![]() ![]() The short, popular trail traverses a desert landscape along a wide, well defined trail for the first 0.75 miles and then follows a cairned trail up a slickrock slope with nice views of the red rock formation to the south. The sudden appearance of this beautiful arch, perched on the edge of a huge sandstone bowl and framed by the scenic La Sal Mountains, will literally take your breath away. It is only at the end, as you round the end of a sandstone ridge, that Delicate Arch springs into view. But it’s only when you hike to the arch that you will gain a full appreciation this stunning natural formation.ĭuring most of the hike the arch is hidden from view. Trailhead coordinates: 38.73565, -109.5206 (38° 44′ 08.35″N 109° 31′ 14.When touring Utah it is hard to miss the iconic image of Delicate Arch emblazoned on license plates, calendar covers, postcards and other tourist paraphernalia. Trailhead address: Arches National Park, Moab, UT 84532 Continue an additional 1.2 miles and turn left into the parking area for Delicate Arch Trail. To get to the trailhead: From the visitor center, drive 12.3 miles up Park Avenue and turn right. This awe-inspiring sight will stick with you. When you are ready to head back, probably after the sun has gone down, return the way you came. Have a seat along the sandstone amphitheater and watch the light play off Delicate Arch. The vast colorful landscape behind the arch sets the backdrop for one of the most striking views in any national park. ![]() The creation and steadfastness of Delicate Arch seem improbably, but thank god it’s there. Somehow, this stubborn span perseveres, looking both breathtaking and perilous. If you arrive around sunrise or sunset, the spiritual beauty will be undeniable.ĭelicate Arch is only about fifty feet tall, and stands in an area where the surrounding stone has been removed. There is something special about this place that is hard to describe. Wow, what a sight! Delicate Archĭelicate Arch stands on the side of a bowl shaped depression, flying solo above the surrounding rock. The building anticipation can make the mile and a half journey to Delicate Arch feel long, but as you traverse the ledge, the trail curves to the right and Delicate Arch appears. A path cut into the ledge presents the only way forward. Follow the cairn-lined track across bare rock as it turns northward, leveling some before swinging to the right around the back of a sandstone fin. ![]() The wide gravel trail is reduced to a weathered line across exposed sandstone. The trail takes a gradual climb up slickrock slopes, eventually ascending 500 feet to the arch. Looking back on the trail as it starts up the slickrock Not long after, a side trail to the left visits petroglyphs along a rock wall. The homestead was built alongside Salt Marsh, which the trail crosses with the help of a wooden bridge. This incredible 3-mile trek is a must-do for anyone visiting Arches.īegin from Delicate Arch Trailhead and head east past Wolfe Ranch, the former home of the park’s earliest Caucasian inhabitants. Two overlooks provide a distant view of the arch, but the best way to see Delicate Arch is to hike right up to it. The emblematic arch appears on the Utah License plate, and while it is certainly not the largest in the park, it is probably the most memorable. Do not leave Arches National Park without seeing Delicate Arch. ![]()
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