Hiking Delicate Arch

Today for Travel Tuesday I am going to share with you another one of Utah's beautiful places.  Inside Arches National Park is a beautiful trail that leads you to one of the most famous arches, Delicate Arch.

I have been to this park many times, quite a bit in my childhood and many times as an adult.  I don't think I could ever get bored in this beautiful desert playground.

One of my favorite hikes is Delicate Arch, it's got everything.  Great trail, with incredible scenery along the entire way.

It's even got Indian Petroglyphs at the very beginning if you want to take a quick side loop trail.

Delicate Arch is classified per the National Park service as a difficult trail.  3.0 miles round trip with about a 480 foot elevation gain.

I actually just visited the park again over the weekend, and made sure to take my camera with me.  I probably have hiked this one at least a couple dozen times in my life and it's awesome each time.  We didn't get on the trail until a little later in the day, it was about 10am.  The temps were about 90 degree's and climbing when we started, so it was a hot one, but well worth it as you will see.


You'll start out on a fairly maintained park trail, easy walking as you head towards the sandstone rock you can see in the distance.


It's here that the majority of all the 480 foot elevation gain slickrock climbing begins.


Climbing the sandstone can be difficult for those out of shape, but can also be a great thigh workout for those who like to power through uphill.  I personally recommend a good sturdy hiking shoe, as it will help you keep your foot grip pretty well along the hike course.


Those afraid of heights may have a difficult time along this slickrock section of the trail.  But the cliff edge is plenty wide, even for when you have those coming down as others are going up to be side by side.  Like I said above, wearing a good sturdy hiking shoe will help both the experienced and inexperienced have good foot holdings even in these sections.


Keep your eyes peeled as you are on the trail, especially along the sandstone wall portions and you'll see this window arch.  It's actually easy to climb up the sandstone and stand right up underneath this arch too.


The famous arch itself isn't the only beautiful view to see from the top.  Depending on where you are standing you have vast views of all around, clear across towards the Colorado Plateau, La Sal's and even Canyonlands.


The only bad part about it, is this is a popular trail and grabbing a picture without tourists in or around the arch can be hard.  Which is why I recommend this hike in the off season.  I've done it in January and found the cooler temps a great time to visit.  However, it's a year round open park so anytime is a good time.


When you get up on top, if you like to be a dork like I do, you can have fun taking pictures as you relax and enjoy the view before you hike back down. (Ya that is me being goofy:)


Depending on where you stand, you can get some great shots of this arch.  One direction you've got the La Sal Mountain range behind it (like in the picture a few shots above.) Others, you have the beautiful sandstone cliffs.


Hiking this in the summer, it can easily go from 90-100+ degree's fast.  So even though it's only 3 miles long.  Bring plenty of water.  This is the dry desert, and there are very few if any portions of shade on this hike, depending on the time of day you climb it.


Yes, you can go up and stand on or around it and have some fun photo opportunities.  But be respectful of it, don't carve into it or leave any trace you were there behind.
(Ya that's me again posing for the camera:)

This is a beautiful hike, and like I mentioned above can be great almost any time of year.  If you visit Arches, I highly recommend you take the time to visit Delicate Arch.
I am very lucky to live in such an amazing state with so many gorgeous things for the outdoor lover in me to see and do!


Have you been to Utah's, Arches National Park before?  Did you hike Delicate Arch?  If you haven't, did you just add this to your bucket list?

24 comments :

  1. All these pictures just prove I need to get to Utah. I don't remember visiting as a kid so it's a must.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You definitely need to visit here, and see some of our National Parks or Mountains, you would love them!

      Delete
  2. You have shown so many beautiful parts of Utah. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, it really does look stunning! But that hike does appear tough in places. I've definitely got to get more hiking in this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's actually not so much tough, there is just a little climbing up the slickrock that can get ya a little out of breath if you're not used to it, but other than that, its actually not to bad at all and lots of fun!

      Delete
  4. Gorgeous pics! I'm continually amazed by these sights since they are so different to what you find in the MIdwest.

    Out of curiosity - when you do these types of hikes, do you bring a water bottle or another type of hydration system?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Oh, yes we are vastly different from the midwest. Yes, I actually carry a backpack and usually have 1-2 liters of water on me. Longer hikes I bring even more water, its too risky to get caught in the desert without enough water. But I don't usually bring bottles, I have a backback hydration system.

      Delete
  5. Wow, what beautiful pictures! Looks like you had a really fun time :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, ya it really was fun this is one of my favorite hikes I never get sick of!

      Delete
  6. It's been quite awhile since I've traveled to Utah and I always forget how beautiful it is. There's so much there that I still haven't had the chance to see so I think I need to make an excuse to get back there. As a kid, I used to go there to visit my family a lot and my favorite thing to do was to go to Lagoon! As an adult though, I think your trip is a little more up my alley now!

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Lagoon I still enjoy going there. I love watching my nieces and nephews ride the rides and of course going with them!
      I've lived in Utah my whole life and I have seen and done alot, and like you said there is so much to see, I still haven't seen it all and I look forward to it!

      Delete
  7. Utah has never been on my to-travel-to list, but you've just succeeded in getting me to add it on, haha. I'm going to try to use my weekends during my rotations to go explore! :] (The closest I can get to traveling at this point in my life! :O )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad I helped you add it! We have one of the prettiest states, and so many absolutely gorgeous National Parks, I really do hope you get a chance to visit sometime! Whether during your rotations or maybe after your finished all together:)

      Delete
  8. This looks like a fun and beautiful hike. That's some pretty serious heat though. Stunning pictures! My favorite is the window arch. Just another reason I need to visit Utah.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, yes it is beautiful! It's hot, but it's desert hot so it's not like humidity hot like from where you are from. In other words, you can hike all day in it as long as you drink plenty of water. Hope you do get to visit sometime, we have a beautiful state, lots of great National Parks!

      Delete
  9. I've seen so many bloggers post about Arches recently and I'm dying to go there! Def on my bucket list! These photos are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Yes, you must make it there! It is totally worth going so much to do and see!

      Delete
  10. Every time I read your travel posts, I tell Tom we need to plan a trip west. We also love to hike and this country has such beautiful National Parks. Finally catching up on blog reading after a crzy two weeks of nothing but wedding stuff! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Every time I read your travel posts, I tell Tom we need to plan a trip west. We also love to hike and this country has such beautiful National Parks. Finally catching up on blog reading after a crzy two weeks of nothing but wedding stuff! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are definitely lucky to live in great state with lots of great hikes! I loved that hike when we visited! Moab is just awesome with all the hikes in the area! So right on with having to wait to take a pic by the delicate arch. So many people but totally worth the wait! It's an amazing arch!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ok you have seriously convinced me that I need to take a vacation to Utah!! I NEED to see these sights!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I always hear everyone talking about skiing in Utah but this looks amazing. I do love going out west in the winter but hiking out in Aspen last year convinced me that it is even more beautiful in the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That looks so ridiculously amazing! I really need to get to Utah, so many of the things I love can be done there in the backdrop of gorgeous scenery!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog! I love my readers, feel free to share your comments and opinions!