Round Trip Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6592 - 6986 feet
Cellphone: 0-1 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Miracle Rock Picnic Area
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic arch
Miracle Rock Arch is located in the Glade Park area near Grand Junction, Colorado. The natural freestanding arch sits at the end of a ridge about a half mile past the areas more famous geological structure known as Miracle Rock.
To get to the Miracle Rock Picnic area drive about 8 miles past the Glade Park Store following DS Road. Turn left onto 9 8/10 Road and continue for 1 more mile to the picnic ground.
From the parking area follow the trail straight through the picnic area where there is a sign that marks the beginning of the Miracle Rock trail.
The moderately sloping trail climbs along the ridge between the trailhead and Miracle Rock for just under a half mile.
The trail comes to a spot where Miracle Rock is about 50 yards away on the right. Straight ahead is a scenic secluded area. To get to the arch one must go to the left at this point and hike around to the east side of the ridge.
Once on the east side of the ridge the route becomes more primitive with no marked trail to follow. It is generally easy enough to find tracks from other hikers to help lead the way.
The ultimate goal is to find the easiest route that will take you up onto the top of the ridge.
There is more than one way to get on top of the ridge depending upon how much scrambling you want to do. The walk up route might be easier to find on the way back than it is on the way up.
Once on top of the ridge it is an easy matter to hike to the end.
There is a large slickrock dome at the end of the ridge. The arch is over the edge about a hundred feet below. To get there pick a route down the slickrock on the left where the descent is much easier.
This picture is taken just above the arch. It is possible to get all the way down to the bench where the arch is if you don't mind doing some scrambling.
We spotted a rock that had some sharpening grooves worn into its surface. This type of groove is made from arrowheads and other points used for hunting and from tools used for cutting.
On the way back to the trailhead you might want to take another peak at Miracle Rock just to make sure that it is still standing upright. There are some pretty good views of it from the ridge above but it doesn't look nearly as precariously balanced as it does when you are standing near it.
