Hiking Devil's Garden

We got up early this morning to beat the heat and the crowds to the Devil's Garden trailhead. We did beat the heat, but the parking lot was filling fast when we arrived and set out on our hike. The first, and easiest, stretch leads to Landscape Arch, the longest arch in the park (and maybe in the world). Chunks have been falling off the span, leaving it only 6 feet thick in some places. Visitors are advised to see it while they have a chance--and no one is allowed to hike under it anymore.

Once we passed Landscape Arch, the trail became much less like a walk in the park. It required rock scrambling, traversing slickrock slopes, and hiking along narrow fins high above the valley below. At each point the hiker is cautioned to check for the next rock cairn before proceeding. These cairns are rather casual, and in some places they are non-existent, but we managed to pick our way safely along and arrived finally at Double O Arch.

After celebrating briefly, we headed back. On the return trip, we took the side spurs to see some additional arches: Black Arch, Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, Pine Tree Arch, and Tunnel Arch. Each one was different from the others, and all were impressive.

Five hours and nearly seven miles later, we got back to the parking lot, definitely ready for lunch and some rest. We ate lunch in the picnic area and decided to return to the park another day to see some of the rest of the sights. On the way out, we did stop at Skyline Arch, just to take a photo and continue on our way.

Tonight we played some Rummikub, and I actually won two out of three. Tomorrow we're going to Canyonlands, which is only an hour away.

We're been having the devil of a time connecting to the Internet. Our Droids are having no issues, but the Verizon modem keeps hiccuping in the router. Even when it says it is connected, no joy. Very frustrating.