3/22 (Tuesday) – Relatively easy
day today. Drove through Arches National
Park to Devils Garden to hike to Landscape Arch (one of my favorites). The plan was to hike up past Double O Arch
and around the back side on Primitive Trail.
The hike used to be much easier 10 years ago when we first did it. There was a path along the base of the canyon
to another arch (Wall Arch) that was much easier. It collapsed back in 2008 making
the trail impassable. Now you have to
climb up the side of a fin (slickrock with steep sides). I did this back in
2010 but today a fear of heights, my knee, and strong winds contributed to my
unwillingness to try this today. Still
got some nice pics.
Driving through an area called the
Courthouse.
Fiery Furnace – slickrock fins
Landscape Arch
The fin that stopped me – this was
taken about 3/4 of the way. I made it to
the base of the rock where you see the guy standing and said “No More!”. Rock climbing with a bad knee - not a good idea. The split on the right was a very deep crevice.
We did that primitive hike a few years...counterclockwise. Never again!
ReplyDeleteLove everything about Arches...its a "wow" around every turn no matter how many times we have driven thru there!