Tuesday, June 26, 2007

DESERT DELIGHT


6/25: Delicate Arch is the most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park (Moab, UT) and is depicted on both Utah license plates and a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996. The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch. Initially our three-mile hike sounded manageable, that was until one factored in the steep mountain grade, blistering heat in the 90s, and the lugging of two under-aged kids. Nonetheless, we persevered and survived (barely) to soak in some of the wildest and most breathtaking rock formations we’ve ever seen. Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches made primarily from unique Entrada sandstone but also some from Navajo sandstone. The national park lies atop an underground salt bed, which is the main cause of the formation of the arches and spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths that were created millions of years ago and continue to transform today. Water, frost, and wind have carved these enormous but graceful arches, windows, spires, and pinnacles. The park was a lot larger than I expected (~119 square miles in size) as it took us a good 45 minutes not including our two and half hour hike. Mission accomplished, next stop Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1 comment:

Poppa and Grandma said...

Brings back memories of our trek to Moab, years ago.