Arches National Park: Does it Rain in Utah?

Windows Section viewed from Double Arch

After a night of gluttony (I really should ban myself from buffets as I lack any form of self control when it comes to containing myself. This night was particularly gluttonous as I almost had to have Nic drive home as I couldn't sit upright), a day of admin, and a night of anguish (Cavs lost in OT in Game 1), we farewelled Salt Lake City (didn't really see much of the city but we were only there to get a shower and a bed to sleep in) we made our way to Arches N.P.

After being informed that the only campground in the park was already full (we did half expect this) we made our way out to one of the BLM Campgrounds (just outside the park boundaries) and made a careful selection of our camp site. Nestled in amongst the rock walls to give us some shelter from the ridge winds, and underneath the only tree in the area we thought we had a winner… how wrong we were.

But I’ll get to that later.

With the site set up we headed back into the park and completed the Devils Garden loop hike. The loop takes you past the majority of the park's arches where you can get as up close and personal with the formations as you need. But you can't satisfy everyone. Despite the numerous warning, or pleading, signs requesting you to stay on the path, the number of f_ckwits (yes that's what we'll call them) that ignore the signs is staggering. I often feel like giving them some worldly advice but we usually just shake our heads in disbelief and move on.

Landscape and Partition Arch

Devils Garden has 8 arches but the picks of the bunch for us were Landscape Arch (many of you have probably seen pictures of this one), my personal favourite Partition Arch (where you could actually stand in the window) and the Double O Arch, which all make the 7-8 mile loop well worthwhile.

Partition Arch

Beating the rain back to the car we headed back to the main road, risking quick stops and even quicker photos of Skyline and Sand Dune Arches before I decided to brave the rains and jog out to Broken Arch. Not one of my brighter moves, but a little water never hurt anyone (I wasn't saying this in a few hours time mind you).

Skyline Arch

We caught a break in the rain and were able to enjoy the Fiery Furnace, albeit not quite as fiery as it would usually be (it is named after the afternoon sun which appears to light up the tops of the rock formations). We would have liked to have hiked down into the Furnace but it is only accessible via a ranger led tour and they, like the campgrounds, had all booked out for the duration of our stay. Still viewing it from afar is a pretty decent consolation prize.

Fiery Furnace

With sunset fast approaching we made our way back to camp and headed for an early night. Well that's when it all went pear-shaped. Usually if it looks like a rainy night, we pack the tent with items from the car that can afford to get a little wet and lay the back seats of Rodge down and enjoy a dry night in the car. Well somebody (me) made the grand prediction that it looked like a good night so we bunked down in old Bluey (our tent) and caught a few hours sleep, before being rudely awoken by our air-mattress turned water bed.

Our carefully chosen campsite

That sweet spot we had so carefully chosen wasn't so sweet after all. The rock walls we thought would protect us from the wind, just channeled all the water into our campsite, and that tree that was supposed to provide us with some shelter was in a slight hollow that seemed to just collect the run off from the rock walls.

What we got was a flooded tent and a floating mattress.

We lasted the night out in the front seats of Rodge, me wrapped around the steering wheel like the contortionist I'm not and Nic hugging pretty much every backpack we own… all to stay somewhat dry!

After a late start we headed back into the park where we received an initial shock from an information board stating that the Delicate Arch (the most prolific and spectacular arch within the park) viewpoint was closed due to flooding. Our minds were put at ease after a quick chat with one of the rangers who pointed out that the road was closed but the trail was still open.

Delicate Arch

What this meant was that all those 'tourists' who had hoped to see Delicate Arch from the luxury of their RVs and tour buses actually had to hike to the arch. What this also meant was that you had a variety of under-prepared and ill-equipped cadets on the trail. Not that we ever really look the part of the hiker, in fact we often get some disapproving looks from the serious hiker all decked out in their Kathmandu finest, but we at least wear shoes (well most of the time) and we always have water, and being Liam's brother, there's no shortage of schnacks.

The hike isn't too bad, about an hour of walking up hill, but Delicate Arch definitely makes up for it at the top. They say it's not the biggest arch, nor the tallest, or widest spanning, but it would go close to the most photographed arch in the world, and if you haven't already seen a picture of it somewhere along your travels, let me help you out.

Delicate Arch

Leaving the masses at Delicate Arch, we joined the rest of them at the Windows section, where Double Arch would actually be my favourite of the park. It's actually two arches and one 'pothole' arch that all combine to make one of the most spectacular formations I have seen to date.

Double Arch

The rest of the Windows section is also a must do, even if it's just to watch the 'tourists' in action. The must have photo of the section captures both North and South Window, and you have to pick your moments to get a clear shot.

North & South Windows

A quick lap around Balancing Rock, which sadly will tumble one of these days, and a stroll trough Park Avenue rounded out Arches for us. A place we had expected a lot from, and got a lot out of. Given it's on the number plates of Utah, you'd expect it to be worth the trip.

Balancing Rock