⛰️ Wildflowers, Marmots & Mud: A Guide to Cedar Breaks & The Hidden Bartizan Arch

The incredible morning light over the Cedar Breaks amphitheater.

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a place of high-altitude drama and breathtaking beauty. Sitting at over 10,000 feet, it's a world of its own, often buried in snow long after the valleys below are basking in spring warmth. I’ve been drawn back here multiple times, sometimes thwarted by snow or construction, but one recent trip was pure magic. After a wild lightning storm, I hiked out in the fresh morning air during the peak of the annual wildflower festival. It was an adventure of hilarious challenges (hello, clay-caked shoe stilts!), profound moments of peace with a wise old marmot, and the thrill of hiking past the "End of Trail" sign to discover the hidden, magnificent Bartizan Arch.

🗺️ Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Location: Cedar Breaks National Monument, near Brian Head, Utah
🥾 Hike: Ramparts Trail to Bartizan Arch
📏 Distance: Approx. 5-6 miles round trip from the Point Supreme trailhead.
📈 Elevation: Over 10,000 feet, with rolling hills along the rim.
⏱️ Time to Complete: 3-4 hours
⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)

🌟 The Golden Nugget

Don't Miss This: The magic moment of my trip happened at the Ramparts Overlook. As I sat watching the sunrise, a huge, wise-looking marmot climbed up and sat with me for over ten minutes, also seeming to enjoy the view. It was an incredible, peaceful connection with nature. My advice? Go early. The morning light is spectacular, the crowds are non-existent, and you never know what wild companions you might meet. Don't be afraid to sit quietly and just soak it all in.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO CEDAR BREAKS

This VR Getaway captures the drama and beauty of this high-altitude wonderland, from a stormy sunrise to the discovery of the hidden Bartizan Arch. It's a journey sure to give your day a positive boost!

🥾 The Journey: Beyond the End of the Trail

The Trail of the Clay Stilts

After a huge lightning storm the night before, the morning air was crisp and the wildflowers were in full bloom. I started my hike with a huge smile, but quickly ran into a hilarious problem. The trail was soaked, and the local clay soil began caking onto the soles of my shoes with every step. Soon, I was wobbling on ever-growing platforms of thick mud, like walking on stilts! I learned very quickly to stick to the rocks and was incredibly grateful for my hiking poles, which saved me from toppling over more than once.

A Sunrise Companion at Ramparts

My favorite overlook of the day was the Ramparts Overlook, officially marked as the "End of Trail." As I sat there watching the morning light paint the amphitheater, my marmot friend joined me for that unforgettable ten-minute shared sunrise. It was a moment of pure magic. Funnily enough, right next to the "End of Trail" sign, a clear path continues onward. This is the unofficial trail to the day's ultimate destination.
The stunning colors of a Cedar Breaks sunrise.

The Hidden Arch: Bartizan Arch

Following that unofficial trail for another 1.5 miles leads you to the spectacular and seldom-seen Bartizan Arch. It's a tricky arch to photograph, as its shape changes dramatically with your viewing angle. From most perspectives, it looks like a double arch, but from just the right spot, you can see it's actually a triple! It's a fun and unique formation, and well worth the extra effort to find.

💡 Pro-Tips & Trail Guide

♦️ Check Conditions & Season: At over 10,000 feet, Cedar Breaks has a short season. The road (Hwy 148) is typically closed from late October to late May due to snow. Even in early summer, there can be huge walls of snow. The Wildflower Festival in mid-July is a spectacular time to visit.
♦️ Beware the Mud: If it has rained recently, be prepared for the trail to be extremely muddy and slick. The clay soil is no joke! Hiking poles are highly recommended.
♦️ Finding Bartizan Arch: Hike the main paved path to Spectra Point and then continue on the dirt path to Ramparts Overlook. Past the "End of Trail" sign, a social trail continues along the rim. Follow the path and cairns carefully to find the arch.
♦️ High Altitude: This entire hike is at a very high elevation. Take it slow, drink plenty of water, and be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer, so start early.

