From Yellowstone we drove back to Salt lake City stayed one night and headed down south to Arches National Park the next early morning. It's about 5 hours drive. Driving in Utah omg it's so straight the road but thank god the speed limit (80) which is much higher then in NY!!! if not I'll go crazy or well I'll probably doze off. Anyway the scenery on the way was pretty different from our trip up north to Yellowstone which is much greener. Utah is pretty much a desert so, it's pretty dry and sandy but it's pretty in it's own way
the scenery as we approached Arches National Park, it's really different, like in a complete different world and the color is so rich Tan shades
it does reminds me of a movie "The Martian", scene of Mars, minus the plants, right???
I was surprise that there was no line here to take photo with the sign. i guess this national park is less popular with tourist??
after a long drive it's nice to stretch a little and soak up the breath taking view
Entrance Fee is $25/ private vehicle previously it was only $10, they just increase it not too long ago.
Which i personally think was necessary, the National Park in USA is really well maintain and the rangers are really informative and they do a great job!! Hopefully this small contribution will help to maintain all the national parks so that our future generation get to see them too
there is a visitor center right after the entrance fee, it's always nice to pay a visit to get advice from the ranger about the Do's and Dont's. We only had 1 day for Arches so then ranger suggested few interesting points for the time we had
1st stop the Park Avenue, it's amazingly beautiful. it feels like we were in Indiana Jones movie
there are many trails in Arches National Park but unfortunately time that we have none, maybe next time
don't this layers of rock looks like shark fin?
panorama view, i was at awe
viewing area, 360 degrees of amazing scenery
shot from the car, Towel of Babel and The Organ,
don't ask me, i don't know who came up with the names
if i were the one giving the name i would call this Siamese Sponge bob ><
I'm struggling to think of what this one looks like.... I'll just call it The Rock
believe it of not this is called Three Gossips, well it does look like a group of people gossiping
Elephant Butte, this is the real name
i don't care what this is called I'm going to name it Snoopy
Boon with Snoopy
Balanced Rock is one of the star here
i do not want to stand near to the rock when there is strong wind...hehe
I've never seen anything like it
this does look a little like pen!s
next, The Windows
view from The Window
under the arch
it's the only place with shade and it's really nice and windy
it's late august and it's really hot in Utah
it's really nice to sit under the arch
luckily i brought a scarf for some protection from the deadly sun
just beside the Window, is another attraction, Double Arch
it's huge, well everything here is big
amazing amazing place..... my mouth was open the whole time....can't seem to shut it....feel like a kid in a candy shop
the color is Tan almost golden bronze
looking down from the Double Arch
so this how ants feels like
there aren't any path up, it's rather steep so we didn't climb up too high
side view
next, Sand Dune
it looks like rock waves
mini arch
it was really orange in there when the light hits the rock
does look a little like mars
further up the road is Devil's Garden, there a few attractions here, Tunnel Arch(the nearest), Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Double O' Arch, Private Arch and the Dark Angel(the longest trail)
the trail doesn't have much shade, only some small tress for rest for a while.... water is really crucial here
wild rabbit
out 1st stop Pine Tree Arch
takes a good 20 minutes
finally shade, always remember to drink water and keep hydrate
and walking
and walking
and walking
more walking
after walking for what seem like more then 30 minutes we finally reach Landscape Arch
this arch is thinner....i wonder how long it will last?
look like snake?
headed back.... we didn't walk till Dark Angel Arch
maybe next time....we were too tired and too thirsty to go all the way
to our last destination of the day
Delicate Arch, Utah's Icon
there are 2 very different trails to see the Delicate Arch,
one which is the Delicate Arch trail, it's a 3 miles long trail, which leads to the Delicate Arch and another one with is a shorter trail(1.2mi) to a viewing are of Delicate Arch
and we decided to go with the shorter trail of cause....i am not doing a 3 miles long trail in this weather with no shade
the shorter trail is not really easy too....it's a up hill trail all the way
it's a up hill trail all the way
finally after what seem like and endless flag of stairs we made it.....i don't remember how long but we made it!!
Delicate Arch
it's not actually very near but i can zoom in for a nice picture, well unless u use a digital camera u might need to consider the 3 miles trail...hahaa
the upper viewing area
this rock looks like the surface of the moon
going down....it much easier but if u have a bad knee like me and you have been walking alot for the pass few days, it's painful!!!
see even the Delicate Arch in on the car plate for Utah state, it's a must see!!!!
Arches is quite unique National Park, The scenery is one of a kind. Totaly different from Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. It totally worth checking out! It's always wise not to rush to see everything in just one visit, take the time and select few attractions that you are interested and focus on that and just enjoy the beauty!
After a tiring day, we then checked in to the nearest town with is Moab about 5 miles....very near. It's a small town but it has everything you need, hotels, restaurants, cafe, little cute souvenir shops
Hotel here are cheaper compare to Grand Teton and Yellowstone as for food it's average price
Next day we will explore another National Park near by about 30-40 minutes drive, Canyonlands National Parks. Till then
~ good night ~
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