Arches NP1.pdf

Visitor Guide

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Arches National Park

2010, No. 3

Rethinking Wall Arch

by ROb lOREnz

SOmEtimES i’m cOnSiDERED bAD luck.

things have a tendency to fall

wherever i work. in Sacramento,

storms toppled trees in my agency’s

back yard more than once. When i

delivered pizza in college, a large iron

parking gate inexplicably crashed

to the ground within inches of my

car. later, i began my national Park

Service career at carlsbad caverns,

where a once in a lifetime rock slide

occurred shortly before my arrival.

So when i drove into moab on

August 5, 2008 to start my new job at

Arches, people who knew me were

not surprised when they heard that

an arch had collapsed that exact same

morning.

considering. beyond the sadness or

sense of loss that the collapse might

evoke, there is a realization that

something will eventually ill the void

where the arch once stood. Simply

put, another answer to the question

“Why?” is, “So nature can make room

for something else.”

Wall Arch (before)

consider this: Arches national Park

contains a lot of rocks. the area is a

virtual layer cake of rock miles thick, a

celebration of sandstones, mudstones,

shales, salts, and limestones all

stacked one upon another. Each layer

represents a diferent environment

that existed here in the past. A band of

limestone might indicate the presence

of an inland sea complete with colorful

reefs. A section of sandstone tells

the story of wind-blown dunes from

a time that was even drier than it is

today. A layer of shale contains the

relics of a swampy river loodplain

ruled by dinosaurs and giant trees.

taken together, these layers reveal

a picture of a Planet Earth that is

forever changing on a time scale

beyond human comprehension. As

1776. And, most notably, it was still

there on August 4 when everybody

went to bed.

relentlessly ate away at the natural

calcium “cement” holding the arch’s

sand grains together. Eventually

there wasn’t enough of this cement

left to withstand the pull of gravity,

and so the whole structure inally

came crashing down. it’s a bit like

sucking on a mint or a candy cane: it

slowly dissolves in your mouth but will

usually break up into pieces before it’s

completely gone.

Everyone else, however, was pretty

shocked. After all, Wall Arch had

spanned a 71-foot gap in the rock

since time immemorial. it was

already curving gracefully when the

Egyptian pyramids were still under

construction. it stood deiantly

while the mighty Roman Empire was

collapsing an ocean away. it was still

holding strong when the Declaration

of independence was being signed in

So when the remains of the ancient

arch were found resting peacefully on

the Devils Garden hiking trail the next

morning, it came as no surprise that

the main question surrounding the

collapse was “Why?”

One answer is fairly straightforward.

Erosion and gravity reign supreme

over sandstone. For countless eons,

rain, ice, and groundwater slowly but

Whatever the immediate cause,

though, there is also a more hidden

dimension to the incident worth

story continues on page 3...

Visitor Center

Hours of operation

Arches is open every day of the year, 24

hours a day. The visitor center is open daily

(except December 25) during the following

hours:

Spring through october 2010

7:30 a . m . to 6:30 p . m .

November 2010 through Spring 2011

8:00 a . m . to 4:30 p . m .

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

General information

Arches Visitor Guide

CAmPING

Devils Garden campground has 50 sites

and is located 18 miles from the park

entrance. the campground fills daily

between march and October. tables and

fire rings are provided in each site. Water

and flush toilets are available in several

locations.

bACkPACkING

Arches is a relatively small park, with very

few areas far enough from roads to qualify

as “backcountry.” Outside the developed

visitor area there are no designated trails,

campsites, or reliable water sources. if you’d

like to backpack, consider nearby places like

canyonlands national Park that ofer more

extensive backcountry opportunities. if

you’d like to backpack, obtain a backcountry

permit at the visitor center.

trAVelING WItH PetS

Activities with pets are limited at Arches. Pets

are not allowed on hiking trails, at overlooks

or anywhere in the backcountry. Pets may

accompany visitors in the developed camp-

ground, and may be walked in the park along

paved roads. Pets must be leashed at all times

when outside a vehicle. For your pets’ safety,

do not leave them in vehicles when outside

temperatures are above 65F: they can die

of heat exhaustion. there are three kennels

with boarding services in moab:

Published by

Canyonlands Natural History Association,

a not-for-proit organization that assists

the National Park Service in its educational,

interpretive and scientiic programs. For more

information, see the back page.

individual sites are $20 per night.

