Delicate Arch
Thursday 22 September, 2022
Delicate Arch.
Arches form from differential weathering of layers of sandstone. In Arches National Park, we see the Slickrock member of Entrada Sandstone above the Dewey Bridge member. The Dewey Bridge member weathers more easily, and eventually breaks down altogether, leaving the Slickrock member intact above. Of course, this situation is only temporary, as, eventually, the Slickrock member will eventually fall with no support underneath. [Geology Underfoot in Southern Utah, Orndorff, Wieder, & Futey, 2006]
Along the trail up to Delicate Arch, we found the historic Wolfe Ranch.
John Wesley Wolfe and his son, Fred, set up the ranch here in what is now Arches National Park. They lived on the ranch for twelve years, putting in quarterly supply orders from the Sears catalog. His daughter, Flora, eventually came with her family, but did not like the isolated life on this beautiful but lonely plain. John Wolfe tried to comfort Flora with china from Sears and a camera and developing kit. Flora took one of the earliest photos of Delicate Arch. (Note that, even sometime between 1906 and 1908, Flora still couldn't take a picure of the arch without someone standing under it. Or maybe she did that on purpose for scale...) While we can admire the ingenuity of the Wolfes for surviving here in the desert, their ranching activities had a significant impact on the surrounding environment. The native foliage has not yet recovered, 75 years after the property became a park. [National Park Service brochure]
Near the Wolfe Ranch is evidence of the people who were inhabiting the area before the Wolfes, the Zuni, Hopi, Ute, Paiute, and others. Eric photographed their art. [National Park Service brochure]
Eric photographed a weathered formation.
Before us, we could see the long hike up a slant of slickrock.
After the long climb up the slickrock, the trail turned to the left, and the geology became more interesting. In the rock wall, we could see a new arch still being formed.
We rounded a corner and hiked along a ledge, where we saw Twisted Donut Arch.
We could see a small arch above us.
We rounded another corner, and came upon the incredible view of magnificent Delicate Arch.
The optimal way to visit a national park is to go out hiking in the morning and evening when trails are less crowded, and to return to camp for your biggest meal in mid-day. After Delicate Arch, we returned to camp for food, showers, and laundry.
I cannot describe the joy of a nice, warm shower in our little blockhouse, peeking out the window at the surrounding cliffs. Camping helps you recognize the value of conveniences like hot showers that you might usually take for granted. Eric cooked fresh eggs with canned green beans.
In the evening, we hiked into Devil's Garden near the campground. Devil's Garden is a series of fins similar to the Fiery Furnace, but they are older and more weathered, with wide, flat places between, so the hiking was much easier.
We visited Landscape Arch. A sign informed us that the Park Service had fenced off the area under the arch because part of the arch had collapsed in 1991. You can see the thin spot that may break apart in our time.
Although it was starting to become dark, we made a quick side trip to see Tunnel Arch.
Sunset from the Devil's Garden.
In the morning, we packed out of our lovely camp and headed off for a great adventure in the Navajo Nation.
On to Monument Valley.