August 27 & 28: Moab, UT Arches Nat'l Park

After a delightful early morning hike at Meas Verde and a pancake breakfast we departed for Moab.  The closer we got the landscape changed and the majestic rock formations appeared out of nowhere. 



Taken from the car on the drive over from Mesa Verde




Also taken as we drove along

 Our campground is just outside of Moab and is along the Colorado River.  Outside our window is one very tall, red mountain.  It was hot, 100 when we arrived at noon.  We settled in and then drove the short distance to Arches Nat'l Park. Wow and more wow!!!!!!!!!
 

Blue sky and tree in the opening1



Similiar but not the same arch




Amazing rock formation



Balanced rock!



  Delicate Arch was off the beaten path and required a 3 mile hike to reach it. We began  around 5 pm when it was much cooler.  We climbed up and up and on the rocks, and finally reached this majestic arch!  The sky was turning dark, like rain, and thunder began rumbling so we headed back after a short time there.  It never did rain!

Delicate Arch



Rock formations are everywhere!


Today we were back at the park and started a hike at 6:45 am to avoid the heat.  It was overcast and stayed cool until 11:30 ish and we got off the trail around noon.  So it worked out well.  Most of the trail was quite sandy, and we had to stop and empty the sand from our shoes. 

This arch is thinning as a major part of the rock fell in 1991.  Hikers were there and no one was injured.  Now you cannot hike under the arch. 




Some flowers along the way

 




Close up shot of this arch.

Phil hiking up on the "slip" rock.

This is an amazing park and should be on your "must" see list. In the area surrounding Moab, there are walls and walls of 1000 ft rocks. We drove the scenic byway #128 and the formations followed the Colorado river for 14 miles.

Tomorrow another early start to drive to Devils Point State Park and then to Canyonlands.