Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park. Taken about an hour after sunset. I used a maglight and a LED headlamp to illuminate the arch. as you can see from the many foot impressions that this is a very popular attraction in the park...mostly due to its easier accessibility.

This arch is in nestled among some sandstone fins and sand dunes. Thought it would be so easy to just walk back in there on that sand--heck, all told it was less than a quarter mile once you got off the trail and into the fins. Found that walking in that particular kind of sand was kind of like trying to walk in wet cement! Man, it was WORK! not even sort of like the sand I am used to which is river sand and very course. This stuff was like fine powdered sugar.

One thing I didn't mention about the hike back in to this arch--about halfway in there the trail (such as it is) narrows to a crack about 3 feet wide. Not a problem for your normal sized hiker, but, alas, I am not a normal sized hiker being wider than the crack! There was a way around the crack but that would involve climbing up a smallish fin and jumping down on the other side but that option wasn't gonna fly for me. While I could climb up there I wouldn't be able to bring myself to jump off the 5-6 foot fin So, I turned sideways, sucked in as much as I could and pressed on with visions the movie of 127 hours marching across my mind. Made it!

Anyway, hope you like this latest offering from that trip. have a great week!