We decided we were good for one more hike before leaving Moab, Utah in the morning and we decided on the rather remote Hunter Arch. The trail was short and the arch was a bit different than those we had previously seen. Driving there was a bit off the beaten path but the air conditioner felt fantastic on such a hot day before hiking again!
Location
Hunter Arch is located in Hunter Canyon about 8 miles southwest of Moab, Utah. It is a 25 minute drive. There will be some ups and downs and sharp turns on a dirt road before you arrive.
The Trailhead
After bumping up and down on the curvy rough road we easily found the trailhead parking lot. We were the only ones there so had our choice of parking spaces. The trailhead was easy to find and the path looked easy enough.
The Hike
This trail to Hunter Arch, unlike the rocky dry canyons we are used to around Moab, and this part of Utah in general, meanders through a lush green vegetative area. It is very pretty and since it was late afternoon, the shade and breeze gave the heat a less oppressive feel. The path was easy with little variation in elevation. A great little hike to end our day with.
Hunter Arch
After about a half mile we arrived to a spot with a great view of Hunter Arch from below. Steve climbed up a few boulders to get a better view and snap some photos. We decided not to hike further and try to climb up into the arch. It had been a long day and we were ready to head back to Moab, clean up and find some dinner.
An Uncomfortable Encounter
Have you ever had an uncomfortable encounter on a hiking trail? You know, the kind where you meet someone and they give off bad vibes, make you genuinely nervous and a bit scared? It has happened a time or two for us but this time, when returned back to the trailhead, a couple who were there gave us those vibes rather strongly.
We came back from the Hunter Arch hike and there was a younger couple sitting near the trailhead drinking beer. They were obviously not dressed or prepared to hike a trail. Immediately upon seeing us, the unkempt man walked to the trailhead sign and acted like he was interested it. Oddly, he kept looking over at the girl with a side eye and a smirk. Simultaneously, she made a bee line to stand between us and our Jeep. She was quite unkempt as well, fidgety, shifty eyed and hyper. As we were close to approaching our Jeep she came right up to us. While totally ignoring personal space standards, she started asking many rapid fired personal questions. Were we locals? Did we own a place near here? Where we were staying? What did we do? How long were we in the area? Where were we going next?
While we tried to ignore her she continued questioning us while standing between us and the jeep. Therefore, making us uncomfortable and hard for us to get around her to reach our jeep. We finally voiced we did not have a home there and we were at a hotel. She wanted to know which one, where, and how many beds we have. Steve voiced just one for the two of us.
Meanwhile, the guy had been inching towards us while watching and listening to the encounter. He caught her eye and pointed over to a private campground across the road. She said rather haughtily “Well, we are just going to the campground to see if those people have space for us, we will be right back”, (like we were going to wait for her!). With that she finally moved so we could get in our Jeep. As they walked to the campground we jumped in the jeep, backpacks still on, I locked the doors and we hightailed it out of there.
Now do I think they wanted anything more from us other than a place to sleep and shower for the night? Probably not, well, maybe our money. But, on the other hand, we are older, 60 and 67, which unfortunately makes us a bit of a target. Although I might add, we can get a bit scrappy if we needed to. We were in a remote area and they were obviously waiting for whomever the Jeep belonged to, that was bothersome. They were unkempt, drinking, shifty, and looked rough. She blocked our path to our jeep and kept moving in front of us as we tried to get around her. He looked very shifty. So who knows? Needless to say, it is unusual for both of us to feel that uncanny, bad vibes, something is not good feeling. I am glad they walked away and glad we took off.
Just a bit of a reminder to keep your head on a swivel when hiking, especially in remote areas. Be cautious, if it feels uncomfortable, do what you can to get out of there. Also make sure you have a plan if this type of scenario happens to you, or worse! Will this keep us from hiking remote areas? Probably not. Although with that being said, I am glad I carry pepper spray, a loud whistle, and I would have no problem using my backpack as a self defense weapon. The rest of the trip we were much more cognizant of people we met. We scoped out the parking lots as we came off the trails. As well as more awareness of where we parked. In addition we decided no more late afternoon, evening hikes in the remote areas.
