Hiking to Delicate Arch

Bring the Heat

Arguably the most popular hike at Arches National Park, the hike to Delicate Arch is worth being drenched with sweat. On paper, the hike seems relatively easy but the environment proves to be the challenge. Mileage and elevation are average for your typical hiker, but throw in 100+ degree temperatures and nothing but knee-jarring slick rock and you got yourself a good challenge, my friend. All is forgiven when you see the arch though.  Delicate Arch delivers on its postcard promise, so skip the gift shop and take your own souvenir photo.

Mormon Roots

Park your sweat-box on the asphalt and get to stepping. The sightseeing begins right as you step on the trail. Utah is the motherland for the Mormon Religion. As some of the states first settlers, you can often find bits of history scattered through Utah’s parks. The land your hiking on was once a pioneer settlement before it was a national park. The log cabin in front of you is Wolfe Ranch. The one bedroom house gives a recreation of what a Mormon household would have looked like around the start of the 1900’s. You can’t go into the shack but you can peep your head in and imagine yourself churning butter or doing some other really important yet super boring pioneer activity.

Rock This Way

“Mountains aren’t just funny, they are Hill-Areas.”

*Pause for laughter*.

Really? Not even a giggle? Oh well, I guess geology jokes have really hit rock bottom.

DANG, DID HE JUST DROP TWO ROCK JOKES!?!?!

Yes, Yes I did. If you enjoyed those, your inner geologist will greatly appreciate this hike.  After all, this hike is nothing but rocks. Leaving the cabin, you’ll start walking on a finely ground rock trail that graduates to slick-rock after a half-mile. Stacks of rocks, known as Cairns, lead you to your destination which is Utah’s most recognizable rock formation, Delicate Arch.

This much rock means a few things. First, there isn’t much shade on the trail due to the lack of vegetation. Second, the slick rock reflects heat. These two reasons mean you better pack a lot of water.  A minimum of 1 liter of water per person, even if you think you’re in good shape.

Delicate Arch: The Utah License Plate Brought to Life

On your road trip through Utah, you’ll undoubtedly notice the Utah license plate which proudly displays the Delicate Arch. This artist rendering does not do it justice. For something with such a dainty name, the arch is much bigger than you can imagine. As you turn the corner to catch your first glimpse of the arch it looks smaller than it really is due to the majestic backdrop it is surrounded by. As you walk through the natural amphitheater and close in on your goal, the arch seems to tower above you all of a sudden.

If you’d like to take your selfies or the classic arms out “look how big it is” pose be prepared to wait your turn. A natural line of patient yet exhausted hikers will form right next to the base, so be respectful and get your photos quickly. The arch is massive, however, and won’t fit in a photo taken near the base. Instead, spread out a bit and get a close-up portrait with the arch in the background. When you’ve taken enough photos to prove to your friends that you completed the hike, simply head back down the way you came.

Trail Tips

• You need a minimum of 1 liter of water per person. Bring extra to dump on your head to cool you down.
• Speaking from experience, don’t try climbing up any rock faces to get a better view, it’s really easy to get stuck up there.
• The way down can be hard on the knees so bring your brace if you have a bum knee.

Chad Albright

Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.