Top of The World arch, long loop

This hike is the long way to Top of the World arch.  It is about 7 miles, with 1600 feet of gain, all off trail with minor scrambling. It starts at White Dome parking lot, down to the movie set, and right through the tall slot. After the tall slot it bears left through the gap leading to the Prospect trail.

On this day, because the tall slot was flooded we went counter clockwise from the parking lot to the exit of the tall slot and turned right toward the prospect trail.

 There is a small slot on the way to the prospect trail that was flooded too.

 The path does not continue very far toward the prospect trail but instead stays close the rocks till it comes to a straight pathway between the rocks in a south south east direction dumping you into the middle of the rocks just below the eye of the iguana.

 From there the path keeps straight south toward a tight place called the Squeeze and up a hill to a great view area. This is the part of the trail descending on from the view area.

 After descending from the view area the trail turns right into a wash that leads to the main wash we usually follow from parking lot #1 to the steep slab path to the arch. This photo is after the steep part and just before you top out and turn right at the jumble of rocks on the horizon.

After the right turn you are in a red sand desert going up hill. Shortly you come to the ramp on the left leading up and over and down and up to the last pitch to the arch.

 Hikers going up the last pitch. The arch is right at the top of it.

The arch at the op of the world.

 View west from the top with Mt Charleston in the distance.

 View of the expansive sandstone on the top.

 View north west.

 Coming down the ramp we went up from the sand desert we cross directly to the canyon route down.

 Starting down the canyon route.

 Part way down.

 After getting all the way down we turn left and follow a beautiful wash to the highway, cross the highway, and head cross country to the wave.

 Heading toward the Wave.

 Interesting rock on the way to the wave.

 View of the rock of Gibraltar from the wave.

 Going west from the wave, up a ridge line toward the road again. Some nice purple and red rocks.

 Looking back east toward red and pink rock.

After crossing the road again follow the wash to the movie set, and turn right back to the parking lot. Or, between the first and second slot, which was flooded today, go right up to the Crazy Hill, and Hidden arch to the pass that also goes to the parking lot.