Arches National Park – Delicate Arch

If we were to do Zion National Park all over again, we would hike the Angels Landing first thing in the morning, when the air’s cool and our energy level high.

This we did at Arches National Park.

The 3 mile loop trail to Delicate Arch begins at Wolfe Ranch. Also know as Turnbow Cabin, this humble one-room cabin was built by Civil War veteran John Wesley Wolfe and later sold to Marvin Turnbow and his partners.

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The cabin measures merely 17 feet by 15 feet (5.2m by 4.6m), and is made of cottonwood logs topped by a thatch-and-clay roof.

Not far from the trailhead comes an intersection, the left of which leads to a large rock wall

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with petroglyphs (petro = rock, glyph = carving) by Ute people – A group of Native American people living primarily in Utah and Colorado.

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The stylized horse and rider surrounded by bighorn sheep and dog-like animals is typical of Ute rock art. Carved sometimes between A.D 1650 and 1850, these petroglyphs are visible along the vertical wall ahead. Today, this rock art panel is important to many Native Americans of this region because it was created by their ancestors. – US National Park Service

Back to the main trail and begin the ascend. First on a dirt path,

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which winds through an area full of chert – a hard, shiny rock used by Natiive Americans for tools and weapons

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Then onto a long stretch of open slickrocks.

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Trail are neatly marked with signs

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cairns

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both

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even dead tree branches.

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There are Utah junipers, providing minimal shades to those in need.

And places for taking short breaks.

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After walking around a short ledge hugging a steep cliff – from which a natural window can be spotted right across.

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There it is! – Freestanding, 64 feet high and 45 feet wide, formed by Entrada sandstone

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framing the snowy peaks of the La Sal mountain in the background.

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Delicate Arch – the most iconic symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world.

Note:
Round trip: 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
Elevation change: 480 feet uphill to the arch and downhill back to trailhead.
Best time of the day: Later afternoon is best for photographing the arch. However, sunrise is just as beautiful, much cooler, and always less busy. You might find several hundred people at Delicate Arch for sunset, but just a handful for sunrise. Try to enter the park before 7 am. Get an early start, and beat the crowds. Sunrise and Sunset Times
Carry and drink water: 2-3 quarts (2-3 L) of water per person.
Bring sunscreen and a hat.

33 thoughts on “Arches National Park – Delicate Arch”

  2. Arches looks fantastic! My parents went earlier this year, and I really wish I could’ve gone. Someday, I’ll have to make the trip over. Your photos are gorgeous; looking forward to your next post on the U.S. national parks!

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  8. Love your photo of the arch and the mountain through the arch. Who was the picture of the lady and two young children? Has our Blog author revealed herself? Thanks for telling us how long the walk was… I notice there aren’t good places to go to the restroom. Got to have a good bladder. There were a lot of people walking. Appreciate the photos.

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  14. Pingback: Arches National Park – More Arches – Travel-Gourmand.com

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