Sipapu Bridge
Natural Bridges NM, Utah

 

     The Sipapu Bridge Trail, located at the bottom of White Canyon in Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, immediately drops 440 feet in 0.6-mile to the creek bed under the bridge—utilizing slickrock inclines, steel staircases, and wooden ladders to manage the particularly steep sections.

     From the Sipapu Trailhead, the trail begins as a rock-outlined route across the slickrock that descends over the rim of White Canyon—occasionally the trail consists of steps carved into the slickrock for better footing.

     Once below the rim, the trail traverses beneath a cliff overhang towards the top of a steel stairway that aids in the descent of an otherwise impassable band of cliffs. Shortly after descending the first stairway you reach a second set of stairs and a wooden ladder that continues down the Cliffside to a spur trail—follow the trail as it curves out to an overlook with a bird’s eye view of Sipapu Bridge in the canyon below. The viewpoint, perched at an elevation of 6,000 feet, is a great place to search for flora and fauna of Natural Bridges—ornate tree lizards and Indian paintbrush are a few of the common sightings.

     Back on the main trail, descend steadily via switchbacks across the Cedar Mesa—gamble oak, junipers, and buffaloberry line the trail. At the end of the switchbacks the slickrock reappears and Sipapu Bridge towers above—make your way down two short but steep slickrock friction pitches. The steep descent is made easier by the presence of handrails and two short wooden ladders—Dar especially enjoyed the challenge of the wooden ladders.

     Back on level ground, you find yourself exploring the seasonal stream of White Canyon wash beneath the vast expanse of Sipapu Bridge—with a span of 286 feet and a height of 220 feet, it is second only to Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world.