Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in Arches National Park. It is a symbol of Utah, appearing on their license plates and many brochures, and is also one of the most famous geologic features in the world. The light opening beneath Delicate Arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park.
There are three possible hikes to see the arch. Let’s decide which trail we will take.
All three options are down Delicate Arch Road, about 12 miles from the Visitor Center. A 1.2-mile drive down the road is our first option’s parking.
Option 1: Park at Wolf Ranch parking area. The hike is three miles round trip and rated strenuous. The Park Service’s trail description: This trail is strenuous and the arch is not visible until the end of the trail. Avoid this hike during midday summer heat. This trail climbs up a steep slickrock slope with no shade and some exposure to heights. Just before reaching Delicate Arch, the trail follows a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards. Watch carefully for trail markers to avoid getting lost. Other hikers shared that some rock scrambling is required to get down to the arch. What’s rock scrambling? It means using three limbs to traverse an area–both legs and one arm or both arms and one leg depending on terrain. This is the only trail where it is possible to walk around and under the arch.
Hmmm . . .
Driving down Delicate Arch Road an additional .2 miles is the parking area for the other two options.
Option 2: The Upper Viewpoint Trail is a half-mile round-trip hike. From the Park Service: A moderately strenuous trail climbs to the upper viewpoint of Delicate Arch, which sits across a canyon one mile away. You cannot hike to Delicate Arch on this trail. Other hikers said it is easy to get lost, unable to find views of the arch, and the trail is steep with rock stairs and rocky areas to traverse.
Hmmm . . .
Option 3: Walk down flat Lower Viewpoint Trail for 200 feet and look north.
Guess which one I did? That’s why we have long lenses my friend!!
People sitting on rocks to the left did the hike past Wolf Ranch. Many appear to be figuring out how to get down to the arch. Many others are hiding in the shade far left out of this picture. The people closest to us did the Upper Viewpoint Trail, now looking at the canyon between themselves and the arch. Happily they found the trail to get them here. Yes, it is that steep.
The brave souls giving us perspective on the size of the arch obviously dealt with the rock’s drop off successfully (left rear). The views beneath the arch must be stunning though!
Maybe next time in Arches National Park we’ll try a different trail. Hmmm . . . maybe not 😉 .
Until next time my friend . . .
