Moab - A town wholly dependent on Arches for lively-hood. We fill up gas (3.19) decide to pack lunch again as we have read that there is absolutely no food available in Arches National Park (very true). The park is just 5 miles North on 191 from where we were the night before. Takes an hour to go through the entrance - even though it's a Monday - majority of the tourists are Europeans and all campgrounds in the park are full.
After the customary stop at the visitor's center, our first stop for a short hike is at the Park Avenue - so named because the rock formations look like a city skyline. Our next stop is at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, where after taking pictures we proceed to the Courthouse Towers viewpoint. A short walk around to take pictures of the rock formations and then off we go to see our first Arch. But we had to stop on the way at the Balanced Rock viewpoint to take a few more pictures and then we arrive at the Windows section. Here we see the Cove Arch, Double Arch as well as various other unnamed arches. A nice half mile walk in 100 degree weather and we are exhausted by the time we get back. We proceed to our final hike of the day to see the Delicate Arch. It's another half mile hike - but we climb about 300 feet. No shade anywhere and it's blistering hot. We come back drained and replenish ourselves by having lunch. I'm so glad that I brought my powered car cooler-box along. We could have some semblance of cool water and it helps preserve the food. Water at the Visitor Center's and Ranger stations is tepid - no cold water available anywhere.
After lunch, we head out of the Arches National Park to drive to the Needles side of Canyon Lands National Park. Yesterday we were at the "Island in the Sky" side. This is a two hour drive south from Arches National Park. While the drive to branch off to the park is less than hour from Arches, the branch off road is an hour and a half in and an hour and half out. By the time we get there the Visitor Center is closed - but we go to main spot - The Grand Spring Viewpoint and take pictures.
Another hour's drive south on 191 from the branch off and we are in Blanding for our night halt.
Day Stats: approx 250 miles (including Arches and Canyon Lands internal trips)
After the customary stop at the visitor's center, our first stop for a short hike is at the Park Avenue - so named because the rock formations look like a city skyline. Our next stop is at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, where after taking pictures we proceed to the Courthouse Towers viewpoint. A short walk around to take pictures of the rock formations and then off we go to see our first Arch. But we had to stop on the way at the Balanced Rock viewpoint to take a few more pictures and then we arrive at the Windows section. Here we see the Cove Arch, Double Arch as well as various other unnamed arches. A nice half mile walk in 100 degree weather and we are exhausted by the time we get back. We proceed to our final hike of the day to see the Delicate Arch. It's another half mile hike - but we climb about 300 feet. No shade anywhere and it's blistering hot. We come back drained and replenish ourselves by having lunch. I'm so glad that I brought my powered car cooler-box along. We could have some semblance of cool water and it helps preserve the food. Water at the Visitor Center's and Ranger stations is tepid - no cold water available anywhere.
After lunch, we head out of the Arches National Park to drive to the Needles side of Canyon Lands National Park. Yesterday we were at the "Island in the Sky" side. This is a two hour drive south from Arches National Park. While the drive to branch off to the park is less than hour from Arches, the branch off road is an hour and a half in and an hour and half out. By the time we get there the Visitor Center is closed - but we go to main spot - The Grand Spring Viewpoint and take pictures.
Another hour's drive south on 191 from the branch off and we are in Blanding for our night halt.
Day Stats: approx 250 miles (including Arches and Canyon Lands internal trips)
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| At Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Arches National Park |
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| Petroglyphs on way to Canyon Lands (Needles) |
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| Canyon Lands (Needles) |
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| Canyon Lands (Needles) |
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| Canyon Lands (Needles) |
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| Canyon Lands (Needles) |
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| Canyon Lands (Needles) |
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| Roadside Arches way to Blanding |
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| Roadside Arches way to Blanding |
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