Funnel Arch AKA Cable Arch Hike in the Behind The Rocks Area near Moab, Utah

Funnel Arch, also known as Cable Arch, is a medium-to-large arch located near Moab, Utah, just off of Kane Creek Dr. in the Behind the Rocks Wilderness area. The arch is accessed via a short hike. A scramble up a small pour-off is required to access the top of the Behind The Rock Plateau and get to the arch. The pour-off is awkward and may be too difficult for some to pass. The round-trip time needed to complete the Funnel Arch hike is 20 to 40 minutes.

I am often asked when is the best time of year to visit Moab Utah. The answer I give often shocks people... Winter! The following is a description of a short hike we took in January while staying at our 8A3 Moab Vacation Rental to a lesser known arch named Funnel Arch just a few miles away from downtown Moab.

To reach the arch you must first scramble through this narrow gap to reach the sandstone fins of The Behind The Rocks Wilderness area. Remember, climbs never look as steep in photos as they do in real life. Getting up and over this is about the maximum exposure I can handle with my limited skills. Remember, going up is always easier than getting back down. The only way to get down is to have faith the drop is not too far and just send it and hope for the best. I took my wife with me on a separate trip, and she was unable to get through the gap. I would not recommend this trail for kids or those hiking with dogs.

Bag a Great Stay Before You Bag an Arch!

Though the hike to the arch is short, it would be a shame not to explore the Behind the Rocks Wilderness area while up on top of the plateau. This area is known as The Behind the Rocks, I'm not sure how it got its name, but it fits. From the crack, I recommend going to the left and circling around to the arch, even though the arch is to the right. The area the arch is in is not really that large, so all you need to do is wander around a little and you will eventually find the arch.

Funnel Arch is not the largest arch in the Moab area, but the thrill of the scramble to get to the arch and the view from the area around the arch should satisfy any adventure seeker. This is especially true for those who don't like crowds or don't have all day to invest in a hike in Arches National Park. I really like this trail as a Moab winter hike, the low angle of the winter sun makes for great photos as the rocks turn red. I'm not sure why this arch is sometimes referred to as Cable Arch.

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If the snow is not too bad, which it rarely is, you can spend a lot of time hiking up and over the Navajo Sandstone domes. Navajo Sandstone is one of my favorite rocks in Moab. The rocks often form large, smooth domes that are easy to walk up or even drive up on trails like Hell's Revenge.

This is our best "Blue Steel" impression for all you Ben Stiller fans. The views from the edge of the cliffs are some of the best around the Moab area. I really love the way photos turn out when doing winter hikes in Moab, there is something about the red rocks and white snow. Looking east over the Behind the Rocks towards the Mt Peale in the La Sal Mountains. If you are interested in the La Sal Mountains, check out our hike to Mt Tuk.

More scrambling is required as you start down from the Arch. Unlike hikes in Canyonlands National Park, this trail is not marked and has no maintenance, so you will be on your own when it comes to route finding. Be sure to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. If you got hurt up here, it is unlikely anyone would find you soon enough to be of help.

This is another scramble typical of hikes in Moab's Behind the Rocks area. I would rate this hike as difficult. Just look how steep this descent is. Be careful and go with a friend; it is not recommended for solo hikes. If you found this hike fun, I would suggest you also try the nearby hike to the Moab Maiden, just a short drive away on Kane Creek Road.

If you are considering a Moab adventure, we recommend checking out the townhomes at Moab Adventure Condo. We stayed with them, and it was so nice to have room to relax and not be stuck in a cramped hotel room. Since the cost of the rental was split between two families, it actually ended up being cheaper than a hotel room and much nicer. Not to mention, the pool and hot tub were just steps from our condo.