Bob Neuman and David Ruether
Trip to the South Western US
May - June 2005
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Ah, if ever there was an "alien" landscape on earth, Arches National Park is it! Odd rock formations and multiple arches (some enormous - see Bob in photo 10) combined with the bright red colors in most areas made this either our second or third favorite location on the trip (after Zion, then Grand Canyon) - but most other parks were wonderful, too (and there were few disappointments). The first evening David was eager to get to Double Arch (in the Windows section), and we too-quickly passed by beautifully-lit rock formations on the way, only to find Double Arch in dull light. Also unfortunately, the most interesting arch still in good light was covered with the bright lines of the aluminum tripod legs of the members of a large photography class who obviously had all been instructed to mount cameras on tripods at all times (we did not carry one…). Even so, it was a delight to be in this area and we walked to the Windows and to Turret Arch - and we watched the sunset until it was nearly dark. We went into Arches five times at various times of day and saw several more arches (most are fairly short walks), the most amazing of these (along with Double Arch, photo 10) is the 300' clear span of the thin, almost flat Landscape Arch (photos 7 and 8) on the Devil's Garden trail. We also visited Pine Tree Arch on this trail. The La Sal mountains and some petrified sand dunes are shown in photo 13. We did not go to Fiery Furnace (aptly named!) with Surprise Arch (reservations and a guide are required) due to the heat and the difficulty of moving through the trail narrow areas. We returned one evening to see Delicate Arch (photo 15) from a distance, to avoid a fairly long walk. This park is just plain amazing!
(Photos were
taken by Bob Neuman and edited and adjusted by David Ruether)
(All photographs Copyright 2005 Robert Neuman)