The Windows

Arches National Park, UT Easy 1 trip report · 14 photos

Hikes near here

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Round trip: 1 mi
Elevation gain: 200 ft
High point: 5,300 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Apr – Nov
Pass: None
Dogs: No usually

Trip report

November 24, 2005

by John Munyan with alexi

Easy 1 hours Verdict: Great

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★★★★★ No votes yet · log in to vote

Directions:
Trail Notes: The Windows is a worthwhile place to stop especially if you are visiting Arches in the middle of the summer or just don't want to walk too far. The windows trail makes a nice loop which can be easily done in less than one hour. Particularly attractive are the North and South Windows which are rather large arches adjacent to one and other. Also there is Turret Arch which looks to be more eroded than Windows.

On balance a good walk about if you have kids - or are there in the summer.

Photos 14

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Reviews 2

Windows Primitive Trail

★★★★☆

Todd Lochmoeller · Oct 24, 2008 · Easy +

The Windows Primitive Trail is a short loop that goes around the Windows formations in Arches National Park in southeast Utah. I followed the trail in a counter clockwise direction.

The first part of the trail goes behind the South Window. The Primitive Trail is not lined with easy steps like the main Windows Trail.

Continuing around there are views of "The Spectacles" from behind. This view is lacking the large nose like formation that you see from the other side.

There are more than 2000 arches inside the park, a surprising number at first, but they are counting a lot of small ones. Keeping an eye out there appears to be a small one high above as the trail winds back to the front of the Windows.

The Parade of Elephants formation near Double Arch comes into view toward the end of the trail and gives a clear view of the minor arch there.

To the left of the main Windows there is an arch that is hard to see as there is a rock wall behind it, but sunlight from above gives it away. This is Biceps Arch. This arch lines up with "The Spectacles" and looks like a third eye, but a blind one.

Very Easy Hike

★★★☆☆

Anonymous · May 7, 2006 · Easy

I took my family with children on this hike. I was very pleased with just how much we could see with little effort. A must do hike if you are with small children or the weather is hot.