We rose early, dressed, and got to breakfast early. There were lots of people with the same plan and lines for food and coffee, but everyone was cheerful and friendly. With breakfast inside of us, we got in the rental mid-sized SUV and headed to Arches National Park again.
This time, a ranger checked me in after a short wait; the line was only three cars deep. I got to use my new annual pass and show it with my ID. We then stopped only a few times for photos we wanted to get in before we headed to the back of the park. We had decided on the shorter option (not 2-3 hours of uphill hiking to reach the Delicate Arch) and reached the end of the usual roads in the park. The trail we took was crushed rock, often at a 35-degree angle, for 5-minute intervals. It was tough going, but it was not yet hot, and we enjoyed the hour there and back. When we reached the lookout, the Delicate Arch was still a mile away. The view was good.
We were happy to be done and then headed to our next arches in The Devil’s Garden on the other side and furtherest into the park (for the regular roads). There, we had trouble parking and finally spotted a car pulling out. We walked into the jaws of red sandstone and were amazed at the beauty and how much space was hidden inside. And while the tunnel arches were only a tenth of a mile in, the ups and downs and uneven walking made it seem much longer. The arches did not disappoint.
The sand is from the stone and is very fine and pink to yellow in color. We enjoyed Pine Tree Arch, though it was another ten of a while that seemed longer with many ups and downs. We got to sand in the arch and there was a lovely few from the arch.
But it was already approaching noon. We stopped a few times for more pictures, and then stopped at the Visitor Center. I found some postcards (mailed already), a few books on the makeup of Arches, and a few knick-knacks. I found a map of arches socks and sent them to Deborah’s son. I had promised him some socks from Oregon, and they got lost somewhere. These seemed like a good replacement.
Next, we headed to Moab Downtown and had lunch at Dewey’s, our second visit there. After lunch and getting some coffee and tea, we visited a local bookstore (we found a few things) and then rested for the hot part of the day (remember, the rocks are red and heat up, too). I spent some time in the pool with a cement model of an arch as a waterfall, and also with fire. I met a couple from NYC there who are planning some big hikes this week and then dune-buggying around the edge of Canyonlands National Park.
We started after 4 back to the park, after spending some time resting at the hotel. We drove far into the park again and just took the two-to three-mile trail to Delicate Arch. It had a short branch that led to a petroglyph, and we wanted to see it. We were starting to feel the 5 miles of walking (mostly up and down). It was only a holy place, we felt, and it was marvelous to see them. We also saw that the trek was not crushed stone but paved. Hmmm.
We then drove toward The Devil’s Garden again, but stopped at the sand dune arch, which was an amazing experience. The arch is inside a sheer slice of red sandstone, filled with fine dust. At one point, you have to squeeze and walk up some narrow stone openings. All the time your feet are in deep sandy dust that would make any beach-going proud. It is cool in the stone, and there is a breeze. Our second favorite arch is the easiest.
Broken arch is nearby, and I walked out far enough on what seems to be a trail to get a picture by zooming. Cactus was all over with three-inch needles to ruin your day. Do not fall while walking this trail! I turned back and was happy with the picture.
We then drove out to the lookout and watched the sunset. It was a good day. We were tired. Deborah commented as we left that it was an easy and amazing park. Excellent!
Deborah did not like it when I turned around and came to the edge of the cliff on her side, and then pulled out. There are a lot of road edges, and we did see the rangers looking down at a recently wrecked car. Looked like nobody was hurt.
It was late when we got back to Moab and Dewey’s was simple. We had a nice dinner and then drove back to our IHG hotel. I wrote this blog while Deborah read.
Good noght and thanks for reading!
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