Photos by Richard R. Barron
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park is an icon of the American Southwest, standing majestically on the rim of a deep bowl of eroded Entrada sandstone in southeastern Utah. In October 2004, Abby and I got married there. Since we exchanged vows in the morning, we had the arch mostly to ourselves. But at sunset, it's an entirely different environment, with the ridge at the approach to the arch crowded with photographers anxious to get a shot of this famous landmark during the Golden Moment. At the same time, tourists are interested in posing under the arch, and inevitably someone yells at them to get out of the way. This probably happens every night, as it did the night I was there in October 2005.
The hike to the arch is beautiful unto itself, as are most slickrock hikes. So first, the approach, including the area across the canyon to the south...
As one comes around a slickrock cliff in which the trail has been blasted out by the National Park Service, the Delicate Arch area becomes visible...
With the weather so perfect, I wasn't surprised by the turnout to see the sun go down...
If you can forgive the crowds, it's well worth the hike...
All Content Copyright 2005 by Richard R. Barron
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