Wood gathering and ground fires are

prohibited. Wood may be purchased

from campground hosts march through

October. two group tent sites are available

for eleven people or more: Juniper basin

(up to 55 people) and canyon Wren (up

to 35 people). the group camping fee is $3

per person per night, with a $33 per night

minimum. no recreational vehicles or

trailers are permitted in group sites.

editor

Sierra Coon

karen’s canine campground

2781 S. Roberts Rd.

(435) 259-7922

Park mailing Address

Arches National Park

PO Box 907

Moab, UT 84532

moab Veterinary clinic

4575 Spanish Valley Drive

(435) 259-8710

Phone

(435) 719-2299 (voice)

archinfo@nps.gov

reSerVAtIoNS

All campsites at Devils Garden may be

reserved for dates between march 1st and

October 31st. Reservations must be made

at least four days and no more than 180

days in advance.

Desert Doggie Daycare

4890 Sunny Acres lane

(435) 259-4841

Website

www.nps.gov/arch

nearby, there are vast public lands that ofer

great hiking and do allow pets on trails.

We recommend that you keep your pet

on a leash, even on public lands, to avoid

uncomfortable encounters with wildlife and

to prevent resource damage.

The National Park Service cares for the special

places saved by the American people so that

all may experience our heritage.

to make a reservation online, visit www.

recreation.gov. to make a reservation by

phone, call (877)444-6777 (toll Free),

(877)833-6777 (tDD) or (518)885-3639

(international).

rANGer-GUIDeD ACtIVItIeS

Each day from mid-march through October,

park staf are located throughout the park to

help visitors understand the unique elements

of Arches national Park. During summer

months special family activities take place.

check at the visitor center for speciic loca-

tions and times. Staf are always available

during Visitor center hours to help inquiring

minds get the most out of their visit.

biking along the scenic drive.

emerGeNCy!

Any number of emergencies can occur while

you are visiting the park: hiking accidents,

medical emergencies or perhaps you have

locked your keys in your vehicle. if you have

an emergency:

ACCeSSIbIlIty

not all park facilities meet mandated

standards, but we’re always trying

to increase accessibility. We would

appreciate your comments. Visitors with

mobility impairments can access:

SHAre tHe roAD

Park roads are narrow and winding. Do

not stop in the roadway—save sightseeing

for designated viewpoints. Watch for

pedestrians and bicycles. Ensure a minimum

distance of three feet (one meter) when

passing.

•Contactaparkemployee . many park

rangers are trained emergency medical

technicians. law enforcement rangers can

investigate vehicle accidents, handle other

police matters, as well as take reports of

lost hikers, ires, or other emergencies.

Visitor Center

Ramp and reserved parking.

bikes are permitted only on roads, not on

hiking trails or of-road. Ride single ile, and

be attentive to passing cars and recreational

vehicles that may not be aware of cyclists.

On the paved road, there are no road

shoulders or bike lanes. many dirt roads

here are sandy, washboarded or gravel:

however, the Willow Springs road ofers an

enjoyable two to three-hour ride. the most

popular biking trails in the moab area are on

bureau of land management (blm) land

outside of the park.

FieryFurnaceWalks

From mid-march through October, rangers

lead walks into the Fiery Furnace twice each

day. these 2½ to 3 hour hikes wind through

terrain that occasionally requires the use of

hands and feet to scramble up and through

narrow cracks and along narrow ledges

above drop-ofs. Due to their popularity,

these hikes often ill several days in advance.

Reservations can be made online at www.

recreation.gov for guided hikes through

October 30, 2010, but must be made more

than four days before the date of the hike.

tickets may also be purchased in person at

the visitor center, but only up to seven days

in advance of the hike. Space on the walks is

limited and groups of more than 15 people

should split up and go on separate walks or

request a special tour.

Restrooms

throughout the park including the visitor

center and Devils Garden.

