Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch, Bootlegger Canyon, Utah
Markus looking up the steep wall on the Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon, Utah
I feel like I should say - back when we were planning this road trip in early February, the Coronavirus was already widely spreading throughout parts of Asia. Though we were aware of it here in North America, it had yet to "arrive" to our knowledge. While we were doing our trip planning, we were adamant about going to see a natural arch rock formation and we could hardly believe that the only one that allowed dogs and checked off our other boxes was one coincidentally named the Corona Arch.
The stop here was a part of our two-week road trip series beyond the Pacific Northwest to places like California, Nevada and we’re currently in Page, Arizona. We spent some more time around Page since there was so much to do and it served as a hub for us as we visited some of the surrounding areas. On one of these days, we squeezed in two stops in Utah where the first one a quick stop at Goosenecks State Park. The second stop was a hike at the Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon.
Markus posing in front of the Corona Arch at Bootlegger Canyon, Utah
That was nearly 4 months ago and now having done the trail and sharing about it with our friends after the fact, people actually think that we chose to do the Corona Arch Trail as some sick humour, but the name was purely coincidental. All of this was a long way of saying we chose to visit the Corona Arch (and Bowtie Arch) because it was the only one that allowed dogs that we were able to squeeze in with our limited time.
The Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail
Type: Trail
Length: 3.7 km
Traffic: Moderate to Heavy
Route Type: Out & Back
Because of where we started the day, we weren't able to arrive at the Corona and Bowtie Arch Trailhead until mid-afternoon. By then, the trail was fairly busy and the weather was nice and hot. As we were approaching the trailhead, we noticed just how many were rock climbing off the side of the road. Cars were pulled over and lawn chairs were set out and adults and children alike were scaling these walls together. When we arrived, we lucked upon a parking spot, which appeared to be fairly limited (but it looked as though you can park in the area next to the lot).
The Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail was an easy to moderate hike with a bit of an elevation gain at some points. Unlike the trails we're used to in the Pacific Northwest where trails cut through trees and the paths are often obvious, the Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail is more desert-like and much less obvious. For this reason, it was nice that there were paint marks along the ground that mark the way to go.
The path on the Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail is marked with green paint on the along the ground
Along the way, there are incredible views and plenty of areas to take a break from the walk to appreciate nature and the rock formations. On the way to the Corona Arch, you'll also pass by the Bowtie Arch, which is just next to it. From a distance, the Bowtie Arch doesn't look like an arch, but a gap in the wall. If you're able to go up closer, you'll see that Bowtie Arch is indeed open towards the back and it is truly an arch.
What's neat about the Corona Arch is that you can actually walk up to and under it. Since so many arches are fragile, a lot of them don't allow humans (and dogs) to go up to it. Most of them are viewed and enjoyed from a distance, but the Corona Arch is one of a few where you can go up to it and even walk under it.
Markus finding comfort in the shade on the Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon
Dog vs. The Steep Walls
On this trail, there are two steeper walls that require a bit of climbing. The first one is a steep rock wall with notches for footing and a metal rope alongside. It's a bit more of a climb than, let's say, going up the stairs with a railing so while it's easy enough for most, it can still be difficult for some. Once you're past this first steep wall, you'll come across the second steep area which actually uses a ladder to get to the top.
From the first steep wall, you will be able to see the Corona Arch at a distance from here already. At the base of this steep wall, there were a few older hikers who didn't feel comfortable scaling up the notches with the metal rope, so they hung around the base until their families came back down. It's worth mentioning that they were more than happy to see the Corona Arch and the Bowtie Arch from here, even from a distance.
So the question is: How is it and how did Markus do?
Markus appreciating some of the different rock formations on the Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon
Well, we failed.
Dogs are definitely able to make it up and we thought that with a bit of momentum, we'd be able to defeat this wall with Markus, but he tried once and then started sliding back down. Once this happened, he was spooked and wouldn't try again.
