With my sleep schedule still on east coast time, I rose before dark to drive another two hours into Utah. The terrain vacillated between green-covered mesas and stark red rock rising up alongside the road. In the distance, I could spot the San Juan mountains dappled with snow, a contrast to the landscape immediately surrounding me.

When I last visited Arches, I had to be strategic about avoiding the crowds, an ever-growing concern for popular national parks within the United States. This time, however, I had a timed ticket entry, a new concept for Arches that had been recently adopted due to successful implementation in other parks.

I was relieved that the number of cars along Arche’s main road was minimal. I had no trouble finding parking at my first destination: Broken Arch.

I hadn’t yet explored this particular trail, so I was eager to get started. The sun was out, but the wind brought an unseasonable chill to the air. It was still in the 30s when I set out, content in my winter coat and snug toque.

The air smelled so fresh, and I was happy as can be strolling along in the desert. There weren’t many other visitors milling about, and I quickly fell into my own hiking rhythm. The trail was a lollipop, bringing me alongside of Broken Arch and then Sand Dune Arch back near the parking lot.

The landscape provided such interesting arrangements of desert foliage and geological wonders. I didn’t get tired of looking at the unique arches, the park’s namesake.

After completing the hike, I had a quick lunch and drove a few miles further. During my 47 parks trip, I had done a rigorous loop called Devil’s Garden. I didn’t have the energy (or interest) in redoing the whole trek, but I casually made my way in and up into the rock formations.

More arches!

Unique trails!

When my legs were tired and my mind was ready for something new, I took my time backtracking. Arches is a genuine nature playground. Even with the strict guidelines in place to protect the desert landscape, there are still lots of opportunities for rock scrambling and exploration.

I was happy to rediscover fresh and wonder-full phenomena in a well-loved place.