•Gotothevisitorcenter : if the building is

closed, use the pay phones in front of the

building to dial 911 (no coin is needed).

Campsite

Devils Garden site #4H.

Park Avenue Viewpoint

Paved path with slight decline near end.

•Dial911onyourcellularphone : you will

reach the Grand county Sherif’s Oice,

who will contact a ranger in the park.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint

Hard surface, level.

Balanced Rock Viewpoint

Paved surface, level.

ClImbING & CANyoNeerING

most technical climbing and canyoneering

routes require advanced skills. Please plan

accordingly and be prepared for self rescue.

it is your responsibility to know and follow

all current climbing and canyoneering

regulations and closures. climbing of any

type is not permitted on certain prominent

features and arches. Slacklining/Highlining is

also prohibited. All individuals should access

routes by using designated trails, slickrock

or sandy washes to protect soil crusts.

canyonlands natural History Association

carries several books with route information.

foUr-WHeel DrIVe roUteS

Arches has a limited number of four-wheel

drive roads, including the Willow Springs

Road that goes west from balanced Rock

to Highway 191. Please check at the visitor

center for current road conditions. the

bureau of land management (blm) has

many popular 4WD routes ofering a wide-

range of diiculty.

Interpretive walk

enjoying sunset at Delicate Arch.

2 Arches Visitor Guide

Where does my money go?

in 2004, cOnGRESS PASSED tHE FEDERAl lAnDS

Recreation Enhancement Act (FlREA),

which replaced the Recreational Fee

Demonstration Program. Authorized through

December 2014, the law allows retention

of 80% of fees collected at a site to remain

there for repair, maintenance, and facility

enhancement related directly to visitor

enjoyment, visitor access and health and

safety. it also includes interpretation, visitor

information, visitor service, visitor needs

assessments, and signs; habitat restoration

directly related to wildlife-dependent

recreation that is limited to hunting, ishing

(where permitted), wildlife observation or

photography; and law enforcement related to

public use and recreation.

and $5 for bicyclists, those walking, or on

motorcycles. the following special passes are

now available:

and other special user fees. Previously-issued

Golden Access Passes will be honored for-

ever by all agencies.

InteragencyAnnualPass($80)

Previously the Golden Eagle/National Park Pass

Good for twelve months; available to anyone.

Free entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service

Refuges and national Park Service areas that

charge entrance fees. covers use of bureau of

land management , bureau of Reclamation,

and Forest Service sites that charge Standard

Entrance Fees.

Passforlocalareas:Arches,Canyonlands,

HovenweepandNaturalBridges($25)

Good for twelve months; available to anyone;

entrance to these four areas only.

Hey kids —

this one’s for you!

Do you want to really explore Arches

and even help protect the park? Then

become a Junior Ranger! Becoming a

Junior Ranger is a serious and impor-

tant task, but it’s lots of fun too. Ask

at the visitor center how you can get

involved. Some

options include:

completing a

booklet, check-

ing-out a Red

Rock Explorer

Pack and/or at-

tending some

summer family

activities. It’s

that simple!

You’ll earn a

badge and certiicate,

and join the ranks of the

many Junior Rangers that help protect

this special place.

this new revenue funded the following

improvements at Arches:

• Rehabilitatingparktrails

• Upgradingroadsiderestrooms

• RehabilitatingtheDevilsGardenpicnicarea

• Enhancingtrailheadsandscenicpullouts

InteragencySeniorPass($10)

Previously the Golden Age Pass

lifetime pass for u.S. citizens sixty-two years

of age and older; entrance to all federal fee

areas plus 50 percent discount on camping,

activity fees, and other special user fees.

Previously-issued Golden Age Passes will be

honored forever by all agencies.

ACtIVIty feeS

Fees charged for the popular ranger-guided

Fiery Furnace walks will go directly to

supporting the program. the cost is $10 for

adults; $5 for children six to twelve years old

and Senior Pass/Golden Age card holders.

Reservations are required and may be made

at the visitor center.

congress is interested in your comments

regarding the Federal lands Recreation

Enhancement Act. Forms are available at the

Arches Visitor center.

