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Arches National Park, UT

Oct 17 - Oct 24, 2015 -- $1250 ★

In the remote Utah backcountry, lies a magical world of naturally formed sandstone arches, canyons, mesas, and buttes called Arches National Park We will be hiking the finest and most sought out districts of this colorful park. While there are terrain challenges at times, mileages are low and rewards are often easy to come by. Colossal sandstone arches and various other canyons and natural bridges dot the landscape, not to mention lizards, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and possibly even black bear.


Our trek will visit just about every arch in the park that is accessible by established trail. Plus, we'll see many famous rock formations such as Delicate Arch (it's on the Utah license plate), Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, The 3 Gossips and Double O Arch. We'll hike along beautiful canyons and incredible mesas with unobstructed views.


The trails through Arches National Park are often unbelievably easy and enjoyable to hike, but not always. There will be some sandy patches, slickrock with dropoffs and a few places where scrambling (using hands and butt) are necessary. It's pure hiking pleasure.


The rewards are many. Our mileage will be kept low and we will be carrying day packs only. In October, the days are getting shorter, which means great sunsets and amazing star-gazing, plus the campground has a (free) nightly ranger talk to enrich your experience.


What a great time to enjoy the Fall. If you want to do a day-hiking only trip, this is the trip for you. Why not join us for an unforgettable trip?



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with an occasional chance of rainfall and on rare occasion, snowfall. Here is the historical October weather. Be prepared with lots of sun protection and water containers that add up to 8 liters of capacity.



Trip Leaders

Deb Lusk
Donna Farber

Cost

$1250 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Salt Lake City (SLC), personal equipment and any restaurant meals eaten off the trail.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, Round Trip transportation from Salt Lake City to the National Park, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park permits, insurance, campground fees and awesome guides.



Important Notes

Day-Hiking / Base Camping only


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, October 17, 2015

Fly into Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to SpringHill Suites by Marriott Salt Lake City Airport, 4955 Wiley Post Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, 801-532-6633

Equipment shakedown

"Before" measurements taken

Trail mix distribution

Go to REI Salt Lake City, 3285 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, (801) 486-2100 for last minute equipment

Go out for dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Sunday, October 18, 2015

Early (6AM) wake-up

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage. Try to keep this to a small amount of stuff.

Free breakfast at Hotel

Car shuttle 4 hours to Moab

Have a picnic lunch at Arches National Park Visitors Center

Watch 10 minute video and pick up permit for Fiery Furnace at Visitor's Center

Drive to Park Avenue Viewpoint, elevation 4550'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles on the Park Avenue Trail past the 3 Gossips to the Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, elevation 4250'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles back to the shuttle vehicle(s)

Drive to Balanced Rock, elevation 4950'

Day-Hike a 0.3 loop around Balanced Rock

Drive to Devil's Garden Campground, elevation 5200'

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground Canyon Wren Site, elevation 5200'

Miles today: 2.3. Total miles: 2.3


Monday, October 19, 2015

Drive to Delicate Arch Lower Viewpoint Trail, elevation 4300'

Day-Hike 0.5 miles to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint, elevation 4500'

Day-Hike 0.5 miles back to shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 4300'

Drive to Delicate Arch Upper Viewpoint Trail, elevation 4350'

Day-Hike 1.5 miles to Delicate Arch, the iconic image of Arches, elevation 4750'

Lunch

Day-Hike 1.5 miles back to shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 4350'

Drive to Devil's Garden Campground, elevation 5200'

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground Canyon Wren Site, elevation 5200'

Miles today: 4.0. Total miles: 6.3


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Drive to Fiery Furnace Trailhead, elevation 4750'

Day-Hike 2.0 miles through Fiery Furnace. This trip will take at least 3 hours.

The following is directly from the Arches National Park Website

Everyone attending the tour should be aware of the demanding nature of this hike and properly equipped for current conditions. During the hike, participants must walk and climb on irregular and broken sandstone, along narrow ledges above drop-offs, and in loose sand. There are gaps which must be jumped and narrow places that you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some of these places, you must hold yourself off the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet. Due to the maze-like nature of the terrain, all participants are committed to completing the hike once they enter the Fiery Furnace. To better judge the hike's difficulty, you can watch a video or view a photo gallery.


All participants must wear good hiking shoes or boots that have gripping soles. No sandals or high heeled shoes are allowed. Each person must carry at least one quart or liter of water. Water and other gear should be stowed in a backpack so that hands are free to be used to navigate the terrain.

Drive to Devil's Garden Campground, elevation 5200'

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground Canyon Wren Site, elevation 5200'

Miles today: 2.0. Total miles: 8.3


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Drive on dirt and gravel road to the Tower Arch Trailhead, elevation 5100'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles to Tower Arch via the Marching Men, elevation 5100'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles back to the shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 5100'

Drive to Balanced Rock, have lunch here.

Drive to Double Arch Trailhead.

Day-Hike 0.5 round trip miles to Double Arch

Drive to the Windows Trail

Day-Hike 0.7 miles to Turret Arch, North Window and South Window

Day-Hike 0.7 miles on the Windows Primitive Loop Trail back to the shuttle vehicle(s)

Drive to Devil's Garden Campground, elevation 5200'

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground Canyon Wren Site, elevation 5200'

Miles today: 3.9. Total miles: 12.2


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Walk from camp to Devil's Garden Trail

Day-Hike 0.4 miles to Tunnel Arch, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 0.3 miles to Pine Tree Arch, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 0.8 miles to Devil's Garden Primitive Loop Trail, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 1.6 miles to Private Arch Trail, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 0.3 round trip miles to Private Arch and back

Day-Hike 0.3 miles to Double O Arch

Day-Hike 0.4 miles to Dark Angel

Day-Hike 1.2 miles to trail intersection

Day-Hike 0.7 miles to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch

Day-Hike 1.1 miles past Landscape Arch back to the trailhead

Walk back to Devil's Garden Campground

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground Canyon Wren Site, elevation 5200'

Miles today: 7.1. Total miles: 19.3


Friday, October 23, 2015

Day-hike 1.3 miles via Broken Arch to Sand Dune Arch

Day-hike 0.9 miles back to camp

End of hiking. Break camp

Miles today: 2.2. Total miles: 21.5

Shuttle 4 hours back to Salt Lake City

Check into SpringHill Suites by Marriott Salt Lake City Airport, 4955 Wiley Post Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, 801-532-6633

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony. Dinner not included in trip cost.

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, October 24, 2015

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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