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!

Caves Spring, La Boca Arch and Dinosaur Tracks

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 15, 2016

Dome Plateau is one of my favorite trail rides and I was so excited when it was added to the Moab Friends For Wheeling calendar.  Last Sunday we had a large group of about 15 vehicles as we headed out Hwy 128.  The 30 mile scenic drive east on Hwy 128 set the tone for an absolutely wonderful day.  After airing down at the recreation area, we crossed the highway and were on our way.  


John (and Nancy) did a great job traversing the trail with all its intersections and old mining roads. 

 Joe and I followed Jeff, in his well built Samurai buggy, who followed Ber, in his 30 year old Jeep CJ.  What a treat to watch the two of them traverse the steep and rocky ledges. 



We headed straight...well not to straight as the road twists and curves in all directions...to Again and Again Hill.  (We missed this last time Dave and Lynn so I think this fall when you are here we have to make a return trip to Dome Plateau.)
Again and Again Hill seems to be in the middle of nowhere.  I couldn't return there if I had too (Maybe Dee will lead. She likes this trail too !).  There is a go around for this very ledgy, fun hill.  Rear lockers were needed to step up some of the boulders.  I am pretty sure it is called Again and Again because there were several spots when we thought we were done only to turn the corner and climb some more.  

Of all the jeeps in line ahead of us, Dee, driving Thumper, was the first one I saw ready to make the climb.

Just ahead of us were Ber (who is 92 or 93 and has been leading trails since the 80s)  and Jeff.  All three skillful drivers made it look easy (although I found out later that Dee and Thumper had quite a conversation about lockers).  We only had one boulder we had to back off of to take another line.  Once we found the correct line Pearl climbed like a champ !  It is like Jim, a dear friend of ours back in Georgia said "It's the indian not the arrow".

At the top, we regrouped and were off to the overlook to meet three vehicles that took the go around.  Dome Plateau is a large highland area on the north side of the Colorado River.  

The Colorado River Canyon is an exceptional sight both from along side the river and from the cliffs 1700 feet above it.  I never get tired of either.

Looking down on Professor Valley to the right towards Castle Valley...

 ...and to the left towards Fisher Towers.

 We were the only group there and enjoyed a nice lunch with a view and of course some visiting and exploring.

 It was about 5.1 miles back to the intersection for La Boca Arch. When translated to English, this wide open arch is called Mouth.  FYI...about 150 million years ago desert conditions stretched over a good part of Utah, piling light dune sand atop the darker red silt and mud from a previous period.  Most of the arches in the area formed in the sandstone created from these dunes.

With more exploring left to do, we were off to the Cave Springs.  So many adjectives describe caves it is hard to pick  one or two or three...dark, cool, damp...come to mind quickly. 
The darkness swallowed everything and the cool, damp feeling in the air was a nice reprieve from the warmth of the sunshine.


Walking into the caves is hard work.  It is steep and the sand is squishy and deep.  But well worth the effort.    




 From here our adventure for the day was almost over. Just one more stop before we head out. Even though it was only a couple of miles to the dinosaur tracks, it was filled with so much beauty.

The plateau...

I think Ber called this Squaw Arch...

Portal Arch...

 A Gold Collared Lizard...

Lots of cactus...  

 and more scenic views.

Notice the white slick rock in the above picture on the left...that is where the dinosaur tracks are.  These are the best and deepest tracks we have seen.

 Such an awesome day with good friends and lots to explore.  I pinched Joe on the way home just to make sure it was real !

Until next time, happy days and...

  HAPPY TRAILS !