Arches National Park

Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of natural stone arches in the world- more than 2,000 at last count- the longest being, Landscape Arch, measuring 306 feet base to base.  Yet, what is an arch?  Is it the same as a bridge?  How about a window?

Double Arch (back arch is at an angle; the blue sky is the edge)

To qualify as an official stone "arch," a hole must have an opening at least three feet long in any one direction.  There is no requirement for width, though; quite a lot of the arches in the park are so skinny you have to place your cheek up against the rock in order to see any light through them.

Gemini Bridge

A natural bridge is formed by running water and spans either a present or former waterway.  Very few natural bridges exist at Arches, but Natural Bridges National Monument, just two hours south (112 miles), has three tremendous examples of this feature.  All of them are visible from their paved scenic road or by hiking trails.  Perfect for us; we are heading that way next.  Unable to make it to Natural Bridges National Monument; check out Gemini Bridges just 5 miles past Arches entrance.

Petrified Dunes w/North & South Window

Is a window a special kind of arch?  Not really.  "Window" is just a descriptive term that is often given to rock openings high on the rock wall or fin.  Some arches are called windows if they "frame" a particularly good view of the landscape.

Scenery in Arches N.P.

 

Delicate Arch

The park is always open, 24 hours a day.  I'm first thought was "why"?  Then I closed your eyes, just imaging being one with nature, sitting or laying on this rock looking through an arch with pure amazement as the moon and stars highlight the arch.  Then I could understand why!  Not only an amazing site to see, but think of the memories and the photos not many would have. 

Canyoneering down rock

The park offers vast amount of ways to see/explore the park: ranger-guided activities, backpacking, climbing & canyoneering, biking, four-wheel drive routes, hiking or drive automobile through the main road. For the ones that like to get off the beaten-path the park has three unpaved roads, two being four-wheel drive roads. 

Where is that locker?!?

We took the unpaved road, turned left onto a four-wheel drive road in hopes to take a different route back and to see the only two named arches - Tower Arch & Eye of the Whale Arch in the back country.  Unfortunately we finally meet our challenge in the back country; without having a locker (keeps all four wheels turning at the same time) we were unable to make the climb up the rugged slick rock covered in sand.  So we visited with a few other couple who also had the same thinking, before we just returned to the unpaved road, had a picnic at the base of the Klondike Bluffs, then exit the park continuing down the unpaved road to Hwy 191.

Balance Rock

 Maybe next time we will make it to Devils Gardens; this area is at the furthermost end of the park where there is a campground and over ten named arches.   We'll be back, as we hope you get a chance to explore all Moab, Utah has to offer.   

*Don't forget you can click on the photos to enlarge them.

Us in North Window

Ending the day w/ another awesome sunset

                                                                                                  10/10/14  ~D

Moab, UT - Gemini Bridges & Bull Canyon Trail

October 5, 2014

Gemini Bridges covers a region between Highways 191 and 313, reaches some grand vistas and accesses numerous other routes to explore, some require 4-Wheel-Drive so know your limits! The highlight is the spectacular twin bridges, called Gemini Bridges, on the rim of an arm of Bull Canyon.   A natural bridge is formed by running water and spans either a present or former waterway.

Twin Brides - side and top views (photo courtesy of takemytrip.com)

 CAUTION - Your life is in  Jeopardy! Around Gemini Bridges, keep a close eye on children and foolish adults near the cliffs. Several individuals have lost their lives here. At least two people have fallen to their death attempting to jump the 6-foot gap between the two spans. On October 9, 1999, Beau James Daley, age 19, fell 160-feet from the outer span as he attempted to drive his jeep across the bridge.

  

You never know what you might find in these remote places...

We spotted this guy attempting to cross a 40-foot section on a tight rope while we were exploring the twin bridges.  He finally made it across, as several of us applauded him, before returning back across.  All I can say; "he's a brave soul"!!  Not Recommended by the average person.

While out for a drive scouting out other camping options we saw Gemini Bridges Road off 313; a reasonable dirt road with a few rough rocky and sand spots, however most SUV can maneuver without issues. The road is shared with many different types of travelers: your daily SUV driver, off-road enthusiast, mountain bikers, ATVs, and dirt bikes – especially busy during the weekend (April, May, and October being Moab's busy season) so please use caution during your travels.  As far as camping options; BLM camping is not an option anymore in this area, as with many areas around Moab, UT.  All camping must in designated campgrounds or RV parks only!

The canyon road Jerry wanted to get to, but we didn't

Realizing this area is our kind of nature, we know we had to return to explore more.  Jerry had noticed there was a road in the bottom of the canyon, so he wanted to return and see if we could find it. After a few side roads we ran into a couple of ATV, which thought the road we were looking for was Bull Canyon trail.  And we were off….

The trail kept getting more interested, even though you wouldn't think so from the picture; we had a quarter tank of gas with a stock jeep, and NO CLUE where we were headed. Soon we meet-up with a Rubicon jeep and ask how the trail was ahead… rougher rocks and a turn-around spot…you mean we have to come back the same way?  As she (the driver) smiled and said; “yep, we hoped not, but it does” (whoever likes to go back the same way you go – we don’t).  We soon decided we might not be equipped properly (no lockers), so we turned around to start our decent out of the very rocky wash/trail.  However, now I wish we could have made it to the end..I now know there was a short walk to an arch---bummer!  GUESS IT’S BETTER TO BE SAFE THEN SORRY!

If you are planning a trip to Moab, UT and care to visit this area, then these driving instructions provide more details on how there. 

Bird Rock Formation

So much to do in this area; there's just no way to do it all... just more reason to come back!  ~ D