Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [20]
After returning to the main trail, stay to the left, and soon you'll reach the turnoff to Landscape Arch, a long (306 ft.), thin ribbon of stone that is one of the most beautiful arches in the park. This is about a 2-mile round-trip trail, and is an absolute must-see during a visit to Arches National Park. Geologically speaking, Landscape Arch is quite mature and may collapse any day. Almost immediately after passing Landscape Arch, look to your right for Wall Arch. From here the trail is less well defined but marked by cairns.
After another .25 mile, a side trip to the left has two spurs leading to Partition Arch, which you could see earlier behind Landscape Arch, and Navajo Arch. The spurs take you right up under the arches. Navajo Arch is shaded, providing a good spot to stop and take a breather while absorbing the view.
Once back on the main trail, which gets rougher and slicker as you hike, it's .5 mile to the strange Double O Arch, where one arch stands atop another. Now you've reached another junction. The left spur leads to the Dark Angel, a dark sandstone spire reaching toward the heavens from the desert floor. The right spur takes you on to the primitive loop, a difficult trip through a dramatic desert environment with some drop-offs and narrow ledges. Along this part of the trail is just one major arch, Private Arch, on a short spur to the right. You'll have the primitive loop almost to yourself—most people turn back at Double O Arch rather than tackle this more difficult trail.
Fiery Furnace
2 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Fiery Furnace parking area.
This is a difficult and strenuous hike to some of the most colorful formations in the park. The name comes not from the summer heat, but rather from the rich reddish glow the rocks take on at sunset. Guided hikes run twice daily from mid-March through October (see "Organized Tours & Ranger Programs," above). You can choose to head out on your own (permit required: $2 adults, $1 children 6–12) for an off-trail adventure, but special restrictions apply, so you must first talk with a ranger at the visitor center. Trails aren't marked, so unless you are experienced in the Fiery Furnace, it's best to join a guided hike.
Tower Arch
1.7 miles one-way. Strenuous. Access: Follow Salt Valley Rd. for 7.1 miles, turn left toward Klondike Bluffs, and go 1.5 miles to the Tower Arch trailhead. (Be careful not to take the left turn just before the Klondike Bluffs Rd., which is a difficult four-wheel-drive road.)
This is a short but rugged hike on a primitive trail. It starts with a steep incline to the top of the bluff and proceeds up and down, with great views of the Klondike Bluffs to the right. Beware of the slickrock that makes up part of the trail, and watch for the cairns leading the way. The hardest part is near the end, where you struggle uphill through loose sand. Your reward is a grand sight: the immense Tower Arch standing among a maze of sandstone spires. Climb up under it for a soothing view while you take a much-deserved break. In spring, the majestic, snowcapped La Sal Mountains can be seen to the east through the arch opening.
Exploring the Backcountry
There are no designated backcountry trails or campsites, and very little of the park is open to overnight camping, but backcountry hiking is permitted. Ask park rangers to suggest routes. No fires are allowed, and hikers must carry their own water and practice low-impact hiking and camping techniques. Those planning to be out overnight need free backcountry permits, available at the visitor center.
Other Sports & Activities
Arches National Park and the surrounding public lands offer plenty for the do-it-yourselfer, and some 50 local outfitters offer excursions of all kinds just outside the park. They range from rugged mountain-bike treks to relatively comfortable four-wheel-drive adventures. You can also rent a canoe