Tag Archives: Arches

Winter in Moab, Utah

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Delicate Arch at Sunset

It’s been awhile since we went to Grand Junction, CO (CO National Monument) and Moab, UT (Arches National Park). Since we had a long weekend, we decided that now was the time to take the trip.  We started out with dinner at Chik-fil-A, and then began our drive to Grand Junction, CO.

The top of Serpents Trail.

On Saturday we stopped at Colorado National Monument, where we took a quick hike on the Serpent’s Trail.  It was originially the road going into the park, before the modern, paved road was put in.

Balanced Rock

After the hike, we continued on to Moab, Utah, site of Arches National Park.  Saturday afternoon we had the chance to see several of the Arches in the Windows section, as well as Balanced Rock.  We also came back into the park at night to watch the stars.

Blurry Golden Eagle

Sunday was our big day of sightseeing; Tony spotted a Golden Eagle by the Devils Garden section of the park.  He was perched on a tall rock outcropping; we had the chance to watch him surveying his territory.  After a very short hike to see another arch, we decided it was cold so we went back to town for a bit.

Us in front of Delicate Arch

By then, it was time to head back into the park, since we wanted to hike up to Delicate Arch that afternoon.  After an icy hike near the top of the climb, we had a great view of the arch as the sunset. (Thanks to the kind photographer that took this photo for us!)

The remains of Wall Arch.

Monday morning was our last day in Utah.  We drove into the park to see the Devil’s Garden area.  We then hiked to see Landscape Arch, and went a little bit farther to see Wall Arch – or at least the remains of it (it collapsed earlier in the year).

Golden Eagle hanging out at I-70 in Utah.

Golden Eagle in flight.

One of the highlights of the trip occurred on our way out of the park.  We saw a Golden Eagle perched on a sign (and in flight), and we saw a Bald Eagle in flight.  Check out more of the trip pictures on the Photo Albums page.

Arches Road trip

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Devil’s Garden Entrance

Well, this past weekend we ventured to the wild and wonderful state of Utah to visit Arches N. P. We arrived in Moab, UT late Friday night / early Saturday morning and promptly checked into the Sleep Inn and, appropriately, went to sleep.

Saturday morning we got brunch at the local diner. Their green chili, taters, egg, and bacon skillet is fantastic, by the way. Then we headed up to Arches, where we decided to hike the Devil’s Garden trailhead to Double O Arch. We had hiked the trail once before this past winter, and wanted to try the primitive loop. While the sign warned us of difficult hiking, we didn’t pay it too much attention. After all, what’s so difficult about a sandy and rocky trail? Answer: a rocky trail that climbs almost straight up a smooth rock with no hand holds and a tiny little ledge with a downward slope for your feet. Especially if your shoes don’t have good treads. However, while Louisa was clinging to the rock, Tony had no problems.

Double-O Arch

Double O Arch is a really neat arch, there are two arches on top of each other. So, that was definitely worth the hike, especially because we didn’t get that good of a view of it when we hiked the trail this past winter.

Delicate Arch

On Sunday we decided to hike up to Delicate Arch, and then head back to Denver around 1:30. The hike was very nice, much less extreme than Saturday’s hike, and the arch was as pretty as ever. We also got to listen to the Bills’ and Steelers’ games, although we decided that listening to the Steelers on the way back from Arches somehow jinxes them. Oh well, there’s always next week. On the plus side, the Bills won!

And then we got back to Denver. After realizing that drivers from UT can’t pass, and get mad when you zoom up behind them. Even if they’re going 5-10 mph under the speed limit. In the left lane. C’est le vie.

Arches National Park – Moab, UT

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North and South Windows

After our escapades at Hanging Lake, we continued on towards Arches National Park, in Utah. The 6 hour drive was uneventful, and upon arriving in Moab, UT, we took care of vital business – finding dinner. When we were last there, the diner was closed for renovations. Fortunately, this time they were open, and we ate there for dinner on Saturday. On Sunday, we attempted to go to Denny’s for breakfast, but quickly left when we overheard that they had 4, yes, only 4, waitresses working, and had parties of 30 and 15… and people had been waiting so long they were asking when they could get a table. So we went to the Pancake Haus, where neither of us ordered pancakes (although Louisa’s omelet came with a side of pancakes).

Back to the main event, though – the park. After dinner on Saturday, we decided to check out Tower Arch. It is reached by an 8 mile long, undeveloped road. Translation – the road has a lovely “washboard” effect going on for most of the drive. Nevertheless, the Aztec made the drive, and got very dusty in the process, and we set off on the hike.

The view of the sunset was great, and the little lizard we met along the trail allowed us to take multiple photographs. We took the four-wheel-drive road on the way back, since it was dark and, although we had headlamps, we didn’t want to be climbing up sandstone in the dark.

The next day was pretty warm, so we took it easy, and hiked into Double Arch and took the primitive loop in the Windows section. Then we took a new back road to I-70, and proceeded to drive back to Denver.

And if you’re ever driving down I-70, and pull into a Sonic for lunch, and notice a large white pickup truck next to you with two people in it, consider eating elsewhere, since they will probably be screaming at each other over what to listen to on the radio. Just a word of warning to you all.

Check out our photos from the trip.