Delicate Arch Arches National Park
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
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.
View from Delicate Arch
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, Arches National Park
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.
Wolfe Ranch
Wolfe Ranch
Salt Wash
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch