Trip Date: November 10, 2020

2020 CALIFORNIA & UTAH ADVENTURE VACATION

Delicate Arch Sunset Hike

Salt Wash
Delicate Arch

Trip Report Summary

Region: Utah

Sub-Region: Southeastern Utah

Area: Arches National Park

Starting & Ending Point: Delicate Arch Trailhead on Delicate Arch Road (Elev. 4300 feet)

Way Points: Turnbow Cabin & Salt Wash Bridge & Delicate Arch amphitheater & Delicate Arch (trail hike & off-trail hike)

High Point: Delicate Arch amphitheater (Elev. 4880 feet)

Approximate Stats: 3 miles traveled; 650 feet gained & lost; 0.7 hours up; 0.7 hours down.

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Full Trip Report

Utah is the proud home of no less than five national parks, each containing an uncountable number of geological marvels.  Against such tremendous competition, one natural feature stands above all others to serve as an icon for the entire state:  Delicate Arch.  This fabulous sandstone crescent appears on license plates, in tourism ads, on postage stamps, on commercial signs, and many other places.  The Olympic torch was carried under the arch in 2002, and the crown of the arch became the crime scene for a scandalous rock climb in 2006.  Needless to say, Eileen and Brooke and I had to make a visit during our Utah vacation.

With a plan of seeing Delicate Arch at sunset, we set out from the trailhead in late afternoon.  The well-trodden trail starts by crossing Salt Wash on a long steel bridge and then traversing above Winter Camp Wash on single-track.  In about ¾ mile, the trail spills onto a large expanse of gently inclined sandstone.  Looking up at the numerous groups of people ascending and descending the slabby rock, I realized that this is not so much a hike as it is a pilgrimage.

Above the slabby rock, the route climbs onto a natural sidewalk-like ledge and curves behind a sandstone rib.  Then, in a most unexpected and dramatic fashion, the ledge delivered us to the top of a grand sandstone amphitheater.  We came to a sudden halt.  On the far side of the amphitheater, there it was:  Delicate Arch.

We spent an hour wandering around the amphitheater, passing underneath the arch, and watching the sandstone turn to gold.  All of the onlookers seemed to appreciate the reverence of watching sunset at this location.

Shortly after sundown, the amphitheater emptied out and we all made a twilight exodus back to the trailhead.  I left with a greater understanding of the arch’s iconic status.

Photo Gallery

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