Arches National Park

Park Avenue

Arches National Park is in the Eastern part of Utah.  It lies atop an underground salt bed. " Water and Ice, extreme temperatures and underground salt movement are responsible for the sculptured rock scenery".  (A quote from the park brochure)
I was there on a day when there were clouds and returned the next day which was sunny with crystal blue skies typical of Utah.

Balanced Rock

Another balanced rock

All of the features on the road into the park are named but the park rangers say that there are plenty of unnamed arches and if hiking a person could discover one that they know nothing about.

Hiking into Sand Dune Arch

 I walked to Sand Dune Arch so named because it is on a sand dune.  Through these rocks there was a family with a small child playing in the sand.

Sand Dune Arch

Out of Sand Dune Arch

The next feature I came across were the petrified sand dunes.  Formed millions of years ago and then covered by rock they compacted and petrified and then the covering rock eroded away.

Petrified Sand Dunes

The dunes look just like rock (and are now) but you can see dune shapes.

View across Salt Valley

Delicate Arch

The most photographed arch in the park is Delicate Arch.  The iconic photo is from the other side but I was not able to hike the rough trail complete with a narrow ledge to walk on.  This photo was taken from a viewpoint and cropped.

Three Gossips

The Three Gossips were my favorite feature.

Organ pipes

Some foliage from the park.

Tree Sculpture

Interesting wildflower

Back at my campground in Moab I was in a valley between 2 rock rims with mountains in the distance.  A beautiful setting.

Rock Rim

Moon set

Leaving Utah (sniffle) I traveled up a beautiful canyon along the Colorado River.  Upriver from the Grand Canyon, this canyon will have to do for now.

 

Follow me as I drive east and attend a party with friends from the Florida Keys and return to Cleveland and Jim's yard.