End of the Arches, Arches National Park, UT

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Today Gloria and Ivan once again gave up their busy day and took us hiking. They are the best tour guides. We went to a trail called Devils Garden. It is at the very end of Arches National Park. Probably 20 miles in from the start. Even if you are not a hiker the drive through the park is spectacular. The trail we went on, which was a loop, was 7.2 miles long. We opted out of one of the side trails called The Dark Angel so that cut off approximately a mile.

We came across so many arches. So many beautiful overlooks. Such unbelievable scenery. It was challenging and very rough at times but so rewarding when we finished. If we keep this up we will definitely lose 25 lbs.

We left the temporary housing unit around 10:15 and hit the trail around 11am. By the time we finished the loop it was 3:30pm. It took 4 1/2 hours to hike a little over 6 miles. We climbed rocks and scooted down slick sides of rocks on our butts. We walked along a 'fin'. A fin is a rock that is part of your trail and you have to walk along the top of it. Usually it is narrow and long. This fin WAS narrow and long. It was an incredible feeling to be so high up and so not anchored in to anything around you. The potential for accidents or death is everywhere around you, and yet you cant help but keep on climbing. It is truly UN real! I took alot of pictures and I really hope that you can see the depth of where we were and what we were challenged with.

Part of the trail was down in valleys between massive red rock and part of it was out in the open in 7 inches of sand for almost a full mile. Walking in thick, hot, red sand for almost a mile is a work out in itself, but we had to do it uphill. We consumed copious amounts of water and therefore PJ could not accompany us.  There was not room for him in the backpack/cooler.

After the trek we once again went to the Moab Brewery. Today was $.15 wings and $10 pitchers. Since I'm not a big fan of beer there was more for the other guys, which I'm sure made them happy. We ordered 60, yes sixty, wings.....what a bunch of pigs. I think Tommy and Ivan ate at least 20-25 wings each. Needless to say, no chili again tonight!!!

Tomorrow the plan is to leave Gloria and Ivan alone and take Sire to Mills Trail. It is a trail that puts us in and out of the river 8-10 times which means we do not have to carry water for Sire. Are you aware that one gallon of water weighs 8.333 lbs?  I'm hoping this makes room for PJ to come along.

Its now 7:43pm here and we are wiped out...see ya tomorrow! Thanks for reading.