Moab, Part 2 - Arches National Park, Utah

Barely a few miles north of the town of Moab, Utah is Arches National Park. It is one of five national parks in southern Utah; not the biggest nor the smallest; certainly one of the most visited; and one where it is fairly easy to see the incredible red sandstone formations southern Utah is known for. It has one of the highest concentration of naturally formed arches in the world.

Me standing beneath Delicate Arch Delicate Arch is probably the most iconic symbol of Utah, and is used in many publications and tourism brochures. The hike to the arch is considered difficult with a pretty steep climb up the sandstone rock, an elevation gain of 480 feet and a narrow ledge to traverse in the last few hundred feet.

Balanced Rock Balanced Rock is visible from the main road through the park, although a short trail circumnavigates its base. The La Sal Mountains (unusual to have so little snow on the peaks in late October) make a majestic background.

The jumbled maze of Fiery Furnace This is Fiery Furnace as seen from a distance. The eroded fins create a maze of passageways with towering walls on each side. Ranger-guided hikes through the Furnace have ended for the season, so we purchase a permit (it is the only area in the park requiring a permit other than for overnight backpacking) and attempt to navigate it on our own.

Me standing inside the tiny arch Somehow, we stumble across this tiny arch in one of the dead-end passages of Fiery Furnace, but we never manage to penetrate into the interior of this maze. Next time, we will hire a private tour guide, or return during guided tour season as our hiking day is a bit disappointing.

(L) South Window; (R) North Window The North and South Windows from the backside on the Primitive Trail. These windows are huge; if you look closely, you can see people standing in North Window on the right.

Me standing inside the North Window A view of Turret Arch taken through the North Window, again from the backside where few people wander.

Ok, Brad's almost invisible because he's wearing blue! Brad standing inside one of the arches of Double Arch, also in the Windows Section of the park. (Brad is standing in the bottom right corner of the arch at the bottom left.)

Along the short hike in Park Avenue, so named as the canyon resembles the famed New York street lined on both sides with towering buildings. These are nature's skyscrapers.

Me in the bottom arch with a view of Colorado in the top arch Arches National Park has many other beautiful arch formations which we've seen on previous trips, like Double-O Arch near the end of the Devils Garden Trail. This photo is from our trip in 2009, pre-retirement.

Another photo from our 2009 trip of Landscape Arch, which we think should be called Delicate Arch because it's so thin. Only a few years ago, a huge chunk of rock fell from the underside on the right.

Moab, Part 1 - With Friends, Utah

Southern Utah - our favourite place on earth! How can we resist spending some time here, especially with friends Nancy and Dave, and new friends Dori and Ken. Two national parks are nearby - Arches and Canyonlands - as well as several other remarkable hikes and views. We spend only the first four days of our three week stay in Moab with our friends before they continue on their previously planned journey.

Corona Arch

The train "tunnel" at the beginning of the hike along Potash Road outside of Moab.

Dave (top), Nancy, Ken, Dori, me and Brad Here we all are posing at the one small ladder to climb along the hike to the arch which is behind us. On the left of the photo, you can see a pothole.

Corona Arch Four of us contemplating the sheer size of the arch. See the couple hugging on the right? He has just proposed to her and their dog is waiting so patiently while they are locked in this embrace for at least 5 minutes, maybe even 10. How romantic.

Spring Canyon Road

Overlooking Spring Canyon from the top of the steep road that leads down into the canyon and to the Green River.

Driving down Spring Canyon Road Most of the fun is driving these roads. They are narrow, only allowing 2 cars to pass in a few spots. They are rugged, built on the edges of the steep canyon walls. Like I said - fun!

Mineral Bottom Road to Moses & Zeus

Nancy, Dave, me and Ken hiking out to Moses and Zeus (Dori must be behind Brad the photographer). The two tall spires ahead of us are the aptly-named formations.

A view of Taylor Canyon looking towards the parking area from the base of Moses and Zeus. Ken, Dori and I are about to make our way across the narrow ridge near the bottom left.