On the fourth day of our short five-day vacation after a delightfully quiet night camped near Hamburger Rock BLM just outside The Needles District of Canyonlands and after repacking the back of Bill’s truck hit the road headed to Arches National Park.
A quick stop at Newspaper Rock had me wondering what it all means. Archaeologists think “the figures represent storytelling, doodling, hunting magic, clan symbols, ancient graffiti, or something else.” What do they know? It’s all open to interpretation. I see the 2000 year history of people.
We continued to drive through intriguing geologic and more recent cultural history like quickly flipping the pages of a book. Currently called Mario’s Place with a sign hung on the gate to prove it—or somewhere in the general area—Bill was told a women once lived in the shadow of Shay’s Mountain and had several men living around the acreage that she could choose which one to bed any night. Known as polyandry when a woman has multiple husbands instead of the more frequently heard of polygamy—multiple wives—that’s usually heard of in Utah. (Please remember the source.)
Junction UT211 & US191 Church Rock then north up Dry Valley. Would you have called this Church Rock?
Maybe an arch in the making. Over time cracks, joints, and folds in the sandstone are saturated with water which then freezes and melts over time causing rock to break away and eventually can create an arch.
Like Wilson Arch seen a little further down the road named after Joe Wilson, a local pioneer who had a cabin nearby in Dry Valley. Can you imagine living here in the early 1880s likely a Mormon farmer or his wife as the earliest of white settlers scratching a life from the red and white rocky landscape? Not for me, but I’d love to wander into this land for many days to discover some of its secrets.
Past Hole in the rock, where we did not stop, which is referred to as an historic 5,000 square foot home and now an unusual gift shop and trading post. Read tourist trap.
Stopped in Moab for lunch at Eddie McStiff’s with an outside eating area that’s dog friendly. The server even brought Sasha a bowl of ice water. I had a delicious Gyros sandwich, which are difficult to find. I’d recommend the place. Then Bill went to a book store while I thought about taking Sasha to the BARKery. Seriously, I think a self-serve dog wash is a great idea.
Finally crossed the Colorado River and entered Arches National Park. Only waited in line to enter the park a few minuets, not so the next morning when we returned. Stopped at the Visitor Center for a Junior Ranger book.
Then drove up, literally up, the park road with our first stop at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint.
Once again, no time for hiking so most of the photos are drivebys including the iconic Three Gossips. Wondering what they’re talking about?
Or quick overlook stops like at Baby Arch, to the left, and Sheep Rock to the right, possibly an ancient arch that is no more.
Past the Great Wall with many arches. All of these places calling to hike in closer. Unfortunately Arches is not dog friendly.
Two trails lead to Delicate Arch, or at least views of it. Back in 1983, Bill was married under Delicate Arch which required a 3-mile round trip hike. On this day we settled with a 100 yard walk to the lower viewpoint so as not to leave Sasha in the truck too long.
Back to the main park road headed to the campground, which of course was full, we made another stop at the Fiery Furnace overlook named not for heat but the iron red colors of the fines and spires that make up the landscape. Trails lead through this labyrinth that looks like it would be easy to get lost in.
Saw several more arches on the return drive back out of the park.
Then we searched for a place to camp along the Colorado River Recreation Area for our last night before the October 1st drive back to Kanab via more back roads.
BTW, today being veterans day, a BIG Thank You to all those who served in the US Military, is also a FEE FREE day for your National Park sites.
Great post. Absolutely love Arches NP and have enjoyed many hikes to most of your pics. Twice we were lucky enough to get a campsite due to a cancellation!
I’d really like to hike there, which would be a problem with the dog. When we were there the campground was first come first serve and full. But where we camped was divine.
Wonderful Photos, Gaelyn!I really like the way you not only show beautiful photos but also comment on history of some of the places, explain a little about the geologic formations, and simply convey the joy that you are experiencing.
Thank you for the kind words George. Somehow learning a bit of cultural and natural history helps me better connect to the land.
Heard rumors about a change in the free camping where I was at Anza-Borrego. Know anything?
I never realized so many of the arches are within view of the road – good to know since “not dog-friendly” limits our access as well. The 3 Gossips are wonderful – imagine all they’ve seen 🙂
Yes, big changes in AB boondocking with restrictions on distance from road, dogs, campfires, etc. Enough to make us reconsider if we want to get solar for the rig 🙁
I’m sure there are lots more arches only seen when hiking. Bummed to hear about the changes at AB. Keep me posted please.
I’ve not yet been to Arches or Canyonlands. They’ll probably both be on my next long road trip.
I liked your unique perspective on these familiar landmarks. Again, you provide a context for these places that I’ve never seen before. Wonderful.
I highly recommend both parks, with no dog and plans to possibly have to camp out of the parks.
Thank you so much for your kind words Shane. I believe life is about the journey as much as the destination.
Stunning photos once again but the newspaper rock is the one that grabbed my imagination. Well done Gaelyn. Keep well Diane
Thanks Diane. I’ve never seen so many petroglyphs on one panel.
Gosh, seeing all these photos is the next best thing to being there…almost. Some of them look like they’re carved out of chocolate, or am I just craving? I didn’t know arches were formed that way, thanks. I’d like to sit down in front of newspaper rock and make my own story! I’ll skip the polyandry part. 🙂
More like caramel, you must be jonesing. I believe if looked at long enough a story would materialize from Newspaper Rock.
Fee Free in Florida State Parks too. The joke’s one me that I thought you were in Arches now. Love the comparison pictures of the three gossips. I’d call anyplace that painted its name in giant white letters on beautiful red rock TACKY!
Nice to hear FL SPs are offering fee free also.
I am unfortunately sitting in Bill’s house trying to get over some kind of crud that’s keeping us from exploring. Plus waiting for my 5er to be repaired. 🙁
Hole in The Rock – we drove right past it but honestly, I was tempted just to see the inside. We stayed in Moab for 2 nights and it’s a pretty great little town. We were there in January so really quiet and cold, but I can imagine how crazy busy it gets in the summer. Love, Love, Love Arches, so many spectacular vistas to take in. As always, great photos!
Thanks Patti. Moab does seem like a nice town, better during the off season.
What a trip you took us one. I haven’t been to the arches since the 1980’s. Well time to get back.
I gaped at the Hole in the Rock picture. We used to drive by it every once in a while when we lived in central Utah in the 1960’s. We never stopped. We would never do that. My mother said that she talked to somebody who did and the report was tourist trap is right.
Amazing to hear that tourist traps have such staying power. It looks exactly as I remember it.
I love the polyandry story. I can just imagine a bunch of old guys watching television in the various cabins scattered around the property wondering if their woman was going to come interfere with their tv watching.
You might have to make a reservation to even get into Arches, especially during summer. No thanks to most of the tourist traps.
Your latest posts are bringing back some great memories. Glad we were able to visit when we did, a few years ago. Sadly, I think your comment about needing a reservation to visit Arches, and a number of other parks, is soon to become a reality. Too many people wanting to experience our parks, which is a good, and bad, thing.
Between the #FindYourPark, Utah tourism and next year’s NPS centennial pushes I believe I’ll swear off NPs for a while. We are sadly loving them to death.