Day 15, September 23, 2021

There’s not a whole lot to say about today except that Arches National Park is truly amazing from its trademark arches, towering spires, deep canyons multi-colored landscapes and one winding road that takes you close to all that’s good.

The day started with watching the sunrise and the moon set from our campground outside Moab.

We drove into Arches just before 9, but the traffic was already backed up at the gates. Once we got through we followed the advice of Judith and Steve Hill and drove directly to the far end of the park while most other cars and RVs pulled into overlooks and side roads along the way. But when we arrived at Devils Garden, every parking space was filled and we considered leaving the park and heading to Canyonlands and then coming back to Arches tomorrow, at least an hour earlier. But just as we pulled around the loop near the main trailhead, a car pulled out and we pulled in.

We hiked back the trail to the Pine Tree Arch, took a second trail to Tunnel Arch and a third to Landscape Arch.

By the end of the day, we took 11 different trails to a variety of arches and trademark sites totaling 9.5 miles (first time my fitbit went over 20,000 in one day). It was in the mid 80s with bright sun, but no humidity and a gentle breeze. When we got back down to Moab, it was in the mid-90s.

Here’s a selection of photos from what was a very rewarding day:

Tomorrow it’s on to the Canyonlands National Park and the Dead Horse Point State Park.