Delicate Arch, UT

The views, even in Moab along the highway, were stunning. It was as though the city was preparing it’s visitors for the real terrain just down the road. The first day we made our way to Delicate Arch, one of those well photographed arches that we’ve seen dozens of time in National Geographic. Talk about interesting, and here I’m talking about the hike to it. Plan on a good hour of hiking along rough terrain, followed by shear cliffs, followed by narrow rocky paths.

Delicate Arch is located in Arches National Park, near Moab in SE Utah. Spring and fall are the best time to hike in this area. Summer afternoons can be very hot, but hiking can be pleasant mornings and evenings during summer. Hiking is also enjoyable on mild winter days.

Delicate Arch is one of Utah's most famous icons. You see images of it everywhere: on magazine covers, computer screen savers and license plates. But photos do not adequately convey the stunning beauty that hits you as you come over the ridge and see the arch in person for the first time-when you stand under it, the arch towering above your head, slickrock canyons falling away below you, the snow-covered La Sal Mountains in the distance. It is a spectacular sight.

Delicate Arch

The Arch is situated on the side of a very high and dangerous precipice where a wrong step will send you down literally thousands of feet to a gorge below. What’s more, there were no guides, ropes, or monument signs to remind you to be careful. Yep. You are fully on your own. Step in the wrong place and you’re a goner baby. And that’s what so appealing about hiking to Delicate Arch. Unlike so many parks and public areas in this country, out West you are on your own. Take of yourself too. (We encountered two young women walking to the Arch in socks only. When I asked “why no shoes”, which they were carrying, one said: “we have toenails coming off and walking in shoes in really tough.” Really? You want to hike over rocky terrain, guided only by a series of cairns, with socks only?

The climb to the Arch is arduous - be prepared. Follow the cairns.

The climbing path is along a narrow route on the route. One slip and you're a goner. 

Here's Al marching to the beat of his own drummer (off the main path...)

 

Ann and Marilyn just coming up to the Arch.

We made it (after 1.5 hours or so...)

A view of Delicate Arch (from a Google Panorama picture)

Mike and Marilyn smiling because we actually made it!

Surprisingly there were quite a number of people there. In fact, it was almost crowded! Al is acting confident he won't fall...

If you look down (from Al's position above) there's only this huge gradual drop off for hundreds and hundreds of feet.

Just to emphasize the height where we are standing...

Al standing under the Arch. Notice the lady on the left - she carried their youngest of (3 or 4) all the way up there with apparent ease. When I asked how heavy he was, she replied "he's not all that much." Uhuh, sure...

Lot's of activity on top.

It was amazing how many people had climb up there. The couple in the last scene were from Great Briton. They sold "the business" and have been touring almost continuous (years?) ever since. They most recently were in Myanmar - and it had only been open for tourist about a year!

Al, Ann, and Marilyn at one of the many terrific sites.