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Hiking | 3.12 Miles |
576 AEG |
| Hiking | 3.12 Miles | 2 Hrs 4 Mns | | 1.75 mph |
576 ft AEG | 17 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The last day of a friend's visit, we got to the Delicate Arch parking lot at 7 a.m., and it was 2/3 full. I had tried to interest her in getting there by 6 a.m., but she hadn't slept well, and needed more time to get ready. There were plenty of people along the trail, but not an onerous number. It wasn't the continuous line I have heard about.
After seeing the arch, we arrived back at the parking lot around 9 a.m. It was full, with cars searching for parking spaces, and a ranger was out front directing traffic. We had also seen two rangers hiking up the trail as we hiked down it.
On the way back out of the park at 9:30 a.m. (this is on a Wed., mind you) the line of cars going into the park stretched all the way down to the stoplight. Many times lately, they have had to close the park by 10 a.m., until some people leave, because there simply isn't enough parking in there. There was also a considerable amount of traffic heading north through town as we headed back to my place. Much less southbound traffic.
Next time I go into Arches I'll get there at 5:30 a.m., but I haven't figured out which hike to do next. They just reopened the Fiery Furnace recently, for which you need a permit. I would like to see some more of the arches, also.
You won't believe what it's like here unless you come here and see it for yourself. I'm fortunate to have a place to live that's very quiet, private and out of the way, yet is right in town.
Oh, you wanted to know about the hike? You hike up, you see the arch, and then you hike down (standing aside for many others). Then you go to the visitors' center, intending to buy a "Been There Done That" t-shirt, only to find that the NPS now stocks low quality stuff, and charges 30 bucks for it. I bought a postcard, and we left. |
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There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life. |
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