Conclusion
All in all, Hunter Arch is a pleasant hike near Moab Utah. I am glad we drove the 4×4 for to get here. Other than the road and remoteness it is easy to get to and the hike itself is only 1 mile round trip. If it wasn’t for the remoteness, I would say this is a great trail for families with kids.
Planning
I find the National Geographic Day Hike Map to be helpful when hiking in Moab. You can find the Amazon link here.
I also like the Best Easy Moab Dayhike Guide. You can find the Amazon link here.
For my favorite hiking gear and snacks, check out My Amazon Store at this link.
Planning
I find the National Geographic Day Hike Map to be helpful when hiking in Moab. You can find the Amazon link here.
I also like the Best Easy Moab Dayhike Guide. You can find the Amazon link here.
For my favorite hiking gear and snacks, check out My Amazon Store at this link.
Check out My Amazon Store Here for travel gears & gadgets, travel clothing , bags and books.
I’m an Amazon Affiliate and I do receive a commision for qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
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Also Click on the Below Links for More Utah Fun!
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Fairyland Loop via Tower Bridge Trail June 2025
Bryce Canyon Point to Queen’s Garden Trail, June 2025
Wire-Pass Slot Canyon June 2025
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Hiking the Navajo and Peek-A-Boo trail in Bryce Canyon, Oct 2020
Sunrise and Sunset at Bryce Canyon, Utah, Oct 2020
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Toadstool Hoodoo Hike-June 2025
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That’s a disturbing encounter. Glad everything worked out okay.
I am glad it did too.
That’s a disturbing encounter. Glad everything worked out okay.
Iโm glad youโre both okay! Youโre also correct in that no one can truly know the intentions of someone else. If it feels โwrong,โ it probably is. Sound advice for any of us whether hiking a remote trail or walking on a bicycle path. It is a shame we live in a world where we have to worry about such things. Hereโs to both of your safety in the future!
Thank you, Rick. It definitely felt off, especially since we both felt it. It is truly sad we have to worry about such things but it is also good to be aware. Because of the way the world is these days, I no longer hike or whitewater solo. Happy and safe travels to both of you in the future as well!
Glad you two were ok after that strange encounter!! And glad you had your wits about you and were prepared!
I am glad we were ok too. It was so odd, it felt like they were after something, but not sure what all we could think of. Is they wanted a place to stay for the nights. Hoping we donโt get anymore strange encounters!
Haven’t had such an encounter, but I have ditched a hike because I got a bad vibe in a place where I was hiking alone.
I totally understand that! Better to be safe than sorry.
Sad about some peopleโs conditions, but they obviously werenโt helping themselves get better. I always have a defensive stick I carry or trekking poles when hiking in places I am not quite certain about. And like the Wizard of Oz, โI have some Monkeys, and am not afraid to use them!โ
Hate that we have to be so defensive these days. I hate that because of this type of thing I hate to travel alone anymore. And monkeys are always good to have on hand!
Such a dramatic landscape with gorgeous colours. I’m sorry to hear about your shitty experience at the end. A bad end to what looked like a great experience.
It is sad that the experience took away from the great hike. It was a nice area especially since it was more shaded and different than the rest of the canyons we had been to.
Oh my goodness ๐ซข that’s horrible and so awkward. I am glad you are okay.๐ค๐น
I am glad we are fine too. Awkward is the exact word for this.
Ooo that sounds like a scary encounter; well handled and so glad you got away OK.
It was a bit nerve racking. Just glad they walked away and we left!
Wow, what a shady encounter…it’s crazy to believe that there are unsavory characters even out in national parks, but I guess given their remoteness, it’s not too surprising. Sounds like they were up to no good, perhaps to rob your car or follow you to your accommodation to do who-knows-what. Regardless, I’m glad you two got the heck out of there safely! And I hope that that encounter didn’t ruin your visit of Hunter Arch entirely!
It was shady for sure. So many things went through my mind. I canโt imagine what we would have done if they hadnโt went away. We didnโt let it ruin our trip but definitely kept our guard up on subsequent hikes.
Yikes, that’s really uncomfortable. I’m glad it ultimately turned out okay for you guys, but I would’ve been very put off by that as well. Thankfully the only bad encounter we’ve ever had was with a dog, but it’s unfortunate that these things happen even out in remote nature.
I was just happy I wasnโt solo hiking! We live in a crazy world!