Arches National Park, UT

I always prefer to get done with the final exams earlier in the week, finish grading and assessments and then take a break. So I was definitely disappointed when I found out that all three of my final exams were scheduled on the 7th and the 8th. Classes ended on the 30th, I presented two projects at the STEM symposium on the 1st and would have had to wait until 7th for finals, grading and assessments. So at the last minute S and I decided to make use of this time and flew to Moab, Utah. 

We spent 3 days at Arches National Park and couldn't be happier. We wanted to go to Arches during Spring break, but the weather was too cold in March. We could have waited for the semester to end and then gone, but then the temperature would have been extremely high. So, April would have been an ideal month to visit Moab, but I couldn't cancel classes in April and flying to south west cannot be (or rather should not be) done over a  2 day weekend. There is so much to do.... for anyone who likes an active vacation. The Arches National Park is very beautiful and unlike the Grand Canyon you cannot just drive from one view point to the other. You actually have to walk from parking to the view point or the actual rock. Biking is another great option in Spring when the temperature is mild. Biking, canyoneering, rock climbing, tower climbing and rafting (many of which are still on my to do list) are other activities to enjoy here. This place is also a photographer's paradise.

You need a couple of days to see the park, depending on how much of hiking you can accomplish in a day. The heat definitely slows you down. Plenty of water is a must. A map of the park can be found here. So here is an itinerary that can be followed:

1. Day 1 (morning and afternoon): Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, Fiery Furnace and other smaller view points in between. Approx. 7 miles of hiking.
2. Day 1 (evening): Delicate arch view point and hike to the arch. Approx. 4 miles of hiking. Ideal for sunset photography.
3. Day 2 (morning): Canyoneering at Morning Glory arch and hiking through Negro Bill Canyon. Approx. 3 miles.
4. Day 2 (evening): Dead Horse Point State Park. Ideal for sunset photography.
5. Day 3 (morning): Devil's Garden trail with access to Landscape arch, Double O arch and other smaller arches. At least 4 miles of hiking depending on how many side trails you take.
6. Day 3 (evening): Windows section. Ideal for sunset photography.
7. Day 4 (morning): Mesa arch, Canyonlands national park. Ideal for sunrise photography.

I think this is the first vacation in a long time when I did not shop for anything :-) At the last minute I decided to stop at the visitor center and buy a refrigerator magnet for my collection! Overall a very successful vacation. S took tons of pictures that I cannot wait to upload on this blog.

More to come...