Moab/Arches hikes

“We are going to be in Moab/Arches for a couple of days, and want to do a few easy hikes with 12 yo and 8 yo kids. Any suggestions? Thanks!”

“I hiked on the Delicate Arch viewing trail (which is NOT the Delicate Arch trail). The viewing area is easy, as I would imagine the Delicate Arch Trail is. You see the arch from afar and can see how tiny people are under it... I'm sure either trail is great.

I hiked around the Windows are. Easy.

I didn't take the Fiery Furnace hike. It's ranger-led through some crazy areas, as I understand. Since it is ranger-led, you might want to consider it, but I think you do have to sign up for it.

Also, perhaps go to Deadhorse Point State Park. Superb view! And Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands is not too far away either.”

“I was hoping to build a bonfire under delicate arch and get some dawn or dusk photos. Any chance of that? Just kidding. I remember a local photographer did that a few years ago and almost was jailed. Can one get close to delicate arch?”

“It's been a long time, but I think you can get pretty close to it.

One of my dumbest hiking experiences occurred there. I was on a solo driving trip in the area, and decided on the spur of the moment to zip down to Moab and into Arches NP. As I headed down there, I thought, hey, I'll hike out to Delicate Arch and get a nice sunset photo. Well, it took a little longer than I thought, so by the time I got to the trailhead I knew I had to hustle to get there. So after about 2-300 yards along the trail I realized I had left my camera in the car - doh! So I ran back and grabbed it and off I went. Sure enough, I got a great photo of the arch, just after sunset. Then it was time to go back to the car on this moonless night. Oops, forgot to bring a flashlight! It was very interesting knowing that there were many places along the trail to fall in and hurt oneself, yet not being able to see much of anything. I had to get down next to the ground every little bit to spot the next cairn to find the trail! Dumb!”

“Yeah, the trail actually leads right up to it and you can walk under it if you so desire. The Delicate Arch trail shouldn't be too bad this time of the year b/c it's not too hot yet, but it is some up-hill on slick rock and you have to walk along a fairly narrow ledge, so it isn't good if anyone is afraid of hikes. Check out the great petroglyphs on the way.
Other than that, many of the hikes at the park are fairly short and easy. Sand Dune Arch is a nice choice b/c you can hike it the short way (from the road) or the longer way (from the campground with Broken Arch on the way). North and South Windows along with Turret Arch and Double Arch also a good, easy choice. If you are feeling like the kids could make it, head up to Devil's Garden, where there are many wonderful arches. The whole trail is pretty long for kids, but you can turn around at any point and still see some awesome arches. That's most of the developed trails in the park.
I have only been briefly to the Needles District of Canyonlands. Well worth the trip with a few short trails, but this is mostly a serious hiking/backpacking park. I think there may be some roads out to some shorter hikes to arches, but they are only passable with 4WD and high clearance. If you go to this part of the park, be sure to stop by Newspaper Rock, which is right beside the road on the way in.
Hopefully, that's not too much, but if you want more info (such as other petroglyphs and pictographs to see, etc.), I will be happy to ramble on yet more.”

“"Afraid of hikes" I meant "Afraid of heights"”

“I stopped at Newspaper Rock. Way cool... also HIKED up Elephant Hill, just watch out for the 4WDs trying to make it up that 4WD trail. That's in the Needles section of Canyonlands. However, I'm thinking the Island in the Sky district is closer to Moab??? I have a GREAT sunset shot from the southernmost overlook in the Island in the Sky. I think there's a few short hikes there, too.

Idaho Bob, yeah, go light a fire under Delicate Arch. LOL!!”

“Delicate Arch is a good hike.

The kids should like Double Arch and Balanced Rock which are near the road.

"Park Avenue" is an intertesting sight/hike.

I took a great photo of Turret Arch framed by North Window Arch. Look for that view, it makes an awesome photo.

Deadhorse State Park is also a good recommendation.”

“Yeah, Island in the Sky is closer. It's probably a 30 or so mile drive to that visitor's center from Moab and a 75 or so mile drive for the Needles visitor center. Has anyone been to Island in the Sky? Any recommendations? I would also love to do a Canyonlands backpack in the Maze this summer or fall. Anyone been there?”

“I took my daughter to Arches many years ago when she was 8. I was pretty inexperienced. I posed her in front of an interesting pile of rocks for a photo, then on we went, never finding what we were looking for. Turns out the pile of rocks was the cairn and I never realized it and so missed the turn!”

“

Turret Arch viewed thru North Window Arch.”

“

Delicate Arch (backside)”

“I see nothing...”

“Looks good from here. Maybe your computer is slow loading it.

This is the same picture, try here:

http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/t89k1k.php
last edited: 4/29/06 4:49:38 PM”

“Thank you USA. Lovely”

“Then again, Tango is a Steeler fan which explains why you don't "see" things.”

“I see lots of things, like an interception that was ruled against. (Not that we're still crying, we just took the next snap and won the game.)

BTW, I looked at the rest of the pics. Loved them.
last edited: 4/29/06 5:10:39 PM”

“I was fortnate enough to make that short hike about a month ago. Thanks for the photo.”

“How do you add a picture? I have yet to do so and last time I tried, it didn't work. I have some contributions to Moab/ Arches ;)
last edited: 4/30/06 5:26:53 PM”

“very good shot USA...
Shadow placed nicely. You did some research for that one, eh!

Or perhaps you were not the photographer?
last edited: 4/30/06 6:57:03 PM”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/8vl28wvck8qf1.php

Similar shot. No research there goat, just blind luck.

Enough with the charges already, all the pictures in my photo albums are are my pictures. And one of these days I'm going to find a way to make some money from them. National Geographic just isn't calling.

robertr, to post a picture you have to upload your photo to a site such as photobucket.com, then copy and paste the tag here.”