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We had arranged for the kids to spend the weekend with family so April and I we could spend the weekend doing non kid friendly hikes. After reading Udink’s Trip report April and I decided to check out a new area of the swell and find the three arches in the Ernie Canyon area.

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(this map is approximate …. if you are going to do this hike its your responsibility be properly prepared)

A HCV is required to reach the mouth of Ernie Canyon and there was also a bit of sand so I would highly suggest something with 4wheel drive. We started our hike at the edge of the WSA boundary at the mouth of Ernie Canyon. The wide box canyon winds back and forth until it opens up beyond the San Rafael Reef.

Looking deeper into Ernie Canyon.

At this point we left the wash and hiked up the south side of the Canyon. Not far off the canyon floor we ran across Ernie Arch. The Arch was tricky to view from the bottom and hard to photograph from above.

After a few photos at Ernie Arch we started the long, steep, and hot hike up to the rim of Ernie Canyon.
April enjoying the view from high above Ernie Canyon

Onward to Hurst Bridge.

After bypassing the short box canyon and large dry fall the landscape changes dramatically.

Hurst Birdge is just around the corner in this shallow slot canyon on the right.

Hurst Bridge.

After a nice long break in the shade we hiked up the drainage beyond Hurst to find Exclamation Point Arch. About 1/4 mile later we came across the first “Chasm of Death”.

In this photo the Hurst Drainage is on right, Exclamation Point drainage is on the left, and the Chasm of death is in the center.

We then followed the ridge south to the high point of the the area. Awesome views in every direction.
East

North west.

South

To go beyond this point requires decent route finding and navigation skills. This is the first crossing, very easy. But falling 10′ to the left or right of this rock could be the last thing you ever do.

After the crossing stayed high along the ridge until the GPS said we were directly south of the Exclamation Point Arch. We worked our north towards the rim, we found a route down into the drainage about 100 years up canyon from the Arch.

Exclamation Point Arch

Photos from the lowest ledge.

April sitting on the lowest ledge.

We spent a fair amount of time trying to find a route down under the arch. From what I could see from the north side would be impossible. I am pretty sure I found a route on the South side, we climbed down 80% of the way and stopped at a point where I would have needed a rope to assist me in climbing down to the bottom. From the looks of the route I was pretty confident I could climb up it with no assistance. But by this time the sun was going down and we had a long way to hike back … so we left that for another day.

We climbed back up to the view point and started walking the ridge line down towards Ernie Canyon.

On top of the large dry fall and short box canyon.. on the way down.

Setting sun on Ernie canyon.

One last break before we hike down the steep hill to Ernie Canyon.

Back down in Ernie Canyon the rolling domes looked awesome in the low light.

We made it back to the car in 4 hours and 45min. We spent that night at the only campsite at the head of Ernie Canyon. We had a great night and played around a bit with the camera in the moonlight.

No shade to be found at this campsite so we were up bright and early with the sunrise. We drove the 4×4 roads south along the front of the reef towards Temple Junction.

Next stop… The Ding Dang Loop.