Some hiking in Arches National Park

Sunrise in the Delicate Arch.
Sunrise in the Delicate Arch. This is the most famous arch in the world. 

The reason to go is that this is the place with more density of natural arches on the planet. 

The reason to hike is because you need to walk a little to get close to the arches. 

A good reason for not going to Arches is how crowded this national park is. 

We woke up at 5 am and hit the road to avoid the need of a permit - required from 7 to 4 pm. 

C hiking in Arches National Park.
Early morning hike. 

We reached the park at 6 am and drove in the darkness all the way to the trailhead of the famous Delicate Arch. 

Surprise! There were a lot of folks already there. The same huge amount of folks we found later at the base of the arch. 

In this place, we also took a look at the old Wolfe Ranch and the rock art from old American Indians. 

Cabin of the Wolfe Ranch.
Wolfe Ranch or Turnbow Cabin. John Wesley Wolfe moved to this remote place in 1898.

American Indian rock art.
Ancient Native American rock art. People on horses and longhorn sheep - the horses indicate that this was made after the arrival of the Spaniards. 

After the three miles roundtrip to the arch, we went for the faraway view and hiked to the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint. 

Wide view of the Delicate Arch.
Far view of the Delicate Arch from a ridge..

Delicate art.
Another view from the distance. 

Wildlife footprint in Arches National Park.
We found this footprint on a sandy section of the ridge. Longhorn sheep? 

Next in the plan was the hike to Devil's Garden. 

We didn't find the Devil, but a bunch of arches. 

Tunnel Arch in Arches National Park.
The Tunnel Arch. 

Pine Tree Arch.
Pine Tree Arch. 

The trail was crowded until we crossed the steep climb after Landscape Arch. 

Landscape Arch.
Landscape Arch, the longest arch in North America. 

Devil's Garden trail after Landscape Arch.
The trail gets harder. 

After this point, the walk was more peaceful. 

C hiking in Devil's Garden.
More effort was required. 

Hiking Devil's Garden in Arches.
Hike after the Landscape Arch. 

Partition Arch.
The Partition Arch. 

Interesting rock in Devil's Garden.
Interesting formation. 

In the afternoon, we visited the Windows and stopped by the Balanced Rock Overlook. 

North Windows Arch.
The North Windows. 

Balanced Rock in Arches.
Balanced Rock. The boulder is estimated to weight over 3,000 tons. 

Edward Abbey lived two years in a trailer near Balanced Rock working as ranger in Arches. 

Arches in the national park.
More arches. 

Enough of Arches National Park for the day. No need to come back. 

This high desert nature is strangely beautiful, but I have mixed feelings on enjoying such a crowded place. This is another destination that reminds me of Disney World. 

Edward Abbey always opposed the development of Arches. He was right. The NPS should have left the primitive dirt road. 

BLM camping near Moab, Utah.
Back to camping in BLM land with its primitive dirt roads - please, keep it this way. 

(Posted from the phone.)

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