Man was ready for another hike, we had one day left in Moab before we would hit the road again, heading for Bryce Canyon. We decide on a hike in Arches National Park. We had at least 2 brochures to study to assist in our decision on which hike we would attempt. We had the Arches National Park Visitor Guide dated 2010 No. 3, which on page 4 shows the hikes divided by their estimation of difficulty. There is no way we are going to try anything more than Easy, based on previous walks we had taken at various parks. We also had the brochure handed to us when we entered the park. Both guides stated that the Broken Arch Trail was easy, about 1.3 miles round trip and should take us 30 to 60 minutes. Well, we have already proven there is NO way we can do this in 60 minutes, I stop too much to gawk and take photos, we know it will take us close to twice that amount of time.
We have water, hats, sunscreen, walking sticks, snacks, extra battery for Sony, and of course, Sony. We are ready to go. Let's hike! Just minutes after we begin, this is the view:
Below, sections of the trail are soft sand:
Up the trail a bit further there is a sign announcing Tapestry Arch, 300 yards. 300 yards? Yep, gotta go have a lookie see. Here is Man scampering over a dead Utah pine, beyond, the trail abruptly turns from soft sand to slickrock. I actually chose to go right, ducking under another Utah pine, around most of this pile of limbs, as I felt a bit uneasy with the width of the trail. Ya, I picked what looked like the "easier" path. LOL
After we scamper up that slick rock and follow the cairns over a few more, here is Tapestry Arch. You should seriously consider clicking on the image, for the larger version, click your browser back button to return here to Reflections:
A bit closer look courtesy of Sony and photo editing:
Back on the trail, red red slick rock and formations continue to fill us with awe:
The trail has changed from rather deep soft sand to a harder packed surface. Much easier walking.
Our first view of Broken Arch, our "destination" ??
Next, we shall take you up to the Arch, and beyond. It is getting to the "beyond" stage that proves a bit challenging for Reflections.
* Now you know I take way too many photos, yes, I do. Some have asked, what does Man do while I am busy shooting TOO many photos?? Well, here, have a lookie see:
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3 comments:
Looks like some interesting hiking. Also looks like a prime place to be running up on snakes. Were you two the only people out there?
Good question Lisa, I was wondering the same two things. A rattler could have snuggled up against Man.
No snakes, thank goodness! We saw a few people on the trail, one delightful couple from Germany that we ran into twice, they were going the opposite direction on the trail, we had 2 nice conversations with them. And of notice, a gang of little people, a class of children, maybe 4 to 6 years old, on a field trip! I was reminded how, mmm, old I am getting, as I watched them charge and scramble up long hills and rocks, the same hills and rocks that took me forever to lumber up. SIGH! LOL
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