My second treat I had on this trail was at Ramparts Overlook. As I approached the Ramparts overlook, there was a Huge Wise Old Marmot watching the sunrise. He and I sat there together for over 10 minutes just watching the sun rise. I have to admit, that I was a little surprise to see an animal like that enjoying the beauties of the earth just like me. I kind of felt of little bit of a connection with that Big Marmot, and I am secretly really hoping I can join him again for a sunrise in the future. :)

Sunrise at Cedar Breaks

Bartizan Arch

If you keep going past Spectra and Ramparts Overlook past the end of trail sign, there is a nice trail that goes about 1.5 miles further to Bartizan Arch. To me it appears from most angles to be a double arch, but it you see if from a different angle, it is a triple arch. Definitely well worth it to keep going on the trail to enjoy this fun arch. The trail is pretty easy to follow, so if you feel like you are making your own trail, then go back a little ways, watch for the Cairns, and get yourself back on the correct trail. It's there.

Bartizan Arch Cedar Breaks

360 Video of Bartizan Arch

This is a 360 video, which means you need to take control and move it around to see everything. The best way to view is on a VR Heasdset. You can view on a VR Headset using the toggle mode on the bottom right, or you can view it on YourTubeVR, or Oculus TV.

Selfie at Bartizan Arch

2D Version of Video above if you want help to find the Cool Stuff

Information About Bartizan Arch Trail

Trail is 5-6 miles long.
It is Moderate difficulty and is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.
Flowers are best here around mid July.
Gain is about 1200 ft.
I have read that following the AllTrails trail is incorrect, so just watch for the trail and Cairns.
To get to Bartizan Arch, just take the trail to Spectra and Rampart Overlook. When you get to Ramparts, there is a sign that says End of trail, but there is a trail just to the side of it. Funny enough, that is the trail to start to get to Bartizan Arch.

Wildflowers at Cedar Breaks

Cedar Breaks is known for its Wildflower Festival. When you find those special gorgeous spots for wildflowers with Cedar Break in the background it is something truly special, but I have found that is varies dramatically from year to year. Two years ago, I was sold on Alpine Pond trail, for I found the most flowers and best shots there. This year, I was disappointed with Alpine Pond Trail, but found some amazing shots on this trail to Bartizan Arch. I even found out that if you come earlier in the spring you might not get as many wildflowers, but you get a waterfall along the trail. I had so many wonderful wildflower pictures, but here are my favorites.

White Columbine Cluster at Cedar Breaks Flower Festival

Purple Flowers with beautiful Columns in background at Cedar Breaks

A purple bell shaped flower at Cedar Breaks

White Flower Cluster with Cedar Breaks behind.

Sunrise at Cedar Breaks Ramparts Spectra Trail

Sunset at Cedar Breaks

Video at Sunset

360 Trail at Spectra Point Overlook

I made this GoogleEarth Trail on my previous trip. It was a funny trip, for it had rained lit crazy the previous night, and so the trail was muddy. Normally mud doesn't bother me, but here it is a nightmare. It cakes on your shoes in layers until you are rocking on 4 inch platforms of mud on the bottom of your shoes. This place is so beautiful, but the compression on it can be cruel if you are on a mobile device. I would suggest viewing the below Street View Trail on a computer to see the details. If you want to view in a VR Headset, click on the View on the GoogleEarth app.

Sunrise Lighting up Sections of Cedar Breaks

This is the beginning of the hike. On Spectra Point hike in Cedar breaks, you hike along the edge of the big bowl, and look down into all the amazing formations inside the bowl. If you want to view in VR, just click on the View on Google Maps.

Beautiful White Orange Contrast at Cedar Breaks National Park

Rain starting to fall while Sunrise is still fighting to light up Cedar Breaks.

360 Trail at Spectra Overlook

I love the Green Orange Contrast here at Cedar Breaks. It is gorgeous!

If you liked this area and would like to see more, click on the GoogleEarth Link
Spectra Point Overlook- GoogleEarth

then click on the little dude, and then click on any blue dot where you want to see more.

Here is a 360 I took at Cedar Breaks early this year with the snow. There is something magical about this place when you have the contrast of the snow and the deep red rocks.

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⭐ Final Thoughts

Cedar Breaks is a testament to the wild and unpredictable beauty of Utah's high country. My adventure to Bartizan Arch was a perfect blend of everything I love about exploring: a little challenge, a lot of beauty, and an unexpected, magical connection with the natural world. Whether you're there for the grand views, the delicate wildflowers, or a quiet sunrise with a furry friend, it’s a place that will leave a lasting impression.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,

Shauna from VRGetaway

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⛰️ Wildflowers, Marmots & Mud: A Guide to Cedar Breaks & The Hidden Bartizan Arch