Arches National Park

Gopher Flats
May, 2019
Moab, UT

In 1929, when President Hoover signed the proclamation to establish Arches National Monument, the park only included the Windows and Devils Garden sections...4,520 acres.  

Since that time, the parks boundaries have expanded several times to a whopping 76,679 acres.  Although Arches has been under construction for millions of years Congress changed the status to a National Park in 1971.   


I will never forget our first drive through Arches back in May 2013...a jaw dropper for sure !  I still have the same excitement today. 





With Arches practically in our backyard and being here for the amount of time we are, visiting this red-rock wonderland is often on the list of things "to-do" from week to week.

Whether it's just a drive or enjoying a hike, it's a beautiful destination.  We have already spent several mornings taking in the colors, shapes, and forms that excite the "aesthetic" senses.      

With over 2,000 natural arches, soaring spires, and massive fins, Arches makes for a beautiful drive and fun hiking.  Did you know that Arches has "the world's largest concentration of natural arches in the world"? 

Double Arch is "close-set pair" of natural arches.  In fact, the arch in front has the tallest opening of any arch in the park...112 feet...and it's the second longest arch in the park. It is a short walk from the parking area to see Double Arch up close.

Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in the park (and maybe the world).  

It's a 3 mile round trip hike to see the arch...a hike Joe and I have enjoyed at least once (sometimes more) every year that we have been in Moab. Yep, we like it !  









I don't always walk down to the arch, but this day I felt very confident and brave.

The key to us enjoying our hike to Delicate Arch is getting an early start.  We are on trail by 7:00 am making this our all time favorite breakfast spot !

While Delicate Arch is the most famous arch, our favorite hiking in Arches is the Devils Garden section. 

The trail begins as an easy wide  gravel path with a side trail to Tunnel Arch and Pine Arch (which we have done several times, but not this day).  


At just under a mile, the path winds its way to Landscape Arch. Landscape Arch is the longest arch in the park...even the Western Hemisphere.  The Natural Arch and Bridge Society now considers it to be the fifth longest arch in the world having measured the span a 290.1 feet.

After admiring Landscape Arch, the fun begins !  The trail becomes difficult as it climbs steeply up and on the sandstone fins.

Shoes with good grip are a must as the footing is rocky with narrow ledges and steep drop-offs...a combination that really gets the heart pumping !  From this point to Double O Arch it is about 2.5 miles.

This time of year, the trail that winds its way to Double O Arch is very colorful.

 Double O Arch is the second largest arch in the NP.  The top arch has a span of 71 feet stacked on top of a smaller arch with a 21 foot span.  Both are part of the same sandstone fin. 

After our breakfast snack, we took two side trails as we made our way back to Landscape Arch.  First to Partition Arch.

Partition Arch is often overlooked as it is not as famous or big as other arches.   The views through this arch are spectacular and its low profile allows for an up close look.  

The second side trail we took was to Navajo Arch.  

Navajo Arch is one of our favorite little arches along the Devils Garden Trail.  It is more like a mini tunnel than an arch as the ground cuts right thru it.  


























The entrance to the arch... 













opens up to a nice little retreat with lots of shade and much cooler air. 

Both these side trails add about a mile to the overall distance.  If time or energy isn't an issue, the side trek to see both these arches is worthwhile.  

This catches us up on our adventures in Arches.  We LOVE our backyard !  So until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS!

A Hike To Delicate Arch

Gopher Flats
May 31, 2018
Moab, UT

Joe and I have hiked the trail to Delicate Arch a half dozen times or so, and every time we turn the corner and see the arch, my mouth drops.  It is spectacular !  And a must see if in Moab.  It's probably the most well known arch in Utah if not the country.  That makes it the most popular hike in Arches with hundreds of folks making the trek daily.  Timing is everything if you expect to have some solitude while you take in the 65 foot free-standing arch and the gorgeous backdrop around it.  

With crowds and warmer...some might say hotter... temps, we were up before dawn, packed and out the door.  Sunrise was quite pretty as we drove through Arches NP.

 It was 6:08 am when our feet were on trail.  The air was cool and it was so peaceful.  And the best part, the parking lot was almost empty!

The trail is a 3 mile in and out adventure with about 600 feet elevation gain as you head to the arch.  It's a gradual climb, but the giant sandstone "hill" can be a bit of a workout.  Thats why I always have camera in hand...a good excuse to stop. (Insert winking eye emoji here!)  The views are phenomenal.

Almost to the top !

 In the picture below, you can see the road that takes you to the arch from the park entrance and if you squint your eyes real tight, you might can make out the parking lot at the trailhead about an inch to the left of Joe's hat brim.  

From here, the trail is a walk in the park ! A few rocks...

 some sand so look for cairns...

 and more slick rock, but its not so steep !

The next little bit is what I would call a shelf road if we were jeeping.  Here the trail hugs a tall rock wall on one side and a view of "down below" on the other.   The trail is a lot wider than it looks in the photo with plenty of room to pass folks going in the opposite direction.








 When heading up to the arch, if you look left, there is an unnamed arch...

 and on your right is Frame Arch. 




The rock wall drops away as you reach the top and there it is...the silent "WOW!" and dropping jaw.  It is one of those speechless moments when you don't really know what to say out loud.  

The park allows you to walk up to the arch.  Joe and I have done this several times and it is awesome to look up at it from the bottom.  Today, though, it was more about the beauty and enjoying the quiet and having "breakfast".  When we arrived at the arch, I counted 7 other people...making  getting out of bed well worth the effort to get there early.  

On the way down, I did check out Frame Arch.  It is so named because you can look through it and frame Delicate Arch in your photo.  

Can you see the person standing under Delicate Arch?

 It's all down hill from here...an easy walk back to the trailhead.  


If time permits check out the wall of Ute petroglyphs dated 1650-1850 on your way out.  There are signs to point you in the right direction.  

It's a simple panel of horses, riders, bighorn sheep, and a puppy.  The rider and the pup put a smile on my face every time I see it !

Also, another point of interest is Wolfe Ranch.  The only picture I took of the one-room cabin was too blurry to post.  There is signage that details the history of John Wesley Wolfe.  

It was about 8:30 am when I snapped the picture below.  I was mighty glad we were done !  Check out the traffic, an overflowing parking lot and the "herding syndrome" of folks getting started. 

I am always happy to make memories at Delicate Arch.  And this day was no exception !  We were back home with coffee in hand surrounded by lots of puppy love at 9:30 and discussing our plans for the day !  Life is better than good, it's awesome !

So, until next time, we hope you have happy days and...

Balanced Rock in Arches NP

HAPPY TRAILS !