It was the perfect day to hike to Delicate Arch. Delicate Arch is not only the most iconic feature of Arches National Park, but it is also on every license plate in Utah. The hike was 3 miles round trip with not a lot of elevation gain. It was listed as a "moderate" hike, so we paced ourselves. Most of the trail was easy to follow, but a lot of it was across "slickrock "(hard to see evidence of previous hikers.) It would be easy to get lost without the cairns to mark the trail. Of course, there were enough people on the trail so that there was rarely a time when others were not in view.
Delicate Arch Trail is a moderately strenuous hike with an elevation change of 480 feet.
The trail follows a long stretch of open slickrock, which is not slick at all unless it's wet.
From the trail, looking across the canyon, the various arches...
...and petrified sand dunes are beautiful.
In a few places, the slickrock was at such a steep angle that the carved stairs were really appreciated. There was only one stretch where the trail overlooked a drop-off, but it was pretty wide so it posed no problem for seasoned hikers.
We have been on scary trails, but this was not one of them. The ledge was pretty wide and gently sloping. Delicate Arch was just around the corner.
Despite the large crowd of people milling around and posing under the arch, it was possible to get some clean shots with enough patience.
Below the arch is a basin that attracts earth doodlers. This is considered graffiti and...
...the rangers stay busy knocking it down.
A group of hikers had a little remote-controlled helicopter with a camera attached. They flew it around and through the arch for some different perspectives. I gave the guy my e-mail address and he said he would send me a few of the pictures. If he does I will add some aerial photos in the near future.
Ranger Glenn told us that drones were not allowed in the park, but this group didn't get the memo.
David gave me a very dignified pose, but...
...next time maybe he should try this!
The couple below were entertaining - he got to the overlook and just laid down, completely worn out from the hike up. She wanted to walk over closer to the arch. Afterward, she decided her lack of footing made it too perilous to go back for the cap she accidentally left over there. Joani volunteered me to run over and get it for her which was really no problem for me and was much appreciated.
If you sit for a while and enjoy where you are, it gives you the opportunity to meet the nicest people.
This couple from South Dakota was a hoot. He said, "I fall down in my hotel room - no way am I walking over there!" She was terrified, but did it anyway!
We met Brent as he was just starting to sketch the arch.
The picture below was one of my favorites as it captured the arch and the shadow of the arch below it creating a double arch.
A little Hopi chipmunk entertained us all with its antics.
It was so nice of Brent to allow us to photograph the finished drawing. I loved it - I wish I could have perused his entire sketchbook. I would like to see his oil paintings someday.
The trail winds through an area full of chert - a hard, shiny rock used by native Americans for tools and weapons
A short side trip will take you to a rock with Ute art carved sometime between A.D. 1650 and 1850.
The air was so clear that the colors of Salt Valley really popped as we drove out of the park.
Ooh, I love the colors in Brent's sketch.
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