... what a wonderful view!
Click for a larger image
The rock comprising Delicate Arch is around 150 million years old.
When we arrived at the top, there were only a dozen or so other people. That made it nice in that people took turns going out to the arch, as well as NOT going out to the arch to ensure everyone could get a person-free photo of it as well.
The trail had only been 1.5 miles, but it felt like MUCH more. An older Japanese gentleman kept vehemently insisting 'they' were lying about it on the sign. It HAD to be farther!
Us with the famous chunk of rock
Regan's turn...
... and my turn
Looking up
Walking back to the main viewing spot
We headed down a bit after 6 pm. There were a LOT of people coming up.... many carrying big, heavy tripods. The walk down was indeed faster than the walk up had been. We had rabidly drank all of our water on the hike, so we filled up on liquids promptly upon returning to the car.
Cairns mark the way.
The long descent
A short way down the road were a couple more viewpoints from which we could look up at Delicate Arch. By this time, there was a long line of people up at the arch.
Everyone was gathered to watch the sunset... which was still about 2 hours away.
The arch is composed mostly of Entrada Sandstone. The top is a 5-foot thick layer of the Moab Tongue of the Curtis Formation. The opening is 45 feet high and 33 feet wide.
We got back to tent a bit after 8 pm. It was finally nice and cool out. We weren't super hungry because the day had been so draining, but we forced something down anyway, knowing we needed the energy for tomorrow. Small, very fast bats zipped about overhead, picking off the numerous small insects flitting about in the evening sky.
The view from our tent, in front of us...
... and behind us.
Baked beans, canned sliced peaches, and some extremely melted cheese
Nighttime arrived in the canyon.