SEPTEMBER 11-12-13 - ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

TUES, WED, and THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER 11, 12 and 13, 2012

 

On Monday, we took a drive into MOAB,

 and had lunch, went to the Post Office,

and spent an hour at the Visitor's Center where we

watched their information film, and bought some books.

We also grocery shopped and paid $1.50 per lb. for Gala Apples

and $1.29  per lb. for Peaches.

It did not take long to spend $100 plus.

So, folks back home, appreciate

the wonderful Orchards we have

in Wayne County.

Hopefully, the prices are less there.

 

WEDNESDAY

 

We drove over to ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

yesterday and today.  It is about 55 miles round trip,

and well worth the mileage.

On Wednesday we visited the Visitors Center

to view the Orientation video, and

ask the Ranger for suggestions on

what hiking to do at our skill level.

We chose to drive to the outer limits of

the park to LANDSCAPE ARCH,

and hiked the 1.6 mile RT trail,

taking 70 minutes total.

 

 

This arch is fragile at best.  In Sept. 1991,

a 60 ft. slab peeled away from the right side of the Arch.

160 tons of rock crashed to the ground.

It was video taped by a visitor

who heard the cracking which sounded like thunder,

prior to the separation.

His video was part of that which

we saw at the Visitors Center.

Believe me, when they tell you to stay

on the Trail, after seeing that video,

you do as told.

 

On the 27 mile return trip, we took a few pictures of

various rock formations.

 

The Three Gossips

 

 

The Balanced Rock

 

A footprint in the Sand

to let us know we are only

Visitors in someone's home.

 

 

THURSDAY

 

Today we earned our lunch by hiking

two trails before stopping at Wendy's in Moab.

In some respects we wished we had

picked up Salads before going to

the Park, as we did on Wednesday.

It is best to go prepared with food

as well as beverages, since this National Park

has no facilities.

 

The Double Arches were a short half mile walk,

round trip to see, up close. 

 

 

 

South and North Window Arches

from a considerable distance.

We walked  a mile trail to

the South Window Arch,

and are still wondering how we missed

the North Arch.

 

 

Rita with her Walking Sticks at

South Window Arch. 

I could not help but thank the lady,

in my mind,

who sold them to me, two years ago.

They more than paid for themselves

with the security they gave me.

I would highly recommend you invest

in Walking Sticks if you plan to

enjoy your visits to our National Parks,

where the opportunity to see great

vistas often involves some walking,

and uneven ground.

 

 

This view was from the Upper Viewpoint

of DELICATE ARCH trail.

It was a moderately strenuous

trail over slick rock.

We spent over an hour round trip.

We were thankful for a

steady breeze that cooled us,

and that we had taken water with us.

 

I learned what a Rock Cairn is

from the Arches Visitor Guide.

It acted as a trail marker to let

us know we were heading in the

right direction.



 

 

 

Rock Cairn

 

 

Juniper Arch

was just opposite the view

of the Delicate Arch

when I looked up.

 

What a joyous feeling to be at the

Summit, and know that it

would be all downhill

from there!!!