Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [18]
Back on the road, continue to Skyline Arch, which doubled in size in 1940 when a huge boulder tumbled out of it. The next and final stop is the often crowded parking area for the Devils Garden Trailhead. From here you can hike to some of the most unusual arches in the park, including Landscape Arch, among the longest natural rock spans in the world.
From the trailhead parking lot, it's 18 miles back to the visitor center.
Organized Tours & Ranger Programs
From mid-March through October, rangers lead guided hikes into the Fiery Furnace area twice daily, by reservation. Cost is $8 per adult, $4 per child 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. The hikes often fill 2 to 3 days in advance; reservations can be made in person up to 7 days ahead. As you hike along, a ranger describes the desert plants, points out hard-to-find arches, and discusses the geology and natural history of the Fiery Furnace. Also see the section on the Fiery Furnace under "Day Hikes," below. From March through October, rangers lead daily nature walks from various park locations. Evening campfire programs, from April through October, cover topics such as rock art, geological processes, and wildlife. Check the schedule at the visitor center and on bulletin boards throughout the park.
Historic & Man-Made Attractions
Although not many have left their mark in this rugged area, a few intrepid Ute Indians and pioneers have spent time here. Just off the Delicate Arch Trail is a Ute petroglyph panel that includes etchings of horses and possibly of bighorn sheep. Also, near the beginning of the trail is Wolfe Ranch. Disabled Civil War veteran John Wesley Wolfe and his son Fred moved here from Ohio in 1898; John's daughter Flora, her husband, and their two children arrived in 1907. They left in 1910, after which John's cabin was destroyed by a flash flood. The cabin used by Flora's family survived and has been preserved by the Park Service. You'll see the cabin, a root cellar, and a corral.
Day Hikes
Most trails here are short and relatively easy, although because of the hot summer sun and lack of shade, it's wise to wear a hat and carry plenty of water on any jaunt expected to last more than 1 hour.
SHORTER TRAILS
Balanced Rock Trail
.3 mile RT. Easy. Access: Balanced Rock parking area, on east side of main park road.
This short, easy walk is perfect for visitors who want to get out and stretch their legs and incidentally get a great close-up view of the huge and precariously perched Balanced Rock. The loop takes you around the formation. The .16-mile round-trip trail is wheelchair accessible.
Broken Arch
1.2 mile RT. Easy. Access: End of Devils Garden Campground.
This easy hike, with little elevation change, traverses sand dunes and slickrock to the arch. Watch for the rock cairns, in some places poorly defined, marking the path through the arch. A little farther along is a connecting trail to Sand Dune Arch, about .5 mile out and back. At the end of the loop is a .25-mile walk along the paved campground road back to your car.
Double Arch
.25 mile one-way. Easy. Access: Double Arch parking area, in Windows section of park.
This easy walk, with very little elevation change, leads you to the third-largest arch opening in the park—don't be fooled by how small it looks from the parking area. Along your way, look for the Parade of Elephants, off to the left. Once there, you can go a little farther and climb right up under the arch—just be very careful not to disturb the delicate desert vegetation or natural features. To the right of Double Arch are several alcoves that may one day become arches. If you're visiting in spring, look for the sego lily, Utah's state flower. It has three lovely