Arches National Park

The morning of the fifth day of our trip found us at Arches National Park, only five miles north of Moab. Arches is one of the most photographed locations in the world. A photo of the Delicate Arch provides the background on the Utah license plate. And, at one time or another, every outdoor magazine has included photos of some of the 2,000 arches visible in the Park.

A beautiful location for a trailhead

Devils Garden

We started our explorations at the Devils Garden Trailhead. The Trail took us to five arches. The moon was still visible in the sky providing a nice touch to the views of Landscape Arch. With a light opening measured at 306 feet, it has the longest span of any arch in North America. It is also crumbling away and will probably disappear over the next few years.

The beauty of the Park is world famous and it is relatively small. It is not for those people seeking solitude. There were several large buses parked at the Trailhead and many of the folks we passed on the Trail were speaking French, German, Japanese and other languages. I heard many oohs and aahs along the way, a universal language shared by all.

Landscape Arch

Sandstone sentinels along the Trail

On the Trail to Landscape Arch

Well-maintained trail

Wall Arch

The moon and Landscape Arch

The Three Gossips not far from the entrance to Arches

Towering cliffs above the trail