Scott Chandler
Wildness is a necessity- John Muir
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2014
- Messages
- 1,099
11-10-2015
While I have visited Arches quite a few times in my life, I swear all I've done is hiked to Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and the Fiery Furnace. Well I canyoneered there too so I guess that's one more memorable trip.
So when I woke up Tuesday morn I was undaunted by the forecast and headed out to hike the Devil's Garden Loop. A storm was going to move in that afternoon, but bands of clouds were already blowing into the area. I screamed off the mesa to hopefully beat the storm.
By the time I hit the trailhead, I had pretty blue skies.
And a couple pining crows. Their acrobatics were actually really cool to watch. I had never seen that before.
Quickly I reached Landscape Arch. Tis a cool arch, very long. I would love to get behind it one day. I scouted that possibility a few times this day, but ultimately didn't commit to doing it. Part of me considers it a disrespect, to the arch itself... Dang land ethics...
From there I set out into the Loop.
The side trips out to Partition and Navajo Arches were pretty sweet. It is awesome how every arch seems to have its own flavor.
Continuing along the loop I was impressed by the trail itself. It isn't often that the act of following a trail is in itself a fun time. Whoever thought up this trail had a good head on their shoulders.
Black Arch
Then Double O Arch. A family seemed to think the arch was there. As they did every permutation of people in picture, at different locations, including illegally on the arch, my patience was thoroughly tested. The ranger hat almost came out... Still a cool spot.
From there I made the quick detour to Dark Angel. It is amazing that Egyptians built towering obelisks, and here was a natural monument of similar ilk. I sure felt an awesome spirituality about it.
From there it was on to the back side of the loop. Winding through the fins the "primitive","difficult hiking" warnings became evident. It truly felt like a canyoneering experience.
Private Arch
Eventually realizing where I was, I made a quick off trail side trip. My bet worked out, and I got below the aforementioned Black Arch. I can't say it looked like very many people make that stroll.
By the time I made it back to Landscape Arch, the sky had filled with clouds and the breeze had turned into a gale. Returning to DHP I entered first rain, and then snow. I did my hike at a good time and made a great Arches memory.
While I have visited Arches quite a few times in my life, I swear all I've done is hiked to Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and the Fiery Furnace. Well I canyoneered there too so I guess that's one more memorable trip.
So when I woke up Tuesday morn I was undaunted by the forecast and headed out to hike the Devil's Garden Loop. A storm was going to move in that afternoon, but bands of clouds were already blowing into the area. I screamed off the mesa to hopefully beat the storm.
By the time I hit the trailhead, I had pretty blue skies.
And a couple pining crows. Their acrobatics were actually really cool to watch. I had never seen that before.
Quickly I reached Landscape Arch. Tis a cool arch, very long. I would love to get behind it one day. I scouted that possibility a few times this day, but ultimately didn't commit to doing it. Part of me considers it a disrespect, to the arch itself... Dang land ethics...
From there I set out into the Loop.
The side trips out to Partition and Navajo Arches were pretty sweet. It is awesome how every arch seems to have its own flavor.
Continuing along the loop I was impressed by the trail itself. It isn't often that the act of following a trail is in itself a fun time. Whoever thought up this trail had a good head on their shoulders.
Black Arch
Then Double O Arch. A family seemed to think the arch was there. As they did every permutation of people in picture, at different locations, including illegally on the arch, my patience was thoroughly tested. The ranger hat almost came out... Still a cool spot.
From there I made the quick detour to Dark Angel. It is amazing that Egyptians built towering obelisks, and here was a natural monument of similar ilk. I sure felt an awesome spirituality about it.
From there it was on to the back side of the loop. Winding through the fins the "primitive","difficult hiking" warnings became evident. It truly felt like a canyoneering experience.
Private Arch
Eventually realizing where I was, I made a quick off trail side trip. My bet worked out, and I got below the aforementioned Black Arch. I can't say it looked like very many people make that stroll.
By the time I made it back to Landscape Arch, the sky had filled with clouds and the breeze had turned into a gale. Returning to DHP I entered first rain, and then snow. I did my hike at a good time and made a great Arches memory.
Thanks for posting this! Your photos are fantastic, and it helped me see what we missed out on.
