Delicate Arch Arches National Park

Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

On our last morning in Arches National Park we hiked to Delicate Arch. This is probably the most famous of the arches in the park. It is the symbol on the Utah license plates.

Trail to Delicate Arch
Trail to Delicate Arch
Yellow flowers

The trail to Delicate Arch about 1.5 miles one way. The trail is somewhat rugged and is open (no shade). Parts of the trail over up slick rock and are steep. The trail across the slick rock is marked by cairns. Because there is no shade you should take plenty of water on this hike.

The first part of the hike takes you through brush. When we there there some of the brush was in bloom with yellow flowers.

When you get near the top of the climb, you have a good view of the Salt valley. The trail goes along cliff face and it's along way down to the bottom.

Sandstone Arches National park
View from Delicate Arch
Arches National Park
Arches National Park
Arches National Park
Arches National Park

You can't see Delicate Arch until you're at the top of the climb. Then all of the sudden there it is. The La Sal Mountains are in the background. The crowds can be heavy and everyone seems to want their picture taken under the arch. But, everyone takes their turn and there are short periods when no on is under the arch. I wonder if things are this smooth during the peak season.


Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch

Wolfe Ranch

On the way back to the parking lot we stopped to look at the cabin and other remains of the Wolfe Ranch. The Wolfe Ranch was settled by a civil war vet in 1888. The ranch was located here because Salt Wash provided water.





Although there was still a lot to see in Arches National Park, we had run out of time. We wanted to see some of the Island in the Sky region of Canyonlands National Park and we had to say goodbye to our son and his wife. So we headed back to Moab, Utah for lunch and then drove to Island in the Sky.

Black and White photo of old cabin at Wolfe Ranch
Wolfe Ranch
Black and White Photo of corral with cabin in background
Wolfe Ranch
Swamp formed by Salt Wash
Salt Wash
Black and white of Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch