Portions of the trail are only marked with manmade piles of rock called cairns which can be difficult to spot in the dark. Unfortunately, Delicate Arch is hidden the entire hike until the very end. Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall (16 m) freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park, near Moab in Grand County, Utah, United States. The Delicate Arch trail is a wonderful family hike for kids of most ages. People come from all over the world to visit Arches National Park, and visiting Delicate Arch is on the top of many visitors' to-do lists. #2 Best Time to Photograph Delicate Arch. (435) 719-2299. Do not follow signs to Delicate Arch Viewpoint, that is a different trailhead. No matter your fitness levels, you should be able to comfortably finish the hike up to Delicate Arch. Most of the people didn’t have their masks on and I didn’t see people following social distancing. Many people, very few wearing masks. If you have done the hike to see the arch, then you don’t need to bother driving out to this viewpoint. From the parking area you will cross the bridge over salt wash. Delicate Arch Trail is a 5.6 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Moab, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The Hike to Delicate Arch. Although the Delicate Arch trail is only three miles long, it has 480 feet of elevation gain and is rated as strenuous. Hiking to Delicate Arch is a must-do, since it is the only way to get up close to this arch. From the parking area you will cross the bridge over salt wash. Finally all your hard work has paid off when Delicate Arch seems to emerge from its hidden natural amphitheater. The hike to Delicate Arch is 1.6 miles each way. We recommend over-the-shoe traction devices when hiking in winter. Parking: The Delicate Arch trailhead is located at Wolfe Ranch. Only a small stretch of ice, so we didn't need yaktrax. Hiking on towards Delicate Arch, follow the route through the desert scrub until you reach a huge, open, expanse of steep rock. The Delicate Arch Trail is the most popular hike in Arches National Park for good reason. Preparation: Bring lots of water with you! If you don’t have time to do the hike to Delicate Arch, below is the view of it from the Upper Delicate Arch viewpoint (with a long lens). No matter your fitness levels, you should be able to comfortably finish the hike up to Delicate Arch. It's one of the most popular attractions in Arches National Park. Tips for Visiting Delicate Arch #1 The Only Way to Get to Delicate Arch is by Hiking. The opening inside the magnificent Delicate Arch frame measures in at an impressive 46 feet high and 32 feet wide. Best time to go: Early morning or late afternoon/early evening would be good if you want to stay out of the hot sun and beat the crowds. 01/14/2021 We did this hike on a Thursday winter afternoon around 2pm, and there weren’t many people on the trail. Unlike many of the forested Pacific Northwest trails we know, this hike is across sandstone rock faces where the trail can sometimes be hard to find. While it may seem unassuming, … So many other amazing Arches and windows to see that are less busy. The Hike to Delicate Arch. Started about 4pm. The hike has almost no shade so plan accordingly and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. This hike cannot be missed. The upper and lower Delicate Arch viewpoints are a location where you can see the Delicate Arch off in the distance. As one of the best hikes in Arches, you’ll want to know how to visit Delicate arch like a seasoned desert rat. The views at the top were worth every bit of effort getting there. Don’t let photographs deceive you of its size. If the 3 mile Delicate Arch Trail is not possible, then this is second place. Elevation Gain: 480 ft, 146m. Delicate Arch Hike Trailhead. Surprisingly light crowds. Delicate Arch Trail Info: Length: 3 miles, 4.8km round trip Difficulty: Moderately Difficult(the first uphill part is a killer!) We recommend avoiding this trail in midday summer heat. I recommend using traction cleats as there is ice and snow on the trail. You won’t have to contend with the blistering heat of summer, and it’s likely one of the few times you’ll be able to enjoy Delicate Arch without crowds. The trail is marked with cairns pretty thoroughly, but if you get lost look for other hikers or just head uphill, where you will likely meet up with the trail or have a better view of it from above. To get a close up view of Delicate Arch you need to do some hiking. The Delicate Arch hike is a 2.9 mile out and back trail with 480 feet of elevation gain. … Parking is limited and can fill up quickly during peak tourism months so make sure to arrive at the trailhead early. The final view is worth the hike! Length 3.5 miElevation gain 633 ftRoute type Out & back Simply spectacular hike. Carefully consider weather conditions (summer heat or winter ice) and your own health and fitness before beginning this hike. Delicate Arch Trail is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Moab, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. About 6 miles north of Delicate Arch Road is the Devils Garden Area, which includes the 1.9-mile (round-trip) hike to Landscape Arch, Navajo and Partition Arches. Length 3.5 miElevation gain 633 ftRoute type Out & back The walk has a bit of everything - colonial history (a historic shack), pre-history (petroglyphs), s... What every visitor to Arches National Park—and basically everyone headed to Moab, Utah—wants to see the most is Delicate Arch. You will likely recognize the famous arch from the Utah license plates. It’s a much shorter hike, but not as satisfying. Rangers have set up frequent rock piles (or “cairns”) to help guide hikers along the way. As famous as this arch is, there is no secret to getting here. Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall (16 m) freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park, near Moab in Grand County, Utah, United States. We hiked to Delicate Arch in November, starting early-ish in the morning of a sunny (but cool) day. It is mostly uphill, but the trail is very developed. Was excited to do this and knew it would be busy, but was not prepared for HOW busy. The entire hike is only about 1.6 mi each way. The upper and lower Delicate Arch viewpoints are a location where you can see the Delicate Arch off in the distance. 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