Near Squirrel Creek to Eye of Heaven Arch
Eye of Heaven Arch
Near Squirrel Creek to Eye of Heaven Arch
View from the mesa looking down into the Canyon.
Near Squirrel Creek to Eye of Heaven Arch
View of the Arch.
Near Squirrel Creek to Eye of Heaven Arch
View up Squirrel Creek / Canyon.
Near Squirrel Creek to Eye of Heaven Arch
View from the trail.

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Squirrel Creek to Eye of Heaven Arch

4.0 (1 Rating)
Remote hike to iconic arch.
9.7
mi
Distance
2,173
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingGeologically SignificantViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
9.65mi
Distance
2,173ft
Elevation Gain
2,173ft
Elevation Loss
55%
Max Grade
6,806ft
High Point
5,122ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
Begin by parking at the Squirrel Canyon Trailhead and starting your hike on the well-marked trail from the parking lot. Hike 0.5 miles until you reach Short Creek, a generally dry riverbed, and then start heading up the canyon. Expect to walk on a lot of soft sand.At 1.6 miles in, take a left turn up Squirrel Canyon. As you enter Squirrel Canyon, the trail becomes more interesting than the lower canyon.At 2.9 miles into the canyon, you'll reach an intersection; go left here. Follow the obvious trail until reaching a intersection on the Sawmill trail at 3.7 miles into the trail.Go left again and follow the narrowing road In some places, the trail may become faint or cross over slickrock, but continuing in a straight direction will guide you to the arch. Around 4.7 miles into the trail, you'll be on top of an obvious ridgeline overlooking Water Canyon, where the Eye of Heaven awaits.From here, return along the trail you came on to reach your vehicle. Alternatively, you can make a larger loop by traversing the Sawmill Trail across the White Domes into Water Canyon. This route goes through the Canaan Mountain Wilderness and can be challenging to navigate. I would highly recommend studying the route beforehand, downloading the map, and bringing a GPS or your phone fully charged.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Lower Water Canyon Hike

Hike Route

Lower Water Canyon Hike

Less Crowded
easy
1.53 mi
+1,536 ft
Water Canyon Trail

Hike Route

Water Canyon Trail

River/Creek
strenuous
3.22 mi
+1,746 ft
Hayduke Trail: Colorado City Alternate

Hike Route

Hayduke Trail: Colorado City Alternate

Views
extreme
24.8 mi
+2,372 ft
Wire Mesa Loop

Hike Route

Wire Mesa Loop

Family Friendly
moderate
7.23 mi
+553 ft
Mount Kinesava Summit

Hike Route

Mount Kinesava Summit

Birding
extreme
7.62 mi
+3,719 ft
Steamboat Mountain Pioneer Trail

Hike Route

Steamboat Mountain Pioneer Trail

Views
easy
1.11 mi
+201 ft
Contributors
Wild Mesa Marley