Delicate Arch...Arches NP

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 29, 2016

The trail to Delicate Arch is a 3 mile (round trip) in and out hike.  What it lacks in length, it makes up for in aerobic workout.  The hike in climbs a steep slick rock section that gets the heart pumping.  Joe and I have enjoyed seeing Delicate Arch at least once during all our previous visits to Moab.   

Being Memorial Day Weekend, we were up and out the door at 7:00 and happy to find NO line at the entrance and a parking spot at the trailhead.  That is not to say that no one else had the same idea...we were among many other hikers moving at their own pace to this iconic and most recognizable arch in Utah.  


A bit of history along the way describes the John Wesley Wolfe ranch which was built in 1888 and abandoned in 1910. 






The small creek we crossed had definitely gone over it's bank during heavy spring rains. 



Just past the bridge is a short loop to an excellent Ute petroglyph panel.
The horses and riders surrounded by the bighorn sheep with the dog figures were carved as early as 1650. Utah is named for the Ute Indians who moved into the area around 1300.  





Then the fun begins...the first part of the trail is wide with ups, downs, and arounds that lead to a steep slick rock hill.






Four years ago, when Joe and I first did this hike we named a rock Potty Rock and every year since, we have seen it.

The climb up the slick rock offers pretty vistas to keep me busy with my camera  (umm, that's my excuse for frequent stops and I am sticking to it) ! 

Once at the top, the trail levels out as it winds in between sandstone rocks...











...until you get to a small ledge that climbs up to Delicate Arch.






On the right there is a small arch called Frame Arch.  It has that name because you can look through it to take a picture of Delicate Arch.  Its a steep, short climb I have never attempted before so thought I would give it a try this year.  

 This 65 foot tall natural wonder was once called "the Schoolmarm's Bloomers" by local cowboys.  It was given its current name in by Frank Beckwith, leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, who explored the area in the winter of 1933-34.  

On the hike back down the ledge if you look to the right,  there is another arch (unnamed). 

















What another great day !  Since the end of May, the temps have soared to the low 100s...not sure how much more hiking we will get in this month.  We have had several great trail rides and seen some awesome petroglyphs...more on that later. 

 Looking down on the last section of trail back to the parking lot.  Wahoo !

 Until next time, happy days and...

HAPPY TRAILS !

P.S. The three gossips were standing tall and ready for the day as we entered Arches NP.

 

West Rim-East Rim Loop...Dead Horse Point SP

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 24, 2016

Almost three years ago Joe and I hiked the Great Pyramid Loop (part of the 16.7 mile Intrepid Bike Trail) in Dead Horse Point State Park.  I am not sure why we let so many years go by without visiting this beautiful state park again.  

This past week, we took care of that and ventured out to do the West Rim-East Rim Loop.  

This loop begins and ends at the Visitor Center.  It can be anywhere from 4 to 8 miles depending on how many spur trails you want to do. 


At the start of West Rim we were engulfed in greens, creamy yellows, piñon pines and junipers, and the most glorious fragrance from the Cliff Roses.

 We had read in a brochure that the park only receives about 10 inches of precipitation a year and how vegetation has adapted to live.  Plants have reduced the size of their leaves because smaller leaves loose less water through evaporation.  I had not paid attention to how tiny the leaves are on the Cliff Rose are until the other day.  


Some of these plants have already seeded.  A mature seed has a long-tailed hair that attaches to it.  These hairs act like a "tiny parachute" and aid the wind in dispersing the seeds.  The fascinating part to this is that the hairs help "drill" the seeds into the ground.  Once the seeds land in the soil, the wind blows the curved hair rotating it to push the seed into the soil...amazing!
















The birds were busy all around us and their chatter filled the quiet morning air.  Finding them was quite a challenge.  We were on trail by 8:15.  Of the two trials, West Rim is less used. It was just us and the birds.

 

According to DHPSP information, West Rim is the longest and most primitive hiking trail in the park.  Cairns mark the route over the sandstone and slick rock.

We eventually followed the cliffs that form the western boundary of the park.

 Dead Horse Point is the "main attraction" at this park.  The West Rim and East Rim join at the point with a paved walk and rock wall around the overlook.  There is a parking lot at the point.  A covered pavilion to enjoy the view,  covered picnic tables scattered among the trees, along with a vault toilet are provided.




It's easy to visualize the layers described in the sign in the picture below.  But not easy to comprehend 300 million years ago.

The last scene in the movie Thelma and Louise was filmed here. 

From the point, looking right...

...looking straight ahead and...

 ...and looking right.

A look back at the point as we continued on East Rim.

East Rim looked different from the West.  It was much more open with lots of blooming cacti and our view was focused on the snow-caped LaSals. 

Joe and I enjoyed this easy to moderate hike...a very pleasant morning.  Afterwards, we decided to take Long Canyon (top to bottom) 4-wheel drive trail back to Potash Road (Hwy 289).  Pucker Pass is always a thrill...

...passing under the huge boulder is fun...

 ...and it's just so dang beautiful!

 At the end of the trail just before we turned onto Potash Road, we saw Jug Handle Arch.

 Until next time, happy days and...

HAPPY TRAILS!