Day 4: From Bryce to Moab
Adventures, Arches, and a Little Mayhem
Balanced Rock
After two fun-filled days exploring Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos and fairy-tale landscapes, it was time to hit the road toward Moab, Utah. We picked this spot as our base camp because it is perfectly positioned as a launchpad to explore both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Our friends have been raving about Moab, especially the springtime motorcycle and ATV rides, so we decided to join the party. It was our first time here, but we were pretty sure we were about to get our adventure on.
We rolled out of Bryce City after a leisurely breakfast because, honestly, who needs to rush when there is good coffee and a hot breakfast? Our plan was to arrive at Arches by mid-afternoon. Arches is roughly ten times smaller than Rhode Island, US’s smallest state. It is more like a petite but mighty park coming in around 119 square miles. We knew we could cruise through the scenic drive, scout some trails for late afternoon, and still catch a sunset.
The entrance to Arches is very humble, just a small sign near the highway. Once you drive through the gate, you are greeted by an informative visitors center and a gift shop. Then it is off to the main event. What really caught us off guard was what we saw at the top of the mountain. It was an otherworldly landscape filled with topographical stone formations. They are scattered all over the park, unlike the neatly arranged parks we have visited before, which makes them even more fascinating. It is like nature’s giant geological Jenga game, just waiting for someone to ask, “How does that stay up there for hundreds of years?”
The highlights of the park include Balanced Rock, which looks like it is ready to topple but somehow defies physics; Fiery Arch, which is a fiery red masterpiece; Landscape Arch; Delicate Arch, which is the selfie king of the park; and Double Arch. Each of these formations is a natural wonder that makes you stop dead in your tracks and wonder how it is even possible for these structures to still be standing. It is almost like Mother Nature’s version of “If it is not broken, do not fix it.”
A fun fact about Utah is that it was experiencing record-breaking temperatures. During our visit, it was a cool 87 degrees. Yes, I said cool, by Utah summer standards. The park has very little shade, so I can only imagine what it is like during the blazing summer months when the sun turns the heat up. After an evening of soaking in the sights, we headed into Moab for the next two nights.
Once we had a chance to enjoy a refreshing and much-needed shower, we wandered into town. Moab is basically a magnet for tourists, with endless dining options, quirky shops, and enough outdoor gear to outfit an entire army. Toss in the chaos of spring break, and it becomes a lively and vibrant scene. We enjoyed a delicious protein packed hamburger with a side of french fries topped off with a cool beer on the sidewalk corner patio. Perfect opportunity to people watch and there were lots of people.
After four days of hiking, we decided to call it an early night, topped off with a relaxing soak in the hot tub. We met many families traveling for spring break, and it was fun swapping stories about our park adventures, both in Utah and elsewhere. Who knew that talking about rocks and hikes could be such a bonding experience?
Three Gossips @ Courthouse Towers
Arches = 4.42 miles hiked