InteragencyAccessPass(Free)

Previously the Golden Access Pass

lifetime pass for permanently disabled u.S.

citizens; entrance to all federal fee areas plus

50 percent discount on camping, activity fees,

eNtrANCe feeS

the entrance fees at Arches national Park

are $10 per vehicle for a seven-day pass,

Photo Suggestions

Take home great photos of your Arches

experience. Below are some tips for where

you might capture that magic moment at

both sunrise and sunset.

early morning

late Afternoon

Moab Fault

Park Avenue

The Three Gossips

Courthouse Towers

trails in the Windows Section (above left) and the Devils Garden Picnic Area (above right) are just two locations

which have received needed attention in recent years.

the fee visitors pay for fiery furnace Walks directly

supports this program.

Sheep Rock

Petriied Dunes

The Great Wall

Balanced Rock

Turret Arch

The Garden of Eden

Rethinking Wall Arch, continued...

The Spectacles

The Windows

Double Arch

Delicate Arch

awesome as these previous worlds

may have been, nature is the ultimate

Etch-A-Sketch, periodically wiping

away its old artistry in favor of new

masterpieces just as astounding.

Cache Valley

Fiery Furnace

Wolfe Ranch

Skyline Arch

Landscape Arch

Fins in Devils Garden

Double O Arch

Tower Arch

Delicate Arch

Viewpoint

looking around at the park’s current

array of arches, ins, and spires, it can

be easy to forget that this spectacular

scenery is not an end. it is a step on

the way to future worlds beyond our

wildest imaginings. Will this region

someday return to sea level and again

be covered by water? Will volcanic

activity ever renew the area with ire

and lava? Or will there be new sets

of mountains, forests, waterfalls,

canyons, and deserts? What kinds

of bizarre creatures and ecosystems

might arise?

Wall Arch (after)

Wall Arch reminds us that, for these

questions to be answered, for future

wonders to unfold, the park as we

know it today has to crumble away

irst. though shrouded in memory

and mystery, the arch’s fate stands

as an invitation to relect upon the

eternal cycle of birth and death that

characterizes not only our planet, but

our entire universe.

Courthouse towers

Arches Visitor Guide 3

Hiking trails

SkylineArch

Start: Skyline Arch parking area

Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip

Time: 10 to 20 minutes

A short hike on a lat, well-deined

trail. On a cold november night in 1940, a

large chunk fell out of the arch, instantly

doubling the size of its opening.

be Safe

Landscape Arch

Start: Devils Garden trail head

Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round trip

Time: 30 to 60 minutes

A relatively lat, gravel-surfaced trail (usu-

ally heavily populated with hikers) leads to

a spectacular ribbon of rock, whose span is

more than a football ield in length. Short

side trips to tunnel and Pine tree Arches.

trail guide available at trailhead.

Each year, park rangers respond to dozens of

search or rescue incidents in the park, many

of which involve heat exhaustion and/or

dehydration or improper footwear. Always

carry (and drink) water! Even the shortest

stroll will make you thirsty on a 100°F (38°C)

day. One gallon (4 liters) per person per day

is recommended for longer hikes. Water is

available only at the visitor center and at

Devils Garden.

balanced rock

eASy trAIlS

Balanced Rock

Start: balanced Rock parking area

Length: 0.3 mile (0.5 km) round trip

Time: 15 to 30 minutes

A loop trail at the base of fragile, picturesque

rock formation.

Delicate Arch

•Wearsturdyshoeswithenoughtreadto

give you good traction. Do not hike in

leather-soled shoes or boots. Some trails

cover uneven terrain and follow rock

ledges.

TheWindows

Start: Windows parking area

Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip

Time: 30 to 60 minutes

A gentle climb up a gravel loop trail leads to

three massive arches (north and South Win-

dows and turret Arch). An alternate return,

slightly longer, is by way of the primitive loop

around the back of the two Windows. the

primitive loop trail starts at the South Win-

dow viewpoint.

