Green River, Utah, and Grand Junction, Colorado: Camelhead Arch, Mystery Arch, and the Lemon Squeezer (May 1–2, 2026)

Camelhead Arch.

Katie Larson and I tried to complete a project from six months ago: the route to Camelhead Arch. It worked out well. We drove to near the trailhead of Uneva Canyon. We climbed the class 2 slope to the saddle and headed straight down, slightly on the left where the start is easier. There was one short class 3+ or 4– section, but no problem getting efficiently to the bottom. At the bottom we looked up and spotted a person at the top! That was a surprise.

He caught up to us and we asked him to join us. He agreed. It was Adam Elliott, of Ivins, Utah, the new editor of SPAN, the journal of the Natural Arch and Bridge Society. And he is a professional photographer. Amazing coincidence, as I am a long-time member of NABS.

We found the beautiful basin that is below Camelhead Arch and then backtracked a little to escape the basin and get to a good route to the arch. Beautiful, and as many have said, photographs do not do justice to the size and beauty of this arch. Then to Mystery Arch where Katie climbed high behind it.

We then decided to exit via the pothole that stopped our ascent in October 2025. The water was 3.5 feet deep, and presented no problem. We then used a rope on the first of two easy class 5 pitches. We did the second with no rope. And the walk back to the car was simple and short. Great day on great terrain.

We then drove to Grand Junction and did the Lemon Squeezer and the Bonus Slot. At the end of the Squeezer four young men (from Germany and Iceland) caught up to us. A plaque has been placed in memory of Sabrina Atwood of Fruita, who fell to her death on the exposed exit move in 2024. We carried packs through the slot and used slings to haul them, as one cannot wear packs at several of the places. And I also was belayed at two of the harder moves. The crux seemed less hard than before. But the move before the crux was hard for me.

The bonus slot was fun, but just at the end, as I was exiting, a foothold gave way as I was almost out, pondering the reach over the top. My remaining three points of support were adequate, but it was a scary moment.

This video shows all the moves well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAIEa-rluCo .

Mystery Arch seen from the route to Camelhead Arch.
A beautiful basin below Camelhead Arch.
Camelhead Arch.
Katie climbing behind Mystery Arch. Photo by Adam Elliott
Katie climbing the slab behind Mystery Arch.
Mystery Arch. Photo by Katie Larson.
Katie climbing behind Mystery Arch. Photo by Adam Elliott
Mystery Arch from rear. Photo by Adam Elliott
The pool in Mystery Canyon can be much deeper than this. It was an easy wade on this day.
Stan descending the steep section of Mystery Canyon. Photo by Adam Elliott.
An exposed down climb to finish Mystery Canyon. The slabs at upper right are another steep pitch.
Adam Elliott is comfortable on the steep move.
The route in Mystery Canyon starts by going to the tree in center; then up to surmount this entire steep area. On this trip we only descended this route. Photo by Adam Elliott.
The start of the Lemon Squeezer.
A break at the wonderful window about halfway through.
The potentially dangerous final descending move to finish the Lemon Squeezer: straight down the small gap.
Stan climbing a gully that leads from the Lemon Squeezer exit to the bonus slot about 200 feet higher.
Katie in the narrow bonus slot.
Katie in the bonus slot.
Stan at the final move exiting the bonus slot.