Cox Canyon Arch

Wink will be hosting this event.  We will depart the trailhead about 5:20 or so.  Arrive at the arch close to six.  Sunset will be around 7:30.  We want to return to the trailhead before the light makes hiking a challenge.  Google Cox Canyon Arch for directions to the trailhead if you want to meet us there.  Those in Durango can meet at the Sunnyside Market parking lot behind Home Depot to carpool/caravan to trailhead.  We will depart the trailhead at 5:20pm.  

There are two trails to access the arch.  One involves scaling a small cliff.  The other trail wraps around the point of this arch’s plateau and gently ascends from the north side.  This is the trail we will take.  This path is more boulder scrambling than cliff scaling.

It will be hot and dry.  Bring water and energy snacks.  Wear clothing that will protect from sunburn and scratches from desert flora.  Insure your shoes have traction soles.  Bring a hiking staff, or sturdy monopod. This is an important balance aid, as the sands are soft and the rocks can be unstable.   The path is randomly marked with little stone carins (part of the adventure of getting there). Also bring a flashlight.

Here are directions from the traffic signal at the intersection of Camino del Rio and Santa Rita Park:

1.  Travel south on Hwy 550/160 through Bodo Industrial Park.   The old Framington Hill intersection is closed.  Just past this intersection is the Wilson Gulch Rd. Exit Ramp.

2.  Take the Wilson Gulch Rd. Exit.

3.  Keep RIGHT at the roundabout.

4.  Drive over the “Bridge to Nowhere" (now actually going somewhere).

5.  Keep to the RIGHT through the next roundabout, which places you on Hwy 550 South towards Farmington, NM.

6.  Continue driving south on Hwy 550 for 20 miles.

7.  At 2 miles past the Colorado/New Mexico border, begin looking on the RIGHT for San Juan County Road 2300.  It is a tiny blue sign with yellow letters.

8.  Turn RIGHT on to Road 2300.  This is a dirt road in an industrial looking area.

9.  Drive for about one mile, where the road will split.

10. Turn Right on Road 2310.  Continue for almost 3 miles. Look for large natural gas pumping station on your RIGHT.

11. At the North end of the pumpiong station’s chain link fence is a dirt road.

12. Follow this road though a dry wash and through an older pumping station.

13. Follow the dirt road a short distance to a small cul-de-sac.  This is the trail head parking area for Cox Canyon Arch.