The first section of Arches we went to was the Windows area. Here we did a short hike to both Windows Arches, Turret arch, and saw the Double Arch. We went super early and that really helped with the crowds. It was also a little drizzly at times, which was fine by us! The hikes in this area were pretty short and easy for us. Great taste of Arches without being too exhausting!
Ike really loves posing.
The South Window was huge. Here's a video of the boys climbing around.
Inside Turret Arch.
Looking through Turret Arch.
Instead of going back the way we came, the kids wanted to take the primitive trail around the back side of the Windows area.
We got really good at looking for cairns to help us follow the trails.
If you squint you can see Josh and the boys standing on a rock between the arches. Video of the boys on the primitive trail.
Once we finished the primitive trail, we walked down to the trail for Double Arch. This area was much more crowded at this point of the morning.
Looking into Double Arch. A tour guide climbed up into the arch and started playing a windpipe-type instrument. Video of music in the arch.
View of the park from the Double Arches.
Quick stop at the visitor center-got the kids' passport stamps and bought a couple of souvenirs.
We went back to the condo and swam and relaxed until after dinner. Then we did a hike to Mills Creek Waterfall that I'll post about later. Tuesday we headed to Canyonlands, which will also be another post!
Wednesday morning we were back in Arches to check out the Devil's Garden area and a couple other spots up in the northern section of Arches.
Beautiful morning for a hike!
Along the way to Landscape Arch we detoured to see Pine Tree Arch.
The views were so incredible all along this trail.
Ike struggled a bit on this trail so Dave and I walked on ahead to see Landscape Arch while Josh and Ike took a breather.
They caught up pretty quick!
After we finished up with the Landscape hike we went to Broken Arch and Sane Dune Arch which were close by.
I never figured out how this arch was broken but it was huge and the kids loved climbing around inside it!
The walk back to the Sand Dune Arch was really cool and reminded me of something out of an Indiana Jones movie.
Of course the boys found a more strenuous way to get out :)
Ike had to empty his shoes of all the sand after we got done. Here's the video. It was super windy so it's kind of hard to hear.
We again went back to the condo to cool off by the pool and have lunch and dinner. We stopped and got some ice cream before going back into Arches to do a sunset hike to Delicate Arch. I had read a lot about this hike and we had decided to do it rather than the shorter one to an overlook. While we were out one day another group told us that a sunset hike to Delicate Arch was the best thing they did so we figured we may as well try it!
Walking up, couldn't resist a shadow picture.
We were kind of rushing to get up to the arch because we were worried we didn't have enough time. Also we realized that the entire hike up was on a slick rock and uphill. Woof! But we did it and with plenty of time to hang out before the sunset.
Last corner before we got to the viewing area.
The sunset wasn't great this night but it still was beautiful!
Dave and Ike took some selfies with my phone.
The hike back was so pretty in the dusk.
Dave and his lanterns. There were bats swooping everywhere.
You can kind of see how the hike went up a huge rock...this is of the kids running back down which was so much easier!
That was it for our adventures at Arches National Park. We spent the rest of our time on hikes around Moab and in Canyonlands. As far as national parks go, Arches had a lot to offer and didn't feel overly crowded as long as we early morning or later in the evening. The kids really loved it and we always appreciate hikes that end with cool scenery, so if you are into that kind of vacation I highly recommend!
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