Delicate Arch (Arches National Park)

Stats

Length:	3.00 miles
Difficulty:	Moderately Strenuous
Estimated Hike Time:	2 hours
Trail Type:	Out and Back
Elevation Low:	4,311 feet
Elevation High:	4,865 feet
Total Elevation Gain:	554 feet
Optimal Season:	Year Round
Best Access Point:	Moab

Summary

Arguably the most recognized rock arch in the world, Delicate Arch is a wonder to behold. Not only is the Delicate Arch amazing, the hike through the great Utah slick rock and surrounding desert is a great preview to the main event!

Hike Images

Overview

This moderate hike is on the "bucket list" for many people across the world as they visit Utah. The hardest part to the hike will be staying hydrated during the summer months and possibly staying on the slick rock in inclement weather. Still, this is a great hike for most hikers from older kids on up.

Directions

gps coordinates of trailhead:

38.735154, -109.520374

Trail Information

The Hike to Delicate Arch is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of around 560 feet spread over 1.5 miles (the biggest elevation gain happens in the last half mile). There is no shade anywhere on this trail and the red rock will reflect most of the heat back to you well through the afternoon and evening. As you leave the parking lot and start on the trail, the Wolfe Ranch corral and house is still standing after 100 years thanks to preservation efforts. If you plan on looking at this we suggest doing it before the hike as you probably will only be interested in your air conditioned car when you get back. Just after the Ranch, the trail will cross over Salt Wash which leads to the Colorado River and then up the first incline. There is one big switchback up this incline with a gain of about 50 feet. The trail will continue for about half a mile on a packed dirt trail at which point you will start to cross onto slickrock. You will then be following the slickrock for the rest of the hike; the path on the slick rock will be faint at times but you will see rock cairns set up by the park rangers to guide you past these points. As you get near the arch, the rock formations will start to be amazing so keep your head up as you pass these rills and channels carved into the slick rock. The last push will take you around a giant petrified sand dune with a steep wash and mini slot canyon that you will skirt and some careless hikers have been known to fall in. As you round the last turn the Delicate Arch will come into a spectacular full view with a slickrock bowl on one side and a steep cliff on the other. The view is awesome and through late spring the distant snow-capped mountains give a great contrast to the desert you are surrounded by.

Additional information: The Park Service suggest you take at least a liter of water for this hike, especially in Summer when temperatures reach 110° F. or more.

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Posted By: Adam Gilbert

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