Today’s plan included another visit to Arches National Park. Our reservation was at 1:00 PM, so we had a little extra time to explore locally. After breakfast, we drove north from Green River along the Green River. We passed several crop circles before entering the canyon. We followed the road about 10 miles until it changed to a dirt road at Swasey’s Beach. There were several people camping beside the river, but no one was swimming. The water was still high, swift, and cold.
Next, we headed back to Green River to investigate a trail I saw along the Green River. We stopped at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. It has a patio area outside with information boards describing the town, the railroad, and the interstate highway. It also has the beginnings of a trail that follows the river and will eventually be extended further.
| David and Susan walk along the Green River trail |
With more time before our reservation, we headed to Moab and turned to follow the Colorado River downstream. We entered the Potash boat ramp into the GPS and followed the river as it wound between the sandstone cliffs. Eventually, we reached the Potash railcar loading facility and the boat ramp just a mile further down the road. There was nothing going on at the boat ramp, so we turned around and headed back towards Moab. We made one more quick stop to check out the Jug Handle Arch, then continued to Lion Park.
Lion Park sits along the Colorado River outside Moab. It is very green and has several picnic tables. It also sits on a bike trail that follows the river upstream and goes into town in the other direction. We chose a table and enjoyed our lunch as we waited for our 1:00 reservation time.
| David and Susan eating lunch at Lion Park |
Just before 1:00, we headed to the Arches National Park entry. The line was longer today, and somehow seemed hotter. We started playing a game to see how long each car took to get through the entry point. One car in particular took over 3 minutes to get through. Even a bus load of people took less time. I made it my mission to get through in less than 20 seconds. I had my ID, Park Pass, and reservation ready to go and was easily through in less than 20 seconds. I like to think that I’m a hero to everyone behind me.
Once inside, we went directly to our first trailhead. The Park Avenue trail is a short trail that starts and ends along the main road. You can choose to do the round trip, or you can do what we did. We got out on the high side of the trail, then Mom drove down to the low side to meet us. This made the hike much shorter and easier.
| David and Susan enjoying the Park Avenue trail |
Our next stop was the Windows Section. Yesterday, we hiked up to the Double Arch. Today, we hiked to the Turret Arch and the North and South Windows. Then we took the Primitive trail back to the parking lot. This trail goes around the back side of the Windows Arches. I felt like I was seeing the back side of Mt. Rushmore; it was something most people don’t get to see.
| Susan near Turret Arch |
| David and Susan sitting inside one of the Window Arches |
| David and Susan hiking along the Primitive trail |
Our next stop was a quick stop at Devil’s Garden to refill our water bottles, then we headed back to the pull-out for Sandstone Arch and Broken Arch. Sandstone Arch was so different and unique that it will always stand out from the others. You first pass between two fins along a narrow trail wide enough for one person to pass. Then you pass through a little area filled with soft sand before entering a larger narrow room, also filled with soft sand. Then you turn a corner and there you find the miniscule (relatively speaking) Sandstone Arch. It is a great place for families with young kids to hang out. Several kids were playing in the sand and sliding down the sandy hill that leads up to the arch.
| David standing under Sandstone Arch |
Broken arch was also impressive. It was at the end of a short hike and took a little bit of climbing to reach it. We were followed to the arch by and family with two young girls. The older girl raced up the rocks to reach the top of the hill. I said to her that she must be part mountain goat. She said, “Just a little”.
| David standing under Broken Arch |
With all of our planned hikes complete, we headed back to Moab to pick up a few things that cannot be found in Green River, then drove back home. The day was complete and the sunset made a nice ending to the day.
Click the image below to see all pictures from the trip.
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