Horseshoe Bend Trail
Horseshoe Bend Hike: read this before you go is a sign posted along the border of Utah and Arizona about 5 miles from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and just before the horseshoe Bend trailhead. Carved out long ago by the Colorado river as it wound its way through the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is one of those natural wonders all hikers should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Fellow hiker, outdoor enthusiast and Southwest adventure blogger Chelsea Alves over at sunkissedhiker.com (#5 on our list of 50 must-read Adventuring in The Great Southwest Blogs.) was able to experience the awe-inspiring views of horseshoe bend personally on a recent road trip and has put together another informative post on the beauty awaiting those wishing to take the Horseshoe Bend trail hike.
A relatively short trip, the Horseshoe Bend hike is approximately 1.25 miles round trip and is easily accessible to people of every hiking skill level. Be sure to bring sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen as there is no shade along the trail. If bringing along a camera, late afternoon to early evening are the best times to take photographs of the natural beauty.
Chelsea is quick to advise her readers that when taking the Horseshoe Bend hike to be wary and alert when approaching the sandstone cliffs overlooking the bend. The result can sometimes be deadly as experienced by an unfortunate fellow hiker from Greece awhile back. Use caution when posing for pictures, there are no hand railings.
As always, Chelsea offers up her sage advice by providing tips for her readers wanting to take the horseshoe bend hike. For instance, “tip #6: If crowds aren’t your thing, you’ll have to suck it up for this hike. This hike is packed with people most days of the week, particularly mid-day and sunset.”
To read the rest of Chelsea’s tips and experience her first-hand account of the horseshoe bend hike, be sure to visit her blog located at: sunkissedhiker.com
All pictures used in this post are Copyright© Chelsea Alves and sunkissedhiker.com.