Arches National Park...Part Two

 

(Click Here for part one) People come from all over the world to see the Arches in Arches NP.  If you want to see a good bunch of Arches, all within fairly easy walking distance, then go to the Windows area of the park.  There are five named arches: North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and the two arches that make up Double Arch all in this concentrated area.  I have, in my lifetime, walked to at least four of them (where I actually stood under the arch), but when it is closing in on a hundred degrees, and as I close in on 70 years old, I saw no need to visit them that close again.

Tell me that this guy, standing guard along the road to the Windows area, doesn't look like it came out of a Sci-Fi movie...

 

Next is the most famous arch, Delicate Arch.  You can see it on many of the Utah license plates.  I walked the football field length to the lower observation area to get this shot.  There is an upper observation area, which is about 4 more football field lengths, and 100 feet in elevation...have been there before, and frankly, the view from the lower area is just about as good, perhaps better, due to the angle.

There is a way to walk all the way up to Delicate Arch.  It is a three mile round trip, considered moderate to strenuous, with about 500 feet in elevation.  This white line shows only a portion of the trail, and if you look close, you can see people on the trail...and yes, I have made this hike twice in my lifetime, and the third time I made it about 2/3rds of the way...but the heat (95+) and my body (can you say 'fat') would not make it the rest of the way.  Stephanie and Ryan (my youngest two) made it there along with their mother.  The first time was when I was in college...Michael (oldest) and Stephanie were toddlers...Ryan was not around yet.  It was probably late February or early March, there were only a handful along the trail.  When I got there, it was one of those moments when you say, "How did something this large end up way up here..."

There are over 2,000 documented arches in Arches NP, most of them so small you have a hard time calling them all an "Arch".  Above is Skyline Arch, on the northern side of the park near what they call the Devil's Garden area, pictured below.

        

Marcia has visited Arches about five times now...only getting out on her second visit to ride her GoGo along a couple of trails.  She LOVES the park because you can see so much right from the front seat of the vehicle...in this case, our Camper Van.  So "IF" you are less mobile, this is the park for you to visit.  And although the temps were in the 90's, high 90's around 4 pm, you can still enjoy the park from the comfort of your vehicle.  Be sure to bring lots of liquids (not speaking about alcohol which is not good for you in the heat), and bring some food since there are no concessions except, perhaps, at the visitor center at the entrance to the park.  However, Moab, which use to be this little town, is now a thriving city with lots of eateries, stores, and lots of fun things like a Zip Line, kayaks rentals, lots of guides who will show you around the National Parks by helicopter, horse or mules, and especially by 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Next up on the Blog, Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway U-128

 

Arches National Park...Part One

 

As you enter the park and start the assent up the winding road, the wall that runs along the drivers side is majestic.  Few, if any, National Park has such a bold opening statement as this drive does.  It truly sets the tone for your visit.  

   

I think some of these pillars of stone look like old fashion chess pieces, gathered together.  Well, enough of my talking...I am going to let the pictures talk...

 

There are many areas in South Utah that have these fine wavy layers of sedimentary rock.

 

      

Lots and lots of rock formations.  Some look like pillars, some seem to have faces, all are unique.

    

 

   

  

 

This is Balancing Rock, which is at the entrance to "The Windows", a large collection of Arches, many of which are very large.

 

 

 

Before the "Windows Area", you pass by the Garden of Eden.  And what do you see on those rocks???

 

Yep, a host of Rock Climbers.  We have seen Rock Climbers in Arches before, but not in this area.  They always draw a crowd, many of whom start climbing smaller rocks...must have been a good twenty that joined in on the climbing in the 15 minutes we were there.

 

Tomorrow I will post the rest of our visit to Arches...along with a scenic drive that starts right there in Moab.