Posts Tagged ‘windy arch’

Visiting Windy Arch

Tuesday, July 1st, 2025

A few years ago I went to the base of Windy Arch in BLM’s White Mountains in the winter. I had to turn around as Eddy the dog was having trouble on the steep hard pack. I had wanted to go back in the summer, and finally got a chance this spring!

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Nome Creek road was closed for construction, so we hiked in from the Wickersham Dome trail…

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Where some smoke jumpers were brushing out the trail – which was a huge improvement!!!

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Such an improvement – from last year..

Windy Arch Loop

And approximately the same area after getting brushed out by the jumpers..

Windy Arch Loop

There were signs of last year’s fire..

Windy Arch Loop

And a bit of recovery..

Windy Arch Loop

We floated a bit of Beaver Creek, camped, and the next morning floated down to near Wolf Run Cabin.

Windy Arch Loop

Then hiked up to Windy Arch!

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch!

Photo complements of Peter D.

Windy Arch Loop

It was very hot – 85f in the shade??

Windy Arch Loop

We camped in the Limestone Jags – so beautiful!

Windy Arch Loop

And the off-trail walking was the best I have ever experienced in Alaska – fantastic game trails, and wonderful dry streambed walking!

Windy Arch Loop

We had a bit of a slog when we had to skip our plan to hike the ridges back to Beaver Creek.. but it wasn’t horrible, just not great..

Windy Arch Loop

Windy Arch Loop

And it did end.. yay!

Windy Arch Loop

The last day we hiked the Summit Trail out, dodging thunderstorms, and just making it out before a big one came in. A few days later, the whole area was closed due to two fires likely started by those storms. Summer in Alaska alas!

This trip was a blast, but if I was to do it again (which I might, it the better parts were really scenic! ) – I would float from ophir creek campground to where Fossil Creek enters Beaver Creek, hike up into the Jags, then out either over Cache Mt or the divide. That would mostly have good walking, and miss the tussock slogs part.
I hope everyone is enjoying summer!