Arches National Park

This was it!  The trip has been great and there is no where we have been that we would not go back to, but Arches National Park is THE destination.

Upon passing through the park’s gate, you’re immediately on a steep switchback road and about to fall in love with one of the most beautiful national parks we have had the luxury of visiting.  Pictures cannot do justice to the grandeur of the rocks, the over 76,000 acres of sandstone formations called arches, or the soaring pinnacles and spires of rocks. Whether you choose to hike or drive, the arches present themselves for viewing upon every turn you take.  Of course some are sneaky, and hiking is the only way.  Even then you don’t often see them until they are literally in front of you.  Mother Nature as many tricks up her sleeve in this park!

Although we have been here over a week, our hiking isn’t over here yet, but tomorrow's adventure will be our longest  hike yet, so I wanted to save that for an individual post.

Most hiking days find us with over 15,000 steps.  My FitBit app states that hiking burns 3 – 4 times as many calories as regular walking, and believe me that’s how you feel here.  There is no walk that is even, that is not over slickrock or deep sand, and traverses canyons and shrubs. A pack loaded with lunch and water is not a treat, but a necessity.  And don’t forget dry socks.

Challenging? Yes Worth it? A thousand times over…