Quite a few Jeep commercials have been shot in the Moab area of southeastern Utah where the location showcases the off-roading prowess of the vehicle. Arches is just north of Moab where there are more than 2,000 natural arches, the world's largest concentration. Plus there are fascinating examples of oddly sculptured and balanced rocks. There are no known natural bridges in Arches. Bridges are formed when a cliff face is undercut by flowing water. Arches are formed by erosion and the freeze-thaw cycle that gradually flakes and crumbles porous sandstone. Some arches are quite solid looking. Landscape Arch is long, thin, and delicate looking. Not to be confused with Delicate Arch that is rather large and robust.
The scenery in Arches can be quite distracting. The Park Service cautions motorists to use the pullouts for sight-seeing and photography. We have seen drivers so pressed for time that they could not be bothered to stop to take pictures but insisted on using their cell-phone cameras as they drove along. Even those who do stop for pictures can run into trouble. Rangers also suggest that visitors not walk off a cliff while looking at their camera's viewfinder. It may seem silly and improbable but....
Arches is a park that requires some advance preparation for your visit. The campground is at the far end of the park road and fills early. But, you may think, we can just get a hotel or lodge room in Moab. Maybe. Sure. You could try to do that. You might even be successful. Lots of other people get lucky. You might too.
The good news is the 18-mile aptly named Arches Scenic Drive takes you almost everywhere you want to go. The exceptions are reached by short spur roads. Some places like the Windows or Double Arch require a very modest walk but in most instances the longest walk you will have to make is from the far end of the parking lot.
And here's another exception: You can view Delicate Arch from the viewpoint but if you want a closer look you should plan on a 1.5 mile walk. Experienced hikers may think a mile and a half is no big deal but the cairn-marked trail climbs 500 feet over slickrock that is smooth and rounded just to make the footing interesting. Even if you choose not to walk, the park is still pretty interesting.
Landscape Arch
Balanced Rock looks radically different depending on which profile you are facing. A trail loops around it.
Hard to believe those are all the same rock.
Delicate Arch
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