Arches National Park UT - Day 2

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UT

Day 2

December 22, 2017

Yesterday Arches National Park (ANP) was covered with 8-12 inches of snow. The park was a winter wonderland. Some trails were a bit icy and slippery—we should have brought crampons. ANP is located in a “high desert” with elevations ranging from 4,085 to 5,653 feet above sea level. ANP contains over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Throughout the park, rock layers reveal millions of years of deposition, erosion, and other geologic events. 

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PHOTOS

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Heading Into The Park

Park Avenue Trail

Nature's Skyscrapers

The Park Avenue Trail is named for New York City’s famous street. Early travelers noticed similarities between these sandstone formations and the famous skyscrapers along New York’s Park Avenue.

Balanced Rock

This 95-feet-tall and 3,600-ton balancing rock is made of two different rock formations. The upper rock in the pinkish-red color is Entrada sandstone, and the second stone is part of the Caramel formation. The bottom giant formation is made from mudstone. Geologists suggest that someday this balancing rock might fall due to erosion.

Double Arch

Double Arch was named for two natural arches in close proximity. Double Arch was formed differently from most of the arches in the park. It is what is known as a pothole arch, formed by water erosion from above rather than more typical erosion from the side. The larger opening has a span of 148 feet and a height of 104 feet. These dimensions give the arch the tallest opening and second-longest span in the park. The area was used as a backdrop for the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, in which the arches are briefly visible. However, the cave shown in the movie does not exist.

North Window Arch

North Window is 51 feet high and 93 feet wide.

Cove of Caves

 In time, erosion will eat through 30 feet of sandstone, and the caves will become arches. 

Sunset in the High Desert

Location: Junction of Windows Road and the main park road.

Twilight in the High Desert

Location: Junction of Windows Road and the main park road.

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COPYRIGHT

These photographs are the property of Leon Jackson and are protected by copyright laws. Photographs may not be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Leon Jackson. © 2017 Leon Jackson. All Rights Reserved.

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