After visiting the windows section of Arches National Park,
follow the road back to the main park road and turn right. The road will take
you down to the floor of the valley. Watch for the signs to Delicate Arch. Turn
right there.
There are two parking areas along the road. The first is at
the Wolfe Ranch where the trailhead to the arch begins. It isn’t a hard hike
but is about a mile and a half and has an elevation gain of about 500 feet.
Most of the hike is over slick rock and there are cairns along the way to direct
you to the best route. As you approach the arch, the trail is narrow and drops
off a sheer cliff but the trail is wide enough and smooth so walking is easy. You can’t see the arch until you get to the
end of the trail.
There is a small arch in the wall just before Delicate Arch
that provides a nice view of this famous arch. It is a relatively easy climb up
but the climb down is dangerous. If you choose to check out the view, be
prepared to slide down on your backside.
Make sure you take plenty of water on your hike to Delicate
Arch. The hot dry climate can drain you of water. The effort will also cause
you to perspire. If you visit Delicate Arch during the cool season, make sure
you carry a jacket. It may be warm on your hike, but when you get to your
destination, even the slightest breeze will cool you down fast.
The best time to photograph Delicate Arch from this location
is in the late afternoon when the sun lights up the arch and the La Sal
Mountains in the distance.
The less strenuous place to see Delicate Arch begins at the
parking area at the end of the road. There is a lookout area a short distance
from the parking lot. The arch is a long way off so you won’t get the classic
view of the arch, but you will be able to see it. There is a hiking trail there
that will lead you to a viewpoint much closer to Delicate Arch. It isn't nearly
as demanding the hike to the arch itself, but it is steep. You can’t get to the
base of Delicate Arch from this place as there is canyon that separates the two
places.
These locations offer good photographic opportunities from
mid-morning on. Early in the day, the arch is in shadow. A long lens is a good
idea when photographing Delicate Arch from these viewpoints.
Delicate Arch Viewed from the upper viewing area at the end of the road. I made this photo using a 400mm lens.
After viewing Delicate Arch, head back to the main park road
and turn right. The road will take you past Fiery Furnace and lead you to the
parking area near the Devil’s Garden.
The Fiery Furnace is interesting and best captured from the
viewpoint. The best way to see it close-up is to sign up for a ranger led tour.
The Fiery Furnace is a maze that can easily get you lost if you don’t know
where you are going.
As you drive along the road past the Fiery Furnace, you will
see Skyline Arch along the fin wall on your right. There is a parking along the
road if you wish to hike to the arch. It is less than a half mile round-trip to
the arch.
The setting sun will light up Skyline Arch so plan you photo
op for late in the day.
Make sure you leave plenty of time to visit Landscape Arch
which the longest known arch in the world. It is accessible via an easy hike
from the parking area at the Devil’s Garden. The hike is along flat ground and
is about a mile and a half round-trip walk. You can get reasonably close to
this arch but, because a piece of the arch collapsed a few years ago, access to
the area below the arch is prohibited.
The view of this arch is from the east, so early morning
works best for photographing it. That time of the day also assures you of a
parking place. The Devil’s Garden is a very popular area of the park and
parking spaces are not always available.
Landscape Arch may collapse in the near future so make sure you see it while it is still there.
Beyond Landscape are some other impressive arches but getting
to them requires much more effort. Access to Pine Tree and Tunnel Arch are just
off the trail between the parking lot and Landscape Arch. These are easy walks.
If you see all of the features of Arches National Park found
in these two articles, you will have seen some of the best that the park
offers.
