Hike to Kachina Natural Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument

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Kachina is "the middle bridge." Spanning the canyon equidistant from both Owachomo and Sipapu bridges. It is larger than Owachomo but smaller than Sipapu. Proving that canyons are dynamic rather than static, approximately 4,000 tons of sandstone fell from the inside of the Kachina bridge opening in June 1992, enlarging the opening as it has no doubt been enlarged time and time again. The bridge is visible from a viewpoint, but hiking to the base of Kachina brings new perspectives. As you stand beneath this massive sandstone structure, it becomes clear why the Paiute referred to natural bridges as “under the horse’s belly.” The trail starts at the Kachina Bridge parking area and follow the paved viewpoint trail to the split. Take the unpaved trail to Kachina’s base, approximately 0.7 miles (1.13 kilometers) one-way. This hike is extremely steep and considered strenuous. The trail descends 462 feet (140 meters) from the canyon rim to the base of Kachina Bridge. Be prepared to traverse a wooden ladder, rock stairs, wooden stairs, and switchbacks. Those looking for a shorter trail should consider walking to the Kachina Bridge Viewpoint or hiking the trail to Owachomo Bridge. Government surveyor William Douglas named the bridge Kachina when he found petroglyphs and pictographs depicting dancing figures carved on the base of the bridge. Douglas assumed that the ancestral Puebloan people who left the ancient rock art were related to the present day Hopi people, and that the painted and carved figures represented Kachina dancers. Before Douglas, local cowboy Jim Scorup named the bridge "Caroline" in honor of his mother. Before that, Cass Hite had named it "Senator." Height: 210 feet (64 meters)Span: 204 feet (62 meters)Width: 44 feet (13 meters)Thickness: 93 feet (28 meters) Elevation Change One-way (from Rim to Base): 462 feet (140 meters) loss, 32 feet (9.7 meters) gain. There is a pit toilet located at the Kachina Bridge parking area. There are flush toilets outside the visitor center. The nearest water is available at the visitor center.

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