Before I left for the USA, I got one serious recommendation. Whatever I did, I should go to Arches National Park in Utah. And for once, I did what I was told.
And it has definitely been one of the best things I’ve done on the trip.
I wandered in on Monday afternoon and drove up to Devil’s Garden. There I did a 11km hike around some of the impressive geological formations.
First stop was Landscape Arch, a precarious piece of stonework that looks ready to collapse.
Then on to Navajo and Partition Arches, with stunning views across the desert landscape.
The trail headed towards the aptly named Double O Arch, but not before I had some serious vertigo moments crossing ledges of rock with drops either side of the trail.
I headed back to the car via “Primitive Trail”, seeing the weird fin formation rocks that litter this park.
Sunset brought its own wonderful moments, the redness of the rocks being emboldened by the light.
Someone recommended hiking up a mile to Delicate Arch to watch sunset, but unfortunately I was too late to make it. Instead I watched the sun go down from the carpark, still an incredible scene across the Utah desert that makes the trip to Utah worthwhile.
I’m lucky enough to have Aches just 2 hours away from home…it’s a beautiful place. Reading about your running, have you tried the Hard Rock 100 yet? That’s a good brutal one right here in my neighborhood. Glad you are getting to see this beautiful part of the country.
Hi Alisa, Lucky you living so close to Arches 🙂 Not raced in the US unfortunately. I’ve read the stories though about Hard Rock 100 and I think that’s enough for me at the minute … tough race by all accounts!