Delicate Arch

Start: Wolfe Ranch parking area

Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip

Time: 2 to 3 hours

Elevation change: 480 feet (146 m)

take at least 2 quarts (2 liters) of water per

person! Open slickrock with some exposure

to heights and no shade. the irst half-mile

is a well-deined trail. upon reaching the

slickrock, follow the rock cairns. the trail

climbs gradually and levels out toward the

top of this rock face. Just before you get to

Delicate Arch, the trail traverses a rock ledge

for about 200 yards (183 m).

•Protectyourskinwithahat,long-sleeved

shirt, and sunscreen. There is little shade in

the desert. The sun is intense year round

and can easily burn your skin, especially in

the summer.

Park Avenue

moDerAte trAIlS

•Slickrockinvitesadventure.Whenyou

climb or scramble, be sure you can

retrace your steps, and remember that it

is often easier to go up than down.

Park Avenue

Start: Park Avenue parking area

End: courthouse towers parking area

Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) one way

Time: 30 to 60 minutes

Elevation change: 320 feet (98 meters)

From Park Avenue parking area, the trail de-

scends steeply into a spectacular canyon and

continues down the wash to courthouse tow-

ers. if you have a shuttle driver, you can begin

at one point and be picked up at the other. For

round-trip hiking, retrace your steps along the

trail rather than walk along the park road.

Double Arch

Start: Double Arch parking area

Length: 0.8 mile (1.2 km) round trip

Time: 15 to 30 minutes

A relatively lat, sandy trail leads to the base

of two giant arch spans which are joined at

one end.

•Suddenthunderstormswithdeadly

lightning do occur here. The distance of

lightning can be calculated by counting

the time interval between a lightning lash

and the subsequent thunderclap. Sound

travels about a mile in ive seconds, so

if the interval is ifteen seconds (or three

miles) or less, you should seek shelter

immediately. One of the safest places

to be during a thunderstorm is in your

vehicle with the windows completely

closed. If you are unable to reach your

vehicle, go to a low-lying area. Stay away

from open areas, high spots or tall objects

(such as Delicate Arch), and solitary trees.

If your skin tingles or your hair stands on

end (signs that a charge is building up),

crouch down and place both feet together

irmly on the ground.

DevilsGarden(includesprimitiveloop)

Start: Devils Garden trailhead

Length: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip, in-

cluding all spur trails to points of interest

Time: 3 to 5 hours

longest of the maintained trails in the park,

Devils Garden trail leads to eight awe-

inspiring arches. Expect narrow ledges with

rocky surface hiking and scrambling on slick-

rock. Not recommended when rock is wet

or snowy . trail guide available at trailhead.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint

Start: Delicate Arch Viewpoint trailhead

Length: 100 yards (91 meters) round trip

Time: 10 to 15 minutes

in addition to the short accessible trail,

another (moderately strenuous) hiking trail

climbs 0.5 mile (0.8 km) toward Delicate Arch

and ends at the rim of a steep canyon that

separates the viewpoint from the arch. this is

not the popular trail to Delicate Arch, which

starts at the Wolfe Ranch parking area.

Double O Arch

Start: Devils Garden trailhead

Length: 4.2 miles (6.8 km) round trip

Time: 2 to 3 hours

beyond landscape Arch, the trail becomes

more challenging as it climbs over sandstone

slabs; footing is rocky; there are narrow

ledges with exposure to heights. Spur trails

lead to Partition and navajo Arches. Dark

Angel is one-half mile (0.8 km) farther. trail

guide available at trailhead.

SandDuneArch

Start: Sand Dune Arch parking area

Length: 0.3 mile (0.5 km) round trip

Time: 15 to 30 minutes

trail leads through deep sand to a secluded

arch among sandstone ins. Do not climb or

jump of the arch.

Hiking etiquette

rock cairn

• Stay on established trails and/or solid

rock: follow the rock cairns. Help protect

the fragile biological soil crust and other

vegetation in our desert environment.

StreNUoUS trAIlS

Tower Arch

Start: klondike blufs parking area, via the

Salt Valley road

Length: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) round trip

Time: 2 to 3 hours

the trail climbs a steep, short rock wall, cuts

across a valley and then meanders through

sandstone ins and sand dunes. An alternate,

shorter trail (0.3 mile [0.5 km] one way), be-

gins at the end of the four-wheel-drive road

on the west side of tower Arch. this unpaved

road washes out quickly in rainstorms; check

road conditions before heading out.

