bridge, continue to your left and follow the water and the trail. We loved looking at the colored rocks, playing with the ice in the water, and stopping to look at Horse Collar Ruins. You can go up to the ruins if you are sure footed and confident with a steep incline up and down to see it and return to the trail.

Eventually, you will come to the Kachina Bridge. I love the color of this bridge and it photographs so well with the trees, Utah blue sky, and your hiking party smiling underneath it. When facing the arch from the counterclockwise approach, keep an eye out on the left for the sign to the trail for beginning your ascent up out of the canyon. 

Catch your breath when you reach the top, then cross the parking lot to catch Mesa Trail for the last leg of your journey back to the trailhead to complete your loop. There is a lot of healthy cryptobiotic crust through this area, so please stay on the trail. 

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous.

Trail Stats: 5.4 miles, loop, 869 feet elevation gain. However, this listed data conflicts with what we personally measured. When we completed it, my app tracker measured 6.24 miles and 1,079 feet elevation gain. 

Trail Finding: Relatively straight forward. A few times while down in the wider part of the river bottoms, we consulted the map to make sure we were not deviating too much from the path due to some washed out trail conditions.

Conditions: Steep descent/ascent involving rocks and ladders. 

Would I Repeat This: Potentially. The hike is long but enjoyable. 

Parking: Spots available at the trailhead by Kachina Bridge and by the Sipapu Bridge trailhead.

Timing: You will have quite the hike up and out of the wash, take into consideration what temperatures are. Also, take caution related to rain or if rock surfaces would be icy or slick.

Downloaded Map: This was helpful to have. 

Fees: You will need to pay the entrance fee or present your National Parks Pass. 

Trails: Horsecollar  Ruins overlook, Under The Bridges Loop, Kachina Bridge, Sipapu Bridge Viewpoint, and Owachomo Trail.