Turtle Back Arch Trail: I love this arch! The patterns on the underside are SO COOL. This is an unofficial trail that makes a great addition if you are planning to hike the Rock Bridge official trail, but isn’t for everyone. Because this is an unofficial/unmarked trail, there CAN be route finding issues and there are a couple “rock scramble” sections that could be dangerous. Turtle Back Arch trailhead is found about 2.1 miles from the start of Rock Bridge Road. It is a pretty leisurely hike through the woods until you arrive at the first “rock scramble” portion. The arch itself is about 1 mile from the trailhead and then after another “rock scramble” portion, the trail connects to Swift Camp Creek trail at 1.3 miles. So, this is a pretty short hike, but completing it as a loop (trailhead>Swift Camp Creek Trail>Rock Bridge Trail) is longer.
View the other videos located here to see the continuation of this trail from the arch to Swift Camp Creek and then another video documenting the first rock scramble in more detail.
Turtle Back Arch Trail: I love this arch! The patterns on the underside are SO COOL. This is an unofficial trail that makes a great addition if you are planning to hike the Rock Bridge official trail, but isn’t for everyone. Because this is an unofficial/unmarked trail, there CAN be route finding issues and there are a couple “rock scramble” sections that could be dangerous. Turtle Back Arch trailhead is found about 2.1 miles from the start of Rock Bridge Road. It is a pretty leisurely hike through the woods until you arrive at the first “rock scramble” portion. The arch itself is about 1 mile from the trailhead and then after another “rock scramble” portion, the trail connects to Swift Camp Creek trail at 1.3 miles. So, this is a pretty short hike, but completing it as a loop (trailhead>Swift Camp Creek Trail>Rock Bridge Trail) is longer. View the other videos located here to see the continuation of this trail from the arch to Swift Camp Creek and then another video documenting the first rock scramble in more detail.
This video covers the section from Turtle Back Arch to the trail connection with Swift Camp Creek trail. You are basically standing on top of Pooch’s Turtle Falls at this point! Don’t miss them on your way out. 🙂
This video covers the first rock scramble of Turtle Back Arch trail in more detail and how we climbed it with Pippin! Like I stated in the previous videos, do not attempt this if you are not comfortable! Darren and I witnessed a rescue mission for a girl who injured her ankle while attempting this trail last winter.
Tread the Red 
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