Finally Hiked to Delicate Arch

Goal achieved!

I have been to Arches National Park many times, but I have never hiked up to the iconic Delicate Arch. 

So, I did it. 

And, it was fabulous.

Before, we didn't do this hike because it was too hot or we didn't have time and/or we thought it was too difficult. I have hiked the Viewpoint hike twice (once it was brutal because of the heat; once it was pretty easy).

Well, this hike was great. Moderate, not really hard (I think Viewpoint is steeper). But, I don't think it would be much fun if the temperature was over 70°F. It was 70°F today and pretty hot on the slickrock. 

The trail

The hike is 1.5 miles up with a 450 foot elevation gain. It starts on a path that goes past the old Wolfe Ranch and a trail to some petroglyphs.

 

Arches petroglyphs depicting sheep and hunters (and a dog, perhaps)

Then, it winds – steeply – up a wide expanse of slick rock and then traverses a ledge (blissfully shaded in the afternoon). 

Much appreciated shade

Around a corner and voila! There is Delicate Arch!

Delicate Arch

You have to scramble over a ledge into a bowl that holds the Arch. It's a bit tricky to walk on the slanted surface and a little scary at the Arch because of a drop-off behind it. 

Looking back up from the arch

But wow! I even stood under it!

Special views

And, the distant mountains were covered with snow.

An incredible vista

Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall freestanding natural arch in Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah. The arch is the most widely recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on Utah license plates and a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of admission to the Union in 1996. 

Yeah, that's where you've seen it

The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch.

Delicate Arch played no part in the original designation of the area as a National Monument in 1929, and was not even included within the original boundarie. It was added when the monument was enlarged in 1938.

Hard to believe this wasn't in the original Park

In the 1950s, the National Park Service investigated the possibility of applying a clear plastic coating to the arch to protect it from further erosion and eventual destruction. The idea was ultimately abandoned as impractical and contrary to NPS principles.

It will just stay delicate

Delicate Arch is formed of Entrada Sandstone. The original sandstone fin was gradually worn away by weathering and erosion, leaving the arch. 

Here's the education point: these are arches, formed by wind erosion. Not natural bridges, which are formed by water.

The forces of erosion

Other arches in the park were formed the same way but, due to placement and less dramatic shape, are not as famous.

Left, an arch in the making; right, interesting patterns

After the hike, I walked out to Skyline Arch ...

Skyline Arch

... and had a picnic near Balanced Rock ... 

A great dining room

Then, I drove around until the sun set. 

Great time of day to be there

This is a spectacular Park.

So beautiful

Oh, the reason I am at Arches is, simply, because I can! I went to Caty's for a walk-through of her new house and decided, instead of going home, to drive the six hours to Arches. That seems short to me! 

Shadow of Delicate Arch

Tomorrow, I am driving another five to the Grand Canyon. A day there and then home. How cool is that? 

So worth it

After hiking to Delicate Arch, I still wanted some more drama. So, I decided to do it again in the early morning. I didn't quite make sunrise – that would have meant no just driving in the dark (which I did), but also hiking in the dark (which I didn't).  

Sun rising

I did embark before the sun was officially up, but made it to the top after sunrise. 

Different light provides different perspectives

I am glad I did it. 

A dream realized – twice

Hardly anyone was there. The views were lovely. And, I was less skittish about walking on the slanted rock than the day before. So, I got some photos (thanks, random hikers) under the arch (it's big; ya gotta look close).

Ta Da!!!

Trip date: October 25-29, 2013