Dome Plateau 2.5 - 3.5

This trail has a bit of everything - several arches, two overlooks, a spring in a cave and optional challenges.
Dome Plateau is covered with roads and there are a lot of choices for which ones to take.  We enjoy the one shown on this website.  TrailDamage.com and Jeep Safari are both slightly different trails.

​Description is in a clockwise direction.

There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page.
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Looking out a cave at Cave Springs
Start the trail by climbing a few small ledges on the way up to the plateau.

Less than 2 miles into the trail is a spur (left) to the first overlook.  This is not a spectacular overlook, but it is an option.  The photo shown is on the way out to the overlook.
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Small ledge
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Near first overlook
The next spur (right) goes to what once was Arrowhead Arch.  It collapsed in 2010.  Intact photo from Expedition Portal.
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Arrowhead Arch intact
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Arrowhead non-arch today
Continue beyond Arrowhead Arch and keep watch back over your right shoulder to see Squaw Arch.  Searching the internet only found one place that named this arch, and it was named Squaw Arch.  This may be correct as the USGS topo map shows Squaw Park nearby.

​Farther on you will drop down Yellow Jacket Ledge.
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Squaw Arch
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Yellow Jacket Ledge
The overlook on the rim above Professor Valley is a highlight of the trip.  There was smoky haze the day we visited, but the views were still great.
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Looking east
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Looking west
Heading north from the overlook will take you to La Boca Arch.  La Boca translates as "mouth".  Gain perspective by seeing Jayne inside the arch.

If you want to continue on a 2.5 rated trail you will turn right out of the arch and backtrack about a half mile, then turn left.  If you want to do the first 3.5 obstacle, turn left out of the arch to La Boca Ledge.  The two options rejoin.
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La Boca Arch
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La Boca Ledge
The next attractions are a series of caves and Caves Spring.  This spring is at the back of one of the caves, and has been fenced off for protection.
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Caves Spring
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Some of the caves
It is smooth sailing from here on out if you stick to the 2.5 rated trail.  The only thing of note is a pair of old miner's cabins.
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Heading out
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Miner's cabin
If you want another 3.5 challenge take a left and go down Owl Draw.  The first obstacle is a ledge with a hole that can be bypassed.
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Avoiding the hole
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Beyond the hole
This hole can also be straddled.

It does not matter if you bypass or straddle the hole, there is a second ledge you must drop down.   There is a third ledge but it is much easier.
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Straddling the hole
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Drop down second ledge
Owl Draw comes back to the main trail shortly after the ledges.

Updated 2017.
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