Arches
National Park, located just beyond the Colorado River in Moab, Utah,
offers spectacular views of natural rock arches (or bridges as some
call them) as well as canyons, cliffs, petrified sand dunes, spires
and rocks which remain balanced atop seemingly inadequate bases.
The diverse area was formed over the course of 100 million years
and continues to change through the decades. Extreme temperatures,
ice, water and wind shaped the amazing natural features that are
visible today.
There are more than 2,000 arches that range from three foot openings,
to the largest- Landscape Arch, which measures over 300 feet from
base to base. Back in 1991, a 60 foot long piece of rock fell from
the arch. Although people were under the arch at the time, the cracking
noise and bits of falling rock were enough to urge tourists out
of the area. A permanent display at the base of the arch features
an amazing photo taken by a tourist that captured the moment the
rock broke free. Eventually, natural forces will bring the arch
down, but other arches continue to evolve. If you only hike to one
feature, Landscape Arch is the one not miss. The easy trail up to,
and around, Landscape is one of the most popular attractions at
the park. The beginning of the hike starts through a narrow canyon
passage with whipping winds eerily reminiscent of scene in the film
Star Wars. (I mistakenly left my light sabre in the car.)
The Delicate Arch is perched on a jutting slope and can only be
explained as something you see on another planet. This arch is among
the most beautiful in the park and is surrounded by spires and eroded
rock formations. It can be observed from a short trail or a longer
and more strenuous three mile round-trip trail. (For anyone with
younger kids-skip the longer trail.) The North and South Window
Arches are a side-by-side double delight and Balanced Rock defies
explanation as to how it can remain standing after all these years.
Other formations in the park include Turret, Sand Dune, Skyline
and Broken Arches.
We found the services at the park are minimal, with full restrooms
available at the visitor's center and primitive-style restrooms
at other points. A campground is first-come, first serve and includes
some group camp areas. The wildlife at Arches National Park includes
raccoons, bighorn sheep, squirrels, porcupine, coyotes and the occasional
mountain lion. Arches National Park can easily be seen in one full
day, but two full days gives you a better chance at the all the
hiking, photographic opportunities and ranger-led guided walks that
the park has to offer.
