A rough and strenuous hike along a typical Rocky Mountain stream course and up a steep ridge with a view of one of BC's most spectacular geological oddities, a stone arch which soars 50 feet above a small stream, spanning a 100-foot wide canyon. In dry weather late in the summer, EXPERIENCED HIGH COUNTRY HIKERS may closely approach the arch (cautiously). The trail follows the left side of the creek for 4.5 kilometers. It has received little maintenance lately and some sleuthing may be needed to find it in places. Part of it is washed out in this section, but one can scramble across the damaged area with some caution. The washout has been bypassed by a couple of single-log crossings of the creek and a section of trail on the other side, but the upper footlog can be quite hazardous at times. The reroute around the washout is therefore not recommended.

The trail heads steeply uphill after crossing a side creek. It continues uphill for 1.7 kilometers where the first view of the arch may be had. From here, strong, experienced hikers may continue up the goat trail to the top of the ridge and into the alpine, and make a circle route. Hike southwest along the skyline to the top of the Baker Ridge Trail, then down the ridge trail and back along the road to the 3-tiered sign. For experienced mountain hikers wishing to visit the arch itself, please note the following for your own safety

(1) The arch spans a steep, smooth bedrock chute covered in loose rocks, dirt and mud. Do not approach the arch in wet weather or early in the season, as a disastrous slide down the chute is possible.

(2) Best approach is from a point on the ridge trail approximately level with the arch, where an alpine bench slopes steeply down to the left into the streamcourse between the arch and the trail. Traverse this drainage somewhat below the level of the arch, and then climb past small groups of trees and approach the saddle behind the eastern (near) terminus of the arch.

(3) The urge to photograph the great soaring rainbow of rock from directly beneath can be almost irresistible. Please don't turn yourself into a statistic by falling down the chute while gazing skyward.

From Valemount follow highway 5 north to Tete Jaune Junction, then take highway 16 west to the Baker Creek Rest Area (Distance from Valemount: 59.7 Km.).The Baker Forest Road, paved for the first hundred yards, leaves the highway nearly opposite the rest area. Follow this road to the large Natural Arch Trail sign and find a parking spot. On foot, descend the old road just past the sign and continue up Baker (Holliday) Creek valley.

About 5 hours round trip to the first lookout. Allow a full, strenuous day for the loop trip described above.