Delicate Arch

Figure 1. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park.

I made a short trip to Arches National Park in early April. The last time I was there before this trip is in 2010. There are too many places to visit. It's good to return to Arches and refresh my memory here.

One reason I pick this time is the La Sal Mountains. Although not in the park, the snow capped mountain provide a good backdrop from arches and other rock formation. I wish there is more snow on the mountain top, but it still works for me. Another reason is to avoid the crowd in summer, which proves to be wrong. I am in the middle of spring break crowd. It is just as crowded as in summer.

Delicate Arch is probably the number one arch everyone wants to see in the park. It's a 3 mile round trip hike. Park considers it strenuous if hiking in summer as there is no shade along the trail. When I was there, it hit only low 70's in the afternoon. So it's kind of good time to hike this trail, though the wind made it a little chilly.

The view is as spectacular as before. Just like before, there were too many people near the arch taking pictures. It took me 30 minutes to get a chance for a clean shot. It's still about 2 hours before sunset, but I decide to go back. The shot works for me, but I'd like to pick another time here fora quieter moment.