Back for our second day at Arches National Park. We arrived early and hiked for most of the seven hours we were there! Except for our picnic lunch. Needed some energy!
One of the most famous and photographed points of interest is Delicate Arch. It is set amid cliffs and slick rock domes. It is a three-mile hike with an elevation gain of 480 feet, upward, with much exposure to heights, and some rocky footing; very strenuous. These pictures show some of our climb, but doesn't show exactly how difficult it was! But the reward of this amazing view! I couldn't get enough of it. We actually sat up there for a good 30 minutes just in awe (really, just post-poning our descent back down). It was crowded up there. We realized, it was spring break and there were many families and young adults visiting the park. The younger people were more daring to walk out to the arch and climb some of the other rock formations. I was uncomfortable with the slickness of the rock and wouldn't go. Andy went part way until I yelled for him to come back. He was pretty gutsy for someone who couldn't even step out at the top of the Eiffel Tower! I guess this view is best at sunset. But I couldn't imagining walking down in the darkness. The path is marked by cairns, a short pile of small stacked rocks, and you just following them...no dirt trail, no signs. They can be easy to miss.
The Delicate Arch was iconic. Well worth the sore knees. This is my favorite park. Andy still likes Zion the best.
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