Chinese Arch

 

Chinese Arch

Chinese Arch is located in Promontory Utah, near the Golden Spike National Historic Park.  You can reach the arch without going into the park or paying an entrance fee.  It is only a ten mile drive from I-15 and a dirt road goes right by the arch, so it is very easy to access.  Take exit 365 off I-15 onto highway 83 and head towards Corinne.  At about 16 1/2 miles turn left onto W Golden Spike Drive, and drive about 4 1/2 miles before turning left onto East Auto Tour dirt road.  This is a one-way road, so you'll pass the first entrance to the road, which is actually the exit, and enter E Grade Auto Tour at the entrance.  This is a very short loop (about a mile and a half) so it will only take a moment before you see the arch from the road.  You do not need a four wheel drive vehicle to view the arch, even though it is on a dirt & gravel road.

The arch is named after Chinese workers who helped build the railroad.  The structure it's in was created 300 million years ago, and it's believed that the arch was created thousands of years ago while under Lake Bonneville.  The arch is 15 feet tall.  You can easily walk under and around the arch.  Be aware of rattlesnakes in the area during the summer months.  There is not any shade in the area, other than under the arch.

While visiting Chinese Arch, it's worth the trip to see Golden Spike National Historic Park.  There is a $20 fee per car to enter the park, or a $10 entrance fee per person over the age of 16.  During the summer months you can watch the two trains arrive at Golden Spike at 10 and 10:30 a.m.  There is a program at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays during the summer where they reenact the driving of the last spike.  I have seen the program and recommend it for people of all ages.  Here is a link to Golden Spike's official website:

Golden Spike National History Park

The arch is also a 40 minute drive from the Spiral Jetty.  This is a rock art sculpture created on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, that is sometimes covered with water if the lake is high.  It was created by sculptor Robert Smithson in 1970.  You can read about the spiral at the official website here:

Spiral Jetty

Chinese Arch is definitely worth visiting, especially since there are few arches in this area of Utah.  It is unique in appearance and even made me wonder if it was man-made when I first saw it.  All of the information I've been able to gather state that it is a natural rock arch, created by water thousands of years ago.

The location of Chinese Arch

I-15 to the arch is only 10 miles beginning at exit 365

When you come to this entrance while driving along W Golden Spike Road, pass it and go to the next entrance just a minute later.  This is a one-way road and must be traveled in the right direction.

entrance to the E Grade Auto Tour dirt road

road to Chinese Arch

view of Chinese Arch from the left side of the road

Description of the arch on a plaque by the road

view of Chinese Arch from the road

Me inside the arch

under the arch

view from inside the arch

You can see the road from inside the arch, since it's only feet away

the back side of the arch

behind the arch

behind the arch are these tiny little caves

the rock formation that the arch is in, taken from the side

the arch from the side

Google Maps directions

drive from the arch back to I-15

Pravcicka Natural Bridge

 Pravcicka Natural Bridge in Czech Republic

Pravcicka Gate, or Pravcicka Brana is the largest natural bridge in Europe

You can watch a video about my hike to this natural bridge at this link:

Pravcicka Gate

In Bohemian Switzerland, Czech Republic stands a magnificent arch that you may have seen before without even realizing it.  The film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" features a scene at just past one hour into the film where for only a moment, Peter, Susan, Lucy, and the beavers cross a large natural bridge.  That bridge actually exists, and is not very difficult to get to if you happen to be visiting the Czech Republic.  The actors did not actually stand on the bridge - no one is allowed to go on top of the bridge because of erosion in recent years.  Additionally, it would have been very dangerous for them to climb on top of the bridge in the winter.  They were digitally added to the top of the bridge.

Although you can't climb on top of this bridge, which is 87 feet tall, you can stand underneath it if you complete a 2.2 mile hike, which is mostly uphill.

Our route from the starting point near Hrensko

My route tracker measured the distance of the hike at 2.22 miles

Park at the waterfall parking lot in Hrensko and head up the road until you see signs for the trailhead.

The trail is busy with plenty of other people hiking.

The trail is developed and easy to walk, although uphill

 

And finally, the natural bridge comes into view...

To actually stand under the bridge, you have to pay an entrance fee of 4 euro at the gate to the left of the bridge.  Once inside, you can explore around the bridge and even purchase a bite to eat.

Under the bridge

Me, my son Micah and daughter-in-law Jancy, and grandsons Krew and Kyden under the bridge

The view from the bridge is amazing!  It is not the same view from the Narnia movie -- that was digitally created or taken somewhere else.  Here is the actual view from the bridge:

See the hiking trail down below?

Under the bridge

Take the trail that begins behind the restaurant to get an even better view of the bridge from above.  It is a little bit scary for heights, but I made it and I'm terrified of heights!  It is worth it!

Notice the small arch on the skyline just to the right of the Pravcicka.  I have not been able to find out what that arch is called!

After exploring and relaxing under the arch and in the beautiful area up there, then it's time to begin the 2.2 mile descent back to the parking lot.  This is quite a bit easier than the hike up!