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We drove out of Colorado and into Utah, along the Colorado River to Fisher Towers. We have been here before and wanted to repeat the hike. Anywhere else, these fantastic rock formations would be part of a National or State Park. But here, they are surrounded by so many other attractions that they are hardly known.
We didn't get there until late and set off to do 5 miles just before 6pm. At least it wasn't as hot and there wasn't anyone else around. Or so we thought! We saw a blue tent hanging on the side of the huge Titan formation with all the necessary equipment for rock climbing. Even a solar panel! If the climbers were inside then we pitied them as the tent was in the blazing sunshine. Is this base camp for Helen's Kilimanjaro climb?
Fisher Towers.
We stayed for sunset and decided to hunt for a free spot rather than pay the $12 camping fee for bush camping at one of the many spots here. It was 10pm by the time we found somewhere. A very long day!
It has been just over 8 years since we were in Arches National Park for the first time and we decided to go back again. It is certainly one of the best parks in the US and therefore one of the busiest. We have a problem with all the tourists!! (We don't count ourselves amongst them!)
We drove through the park to the end of the road at Devils Garden and set off in the 34°C heat to see Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch (which is still intact), Double O Arch, Private Arch ... and on the way back Navajo and Partition Arch.
Devil's Garden - 360° Panorama(move mouse over panorama and click on the arrows)
4.5 hours in this heat, trudging through deep sand, and clambering and climbing over rocks just to get a few photos, is a bit over the top! Especially seeing as our cold drinks were warm after half an hour and were almost boiling when we ran out, just before we got back! But then we have a fridge in Winnie so we were saved!
The next day it was even hotter - 39°C! Fortunately, Germany was playing Holland (2-1) so we spent hours in the air conditioned library watching the match! Kirsten even had to go and fetch a fleece jacket because they had the air-con turned up too high and it was cold!
That evening we went back into Arches NP for sunset at Delicate Arch - a must. At this time of year though, the sun goes down behind a large rock well before sunset. It was still worth stretching our legs and we were out of the heat of the day. We found a great free spot across from the park entrance and returned the next morning to do some more trails in the Windows Section.
Here is a video of our hikes.
Arches National Park.
