Monday, May 23, 2016

Devil's Garden...Arches National Park

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 18, 2016

The name Devil's Garden doesn't exactly conjure  up images of beauty and fun...but beauty and fun is exactly what we found.  In May 2013 Joe and I took the "primitive" route counter clockwise.  A huge mistake for newbies to hiking.  There was one really scary spot where I froze and if it had not been for the help of a couple from Idaho I would probably still be there.  Anyhow, we haven't been back to Devil's Garden until now.  As you might have guessed, we did not take the primitive loop.  Instead, we chose the in and out to Dark Angel.  Much more to our liking...a round trip of about 7 miles with several spur trails to arches.      
We were up and out the door by 8:30 to beat the crowds.  But when we arrived, the parking lot was nearly full.  Thank goodness, most people take the .9 mile walk to Landscape Arch and turn around. 


A very well maintained section of trail takes you to Landscape Arch.

  This is an amazing arch.  Landscape Arch is an arc natural arch.  These  are considered old and near the end of their lifecycle...any day, any year, any century this arch could collapse.  In its thinnest section, the arch is only 6 feet deep yet it supports a span of rock 290 feet long. 




















As we were standing there admiring this stunning piece of nature's art, something caught our eye. 



I see you!


This little guy was enjoying breakfast...


























From here the real hiking begins.  Immediately there is a steep climb up a narrow fin and the Double O Arch hike begins.  This was the first of many tall, narrow fins we climbed.  So much fun and the most awesome views.  All the time knowing we would be enjoying them on the way out too!

















 The trail isn't all slick rock and fins.  There is lots of desert to traverse as well.  This time of year and with all the rain we have had, it was lined with lots and lots of yellow and green...

























and a few other colors too.




 A short side spur took us to Black Arch.  









From the Double O Arch trailhead, it's about 2 miles to the arches.  


 And from there it's a half mile to Dark Angel.  This was our goal for the day.  We never made it here the first time.  Dark Angel is a 150 foot sand stone tower.  It sits atop a short hill above Devil's Garden  standing as sentinel over the arches and fins



This is one of the prettiest lunch spots we have ever had.  

Wonderful views of Salt Valley...
Klondike Bluffs...
 and we could even see the Monitor and the Merrimack on Hwy 313.  





Such a glorious day filled with so much beauty it was hard to absorb it all. 


 




































Everyday needs a little yellow...










Until next time, happy days and...

















HAPPY TRAILS!

18 comments:

  1. Great to see the flowers and cactus blooms are hanging in there for you to share with the rest of us. Beautiful hike! Looks like the hiking boots got a nice workout today and Pearl gets a bit of a rest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes...Pearl had a good washing and a nice day off Jeff.

      Delete
  2. This is such a fun hike. I just love all the different arches and the fun fins around them. Good to see you enjoying all those gorgeous flowers! Wow! Lots of color along the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think it has ever been this pretty Pam. We won't wait 3 years to do this one again!

      Delete
  3. Looks like you had a fabulous day for this hike...and the flowers! What a terrific time of year to visit Arches!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the rain this year sure has helped to make things colorful around here Lisa. Everywhere we go we see so many flowers!

      Delete
  4. What gorgeous photos for sure! I bet you enjoyed being there in all that beauty! It's been a mighty long time since we've been there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jeri. This spring has been especially colorful.

      Delete
  5. That is quite the fancy trail in the beginning! But you left me behind when you traversed the fin....I would be sucked off the top for sure :-) Love the path lined with green and yellow and the distant vistas. Beautiful arches on top of all that - it had to be overwhelming to take it all in!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so funny Jodee. This is the "most difficult" trail in Arches according to the brochure. There are lots of easy, short trails with magnificent arches as well.

      Delete
  6. Awesome pics looks like an amazing hike.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was an awesome way to spend a few hours George!

      Delete
  7. We too enjoyed this hike and would not mind doing it again. I would be like you taking pictures of all those colorful flowers that grabs your attention.
    I so envy you for seeing that Gold collared lizard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have actually seen several this year MonaLiza. Aren't they so pretty?
      I don't think we will wait 3 years to do this hike again. I bet you and Steve did the primitive loop! Who knows, we might try that loop again one day and find it is not so scary especially if we got clockwise.

      Delete