Last Day at Arches National Park

Bob and I decided to give the difficult primitive trail to Double O Arch a try. We also needed to see the two arches that were north of the trail that we passed on Monday. It was a little warmer on Tuesday, but we still needed our jackets for the first part of the trail as it is in the shade and the wind whistles between the rocks early in the day.

We started the trail and made the detour to Tunnel Arch. This one was interesting because there was the large arch and a much smaller arch to the left.

Pine Tree Arch was next and we think it got its name because of the pine tree growing beneath it.

Then it was on to the primitive trail. It started just beyond Landscape Arch. The beginning of the trail had that wonderful deep red sand. Most of the trail went up and down for the first mile or so.

We couldn't figure out why the trail was marked difficult. Then at  two miles out, we found out why. We came to a slickrock wall that required a step up of about 3 1/2 feet. I couldn't make it up. Bob went up and around the ledge and said it looked a little hairy so I cried 'Uncle' and we started the hike back to the trailhead. We figured we made it about 3/4 of the way to Double O Arch.

Since it was our last day at Arches, we started packing to make Wednesday an easy travel day. We weren't going far, just to Moab and the OK RV Park. Time to wait for mail!

MOUSE UPDATE: WHILE AT ARCHES WE CAUGHT TWO OF THE CRITTERS IN THE STICKY TRAPS WE ALWAYS CARRY. OUR MUNCHIES AND BREAD ARE NOW IN HARD PLASTIC CONTAINERS. TAKE THAT YOU CRITTERS!