Our trip this summer was out to Utah for a bunch of hiking.
Lethy and I went out a couple of days early and got the place ready as well as did some walking and relaxing to pre-celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary.
Once Mom, Dad, and Jane arrived, we did a little hiking in PC and had a very nice dinner at The Mustang.
Then we headed down to Arches National Park for 3 days of serious hiking.
Arches Day One:
Balanced Rock
Windows/Double Arch
Park Avenue – a nice walk up a dry (at that time!) wash – imposing walls of stone on either side that pictures don’t really do justice.
Dinner at Eddie McStiffs
Day Two:
A very long, grueling, and at times difficult hike through The Devil’s Garden to Double O, Private Arch, and several other unnamed arches.
On our attempt at a return loop, there was one spot with a small ledge barely a foot wide one had to navigate… Mom, Dad, and Lethy went back the way we came. Jane and I soldiered on along with a family from NJ and half a family from Manhattan which also split up.
Tunnel Arch:
Pine Tree Arch:
Landscape Arch:
From that point on is where the trail got steeper, narrower, and we walked on top of the fins of rock:
With sprinkles on and off we arrived at the Double-O arch:
From there we went to Dark Angel, which was really just a large tower of rock. Big, but not angel-like. We returned to Double-O and began the really scenic “Primitive Loop” and took the side trail to Primitive Arch.
Then the difficult sections started… slick rocks…
And here you can see the ledge where only Jane and I continued… but neither of us had a camera…
Further on, we had to scale a big rock to avoid going into unknown, but at least waist, deep dirty water. It wasn’t easy.
We reached the Landscape Arch, but learned from other hikers Mom, Dad and Lethy were still behind on the return “easy” route.
We waited and waited at the big descent, finally Jane headed to the car to get water and I ascended again. A few climbs later I found them, they had gotten a bit lost and were lucky to not pass each other without knowing.
All rather weary and tired, we trudged downwards. Jane got back to us with half a mile to go bearing much hydration which we really appreciated. As we reached the car, the storm clouds again thickened. Shortly into our drive back to Moab, it began to really pour.
Quickly one could see the danger of flash floods. Pictures didn’t come out, but it was a sight to see.
Dinner at “Desert Bistro” – REALLY fantastic food. Seriously, it was great.
Arches Day Three: Sunrise at Delicate Arch Sand Dune and Broken Arch
For our 3rd and final day in Arches, being the amazing troopers we are, we got up at 4 am and quickly hit the road.
Upon arriving at the turnoff for Delicate Arch we found it to be closed due to the flooding. Quickly we changed course and went for Sand Dune and Broken Arch. Sand Dune was pretty simple.
Sand Dune Arch wasn’t much, especially in the dark. But Broken Arch was pretty cool… we got there just before sunrise:
Mad ups…
From there we swung past the Fiery Furnace overlook, which was really not so impressive.
Then we headed back to the Gonzo Inn (neat place!), packed up and headed for Dead Horse Point.
The stunning views make you feel small… and show you what time and water can do:
From there we drove back to PC.
We took the next day to get some sleep and rest before a little more hiking in PC – Iron Mountain Trail. We had snowshoed it in the winter a few years ago, this time we went on foot. It was a nice steep hike but not technical. We hope to do the full loop from our house soon!
Then finally, we flew home.
All photos here.
