2015-04-01 Eye of the Whale & Tower Arch Trail

Last night at the Jeep Safari BBQ we met an nice couple, Anton & Loro from Santa Clara, CA.  During dinner we discussed the trails we had been on and decided to meet the next day for the Tower Arch Trail in Arches. They had driven it in the past and offered to help guide us through the tough parts.

We made it to Eye of the Whale Arch after a few obstacles.  There is a small arch on the right that makes this rock formation look like a huge whale.  

(Please note - in Moab almost all arches and rock formations have names.)

Things got a little hairy after that - lots of rock climbs, ledges, deep sand, washes, etc.

They don't look like much from afar -

but as you get closer...

Here are our new friends Anton & Loro

Yes, we are about to drive over this slickrock hill - sometimes you have to walk them first to see where the drop-offs are on the other side.

The uphill deep sand drives weren't the easiest.

The scenery however was beautiful.

After 11 miles we reached Tower Arch.

and this smaller arch

and these cool fins.

The drive back out was less nerve racking seeing we knew what to expect - still not easy, but less white knuckles on my part.

Sometimes you get a little tipsy on the drive

and then you get more tipsy at dinner celebrating the great day.

Thanks, Anton & Loro, for an amazing day!!