Double Arch via Arch Canyon in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

Hike Double Arch via Arch Canyon Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

Class 2 2.6 miles 1200 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Oct 25, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Double Arch via Arch Canyon GPX Track

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Starting from the Arch Canyon Trailhead, head into the canyon on a well-beaten trail until you get to a sign warning of illegal immigration, etc. Stay right, as left seems to go deeper into the canyon, and head up a steep but well-cairned trail to higher ground. Eventually, you'll get atop a mostly flat area with high grasses. There are cairned routes all over the place, but the one you want basically doubles back, staying parallel with the route you took up the steep gully. This will lead to a lookout point of Double Arch, and some cairns lead down a short gully and right to the base of the arch. I did a lot of unnecessary exploration because not only were there numerous social trails leading absolutely nowhere, Google Maps has "Double Arch" mislabeled. Overall, this is a nice route up to a lesser-visited arch in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

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Head up the official Double Arch Canyon Trail.
Head up the official Double Arch Canyon Trail.
You can see Double Arch above on the right.
You can see Double Arch above on the right.
End of the official Double Arch Canyon Trail. Keep right at the sign.
End of the official Double Arch Canyon Trail. Keep right at the sign.
Heading up a side canyon on a social trail.
Heading up a side canyon on a social trail.
Image 4 from gallery
Looking down the social trail.
Looking down the social trail.
The side canyon/gully levels out in a grassy area. Keep right, paralleling the canyon/gull you just came up, despite the many social trails leading all over the place.
The side canyon/gully levels out in a grassy area. Keep right, paralleling the canyon/gull you just came up, despite the many social trails leading all over the place.
The correct social trail - the gully you just came up is just to the right, below the cliff.
The correct social trail - the gully you just came up is just to the right, below the cliff.
This was taken on one of the incorrect social trails - if you follow the grassy section too far up, you'll get some nice views but won't see Double Arch.
This was taken on one of the incorrect social trails - if you follow the grassy section too far up, you'll get some nice views but won't see Double Arch.
Continuing along the correct social trail - you can start to see Double Arch toward the center of this photo.
Continuing along the correct social trail - you can start to see Double Arch toward the center of this photo.
Double Arch ahead! Scramble down the gully and skirt the cliff edge to get ther.
Double Arch ahead! Scramble down the gully and skirt the cliff edge to get ther.
Image 11 from gallery
Double Arch!
Double Arch!
Image 13 from gallery
Image 14 from gallery
Looking down toward the trailhead.
Looking down toward the trailhead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!