Cassidy Arch is located 1.7 miles from Grand Wash Trailhead in Capitol Reef National Park. The trail climbs steeply over exposed cliffs to the Frying Pan Trail junction, then splits south across wavy slickrock to a viewing area over the arch.

The trail climbs 587' in just 1.05 miles above Grand Wash along exposed slickrock ledges to the split for Cassidy Arch

The arch is named for Butch Cassidy, a notorious outlaw who reportedly had a hideout in Grand Wash

Juniper root systems are extensive: they can reach 25' down and spread dozens of feet laterally to access water

The Waterpocket Fold formed 50 - 70 million years ago as a major mountain building event - the Laramide Orogeny - activated an ancient fault that thrust overlying rock upwards and formed a monocline

The .4 mile spur to Cassidy Arch turns off the canyon rim and runs across open, steep sloping slickrock

Cliffs behind Cassidy Arch look west across a vast, low-elevation desert

Arches can generally be grouped into 5 classes: Cliff Wall Arch, Free Standing Arch, Pothole Arch, Natural Bridge, and Non-Arch Openings

'Waterpocket' is a term that refers to ongoing erosion by water, resulting in the basins, domes, canyons and arches that distinguish the monocline

Rock layers on the west side of the Waterpocket Fold have been lifted more than 7000' higher than layers on the east

Pinyon pine trees provided a reliable and nutrient-dense food source for ancestral inhabitants, with exceptionally high levels of protein and fat

The route follows high open rims which clearly tilt down from west to east

Cassidy Arch first comes into view after 1 mile as the trail wraps around a bend along the canyon rim

Snow may conceal cairns and make travel over steep slickrock treacherous on the final approach to Cassidy Arch

Those with time can venture down Grand Wash and explore the 'Narrows' just 1.3 miles from the trailhead