The Natural Bridges loop hike is pleasant eight-mile hike which will take you from Sipapu Bridge to Kachina Bridge to Owachomo Bridge and back to your vehicle. The National Park Service has ladders, stairs and handrails to help you make the descent down to Sipapu from the parking area. I was there while it was raining and was very grateful for the handrails located on the steep parts of the slick rock descent. Sipapu Bridge is very beautiful and is ranked as the thirteenth-longest natural arch in the world. From Sipapu, it is a very pleasant three-mile walk along the stream to Kachina. While hiking this stretch, keep your eyes open for the Horse Collar Ruins located on the right side of the canyon. My first time hiking this stretch I was unaware of the ruins and walked right past them.
Once arriving at Kachina, you can continue past the arch along the right side of the canyon to see some ruins and pictographs along the canyon wall. After visiting the ruins, you will need to backtrack to Kachina and follow the canyon to the left without any water in it. The three-mile hike from Kachina to Owachomo is not as nice as the hike from Sipapu to Kachina. The canyon widens up and there is no running water until just before arriving at Owachomo. If you are trying to budget time and energy, you many want to hike Sipapu to Kachina, and then drive to Owachomo.
When I visited in May of 2009 I saw several people at each of the trailheads to the bridges, but on my six mile walk along the canyon bottom I didn't see anybody. The loop hike is a great way to experience the beauty of Natural Bridges while also feeling some seclusion.
I visited Natural Bridges again in December of 2012, and nearly had the entire place to myself. I was only able to make it part-way down the trail to Sipapu, before it became too dangerous due to ice. However, with a little effort, I was able to make it down to Kachina and Owachomo, as well as the ruins located at the canyon bottom.