It's a bit hard because if your dog can't go off-leash, the notches are really only wide enough for one of you at a time. It's steep enough that you would be wise to hold on to something (whether it be the rope or the actual wall) and you're hanging onto the leash with your other hand. Ideally, your dog can use the notches to go up, but you'll have to guide them up before you. (You also have to make sure that people aren't coming down at the same time as well.)
Once Markus missed and slid down the first time, he wouldn't try again, so we just started to take in the Corona Arch from a distance. From here, you can see the Corona Arch pretty well, but the Bowtie Arch wasn't quite as obvious. Some of the other hikers that were waiting for their families here offered to watch Markus for us while we completed the hike, but we were tight on time so we just accepted defeat.
But wait, there's a shortcut
It is said that for both of these steep walls, you might be able to scale the left side of the wall with the notches and rope and slowly to make it up a different way. Keep in mind that there's nothing there to support you, so do it at your own risk and safety. We were so caught up in the moment of trying to scale the regular wall that even though we read up about this "left side", we forgot to check it out when we were there!
Aside from the arches, there are plenty of other rock formations to appreciate on the Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon
This is also to say that we never made it to the second steep wall. Obviously, your dog won't be able to use the ladder, but the same research we did talked about another shortcut that also happens to go up the left side of that wall. We never made it there, so I can't really tell you about it, but supposedly this one's not as steep as the first one.
So to sum it all up: Just remember that if you're planning on doing this hike with your dog, you will eventually hit two separate steep walls and for both of them, look around to the left side for an easier path. Again, these aren't dedicated paths or trails, so be careful and only do it at your own risk.
Note: It should go without saying that it gets pretty hot here. We did this trip in early March and most people were in shorts and t-shirts already. If you're planning to do this hike with your dog, just make sure to bring lots of water for yourself and your dog and something for them to drink out of. Markus had long-tongue around the peak of the hike and we had to stop multiple times to give him water.
We like to carry a collapsible bowl like this with us - it is light and can hold a lot of water.
Markus taking a break from the hike on the Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon
What we liked
The two arches and the fact that dogs are allowed to be on this trail made it an easy choice.
Beyond the arches, there are so many other things to see along the way. Coming from the Pacific Northwest, these types of rock formations are so unique to us.
The hike itself wasn't too difficult (although not for everyone and possibly harder for dogs). It was hot, but the difficulty vs. the view you get at the end makes it completely worth it.
What we didn't like
Nothing, really. It's too bad that the two steep walls make it harder for dogs and even though Markus didn't make it up, we appreciate the fact that dogs are even allowed here to begin with!
Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs
There were quite a few dogs on this hike and a number of them were off-leash, but Markus didn't have issues with them. It's likely because the dog owners are so focused on the hike and not stopping for the dogs to meet, so the dogs take after them. It was also so hot that it almost felt as though the dog didn't want to bother each other and just wanted to focus on the hike.
Keep in mind that there are a lot of people doing this hike. We did it on a Saturday in the afternoon when you would expect it to be peak busy, but it was also in early March. If your dog isn't great with people, you might want to find a quieter time of the week or earlier in the morning. That said, the trail is so wide that you can always walk off of the main path.
Disclaimer
Markus is a reactive, but not aggressive dog. His instinct is to avoid other dogs and he may growl, bark or lunge if provoked, but will not attack. We normally do not have issues with leashed dogs when both sides are controlled, but we will be on guard when an oncoming dog is not leashed. There are varying levels to a dog’s reactivity and only you can decide if this park, trail or hotel is appropriate for your dog. Our visits generally will not include off-leash areas; most experiences shared on The Markus Project are within leashed or undefined areas.
Please remember that our past experience visiting a park, trail or hotel may not be the same as your experience at the same park, trail or hotel. We have no control of who visits the park and whether they adhere to park rules - like leashing their dogs on leash-required paths - or not. Please use your discretion with the information provided and with your personal knowledge of your dog’s reactivity when visiting these parks, trails or hotels.
