This one was personal.
Two years ago I tried to reach Hondu Arch based on a two-sentence description in an old guidebook, but the route ended up being quite high-risk and I had my two teenage sons along. We turned around before reaching the arch and made our way back down the dangerous south canyon and back to the truck.
This time I followed some updated guidance from Michael Kelsey’s San Rafael book and approached from the west, along the top of Jones Hole and through a half dozen small canyons to reach the top of the arch and even circled back to climb under the arch.
I drove down Thursday night in mid-November and overland-camped at the Jones Hole Overlook. Friday AM I had a lazy start while the air temperature heated up a bit, before heading north along the primitive trail.
After about 45 minutes I encountered the first of several canyons that required some careful route finding. Usually this involved dropping northwest into the canyon and looking for a pass in the cliff bands that would allow me to move northeast, which is the direction of the arch. Repeating this a number of times, and glimpsing the approaching arch from time to time, I finally was able to reach the arch top from the north, where the view was incredible.
After summiting the arch, I circled back to the north and descended the top section of “South Canyon”, just down far enough to climb up a steep and loose slope to gain the underside of the arch. Footing was a bit of a challenge and I don’t necessarily recommend this diversion.
Resources:
- The drive in to the trailhead at Jones Hole Overlook can be done from I70 exits 108, 99, or 91. I took 91 following this GPS Track
- There are a few primitive camping sites near the Jones Hole Overlook, and frankly waking up to that view is quite the experience! When I drove in it was dark and I simply parked at the overlook, unable to see anything, so the morning view was a complete surprise.
- Hiking Track
Lessons Learned
- On the way back I attempted a route that would keep me closer to the east overlook (and in a straighter line through the canyons), but kept being stymied by the cliff bands. I recommend following the longer but safer route that drops into each canyon in turn.
- I carried only my Core Hiking Gear on this adventure
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