Wellsville Arch- Salida area

[tomcat32]

I see this arch high above the Arkansas along US 50 on my commute back and forth from Howard to Salida and wanted to check it out. Interesting feature for the Salida area and great views from the arch itself especially of the southern Sawatch and northern Sangres. Here is the report for my quick getaway close to home and lots of interesting pics.
http://tomcatoutdoors.blogspot.com/2014 ... se-to.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jim Davies]

Before I read your piece I thought you were talking about this: http://cozine.com/2013-december/the-box-canyon-mine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The mountain on your left as you drive west on US 50 there has this hole in the top, and sometimes I used to think I could see light through it (although it now has a gate across the opening).

[huffy13]

Jim, I've seen that hole in that mountain on the way to Salida over the last several years...but didn't know for sure until now that it is indeed a mine. That Wellsville Arch looks like a neat thing to see up close

[tomcat32]

The mine you refer to is pretty close to the arch on the opposite side of the river. I'll have to check out that article because I was curious about the mine opening as well.

[tomcat32]

Just upstream from the Wellsville Bridge across the river there is a brick structure that looks like it may be a kiln similar to the one in the magazine article link. When you see that next to the railroad tracks, the arch is basically straight above that on the top of that ridge. It's easier to spot coming from Salida however. When you are on 50 and cross the Fremont Co line, you can see the arch almost straight ahead on the north side of the canyon.

[vonmackle]

I've been wanting to explore this area for quite a while, but I had no idea there was an arch up there. Maybe this will motivate me to finally do it. Thanks for posting!

[Svenski Norski]

There is a much easier and safer way to the arch than going straight up! Cross the bridge and head east along the river, turn left up a dirt road to get behind the calcite plant. Park. Walk up the steep road toward, then under the powerline. You will enter a canyon that is behind the arch. There is a steep road left that leads up to the road that passes under the arch face, and a path up the backside along the way. Don't go alone at dusk/dawn, cougar country. Very worthwhile. I found the route by looking at the map first.

[tomcat32]

Once I was up there I realized the obvious road route. I couldn't find the arch on a Nat Geo, Latitude 40, or Delorme map to place the road however so close to the arch.

[Svenski Norski]

It was the "Salida-Buena Vista Trails/Recreation Map" by latitude40 out of Boulder.

[Svenski Norski]

Oh- just saw that you had that one, sorry. They showed the jeep trails as little black lines, kinda hard to notice at first. Happy Trails-