Broken Arch

Start: Sand Dune Arch parking area or Devils

Garden campground across from campsite #40

Length: 1.3 miles (2.1 km) round trip; 2 miles

(3.2 km) including the loop

Time: 30 to 60 minutes

From the Sand Dune Arch parking area, the

trail crosses a large meadow to the arch and

continues to the campground. trail leads

through ins with sand dunes and slickrock.

•Leavenotrace:movelikeashadow,and

please take out the trash, even if it isn’t

yours.

FieryFurnace(FeeArea)

the Fiery Furnace is a mazelike labyrinth

of narrow sandstone canyons. To enter the

FieryFurnace,visitorsmustaccompanya

ranger-guidedhike(seepage2)orobtaina

hiking permit at the visitor center. there is

no trail, so visitors are encouraged to accom-

pany a ranger — both for their own safety

and to reduce impacts on the area.

•Petsandbicyclesare not permitted on

hiking trails.

4 Arches Visitor Guide

North

4 Kilometers

4 Miles

CAUTION

Stay on trails or slickrock to

protect fragile biological soil

crust. These tiny organisms are

critical to all life in the desert.

Dark Angel

Double O Arch

Private

Arch

primitive

trail

KLONDIKE

BLUFFS

1.1mi

1.8km

Navajo Arch

Partition Arch

Landscape Arch

Tower Arch

Pit toilet

Pine Tree Arch

Tunnel Arch

Marching

Men

1.7mi

2.7km

Pit toilet

Devils Garden Trailhead

1.4mi

2.3km

Campground

Soft sand in wash crossings.

Impassable after heavy rains.

Skyline Arch

Amphitheater

1.0mi

1.6km

Broken Arch

Sand Dune Arch

7.2mi

11.5km

5.0mi

8.1km

FIERY

FURNACE

Delicate Arch

4829ft

1474m

Pit toilet

9.0mi

14.5km

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint

Salt Valley Overlook

Wolfe Ranch

Upper Viewpoint

Recommended north

to south travel

Pit toilet

1.0mi

1.6km

Lower Delicate Arch

Viewpoint

To and Crescent Junction

from junction of and :

18mi 29km

Parking and

Pit toilet

191

313

1.2mi

1.9km

2.5mi

4.0km

Panorama Point

Eye of the Whale Arch

ARCHES NATIONA L PARK

Soft sand.

Impassable after heavy rains.

Garden

Eden Elephant Butte

5653ft

1723m

Ham

Rock

WILLOW

FLATS

Pit toilet

Balanced

Rock

2.5mi

4.0km

Cove

Arch

To and Cisco from

junction of and :

45mi 72km

To Castle Valley from

junction of and :

16mi 26km

191

128

Cove of Caves

Double Arch

Parade of Elephants

191

128

191

ROCK

PINNACLES

Pit toilet

North Window

South Window

Turret Arch

1.9mi

3.1km

THE WINDOWS

SECTION

128

9.2mi

14.8km

313

Petriﬁed Dunes

Viewpoint

PETRIFIED

DUNES

BLM

campgrounds

To Dead Horse Point State Park

from junction of and :

19mi 31km

To Canyonlands National Park,

Island in the Sky district from junction of and :

21mi 34km

313

191

6.0mi

9.6km

Tower of Babel

Sheep Rock

Three Gossips

Courthouse Towers Viewpoint

313

191

The Organ

COURTHOUSE

TOWERS

Park Avenue

Viewpoint and Trailhead

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint

Visitor Center

Park headquarters

4085ft

1245m

Parking is permitted only in

designated spaces. If a particular

parking lot is full, please return

at a later time. Strictly enforced.

128

4.3mi

7.0km

Unpaved road

0.5mi

0.8km

Distance

indicator

Picnic area

Interpretive trail

191

To Monticello:

55mi 90km

To Canyonlands National

Park, Needles district:

77mi 126km

Four-wheel

drive road

Hiking trail

Restrooms

Drinking water

279

MOAB

To Petroglyphs

5mi 8km

Arches Visitor Guide 5

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