This evaporite layer is the main cause of the park’s abundance of arches and other geologic features as it eroded and weathered away, leaving behind the stunning sandstone designs, such as Ham Rock (5472ft/1668m) and The Organ (4764ft/1452m). Geologically, the current Arches National Park sits on top of an evaporite layer (a.k.a. km.) of area is home to the highest density of natural rock arches in the entire world. Situated just outside the city of Moab, Utah, Arches National Park’s 119.811 sq. Three Gossips (l), Tower of Babel (c), The Organ (r) Other iconic peaks in the park include the massive Tower of Babel (4682ft/1427m) and Sheep Rock (4373ft/1333m), which are both popular amongst climbers. After enjoying the locale, retrace your route to the trailhead.The park contains just 7 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Elephant Butte (5656ft/1724m). Double O Arch is most unusual, one arch on top of another. When you get back on the main trail from Navajo Arch, go another half mile to Double O Arch on a fairly rough trail that is mostly on slickrock and a little hard to follow.

It collapsed in August 2008.Īnother quarter mile up the trail, you’ll see a short spur trail going off to the left to Partition and Navajo Arches. In this section you used to pass by Wall Arch on your right, but no more. The trail is still easy to follow, though. Be careful through here and keep an eye on your kids. Geologically speaking, it’s likely to collapse any day.Īfter Landscape Arch the trail gets primitive for a short stretch, where it climbs over the ends of fins and is marked with cairns.

Don’t wait too long to see Landscape Arch. The arch is also famous for the extreme slenderness of its stone span. On the geologic time scale, Landscape Arch is a senior citizen among arches in the park. The right-hand fork takes you on a short spur trail down to Pine Tree and Tunnel Arches, definitely worth adding 0.4 mile to your hike.Īt 0.8 mile you come to Landscape Arch, which has an opening spanning an incredible 306 feet, which may make it the longest stone span in the world. To go to Landscape Arch and Double O Arch, take the left-hand fork. About a quarter mile from the Devils Garden trailhead, the trail splits. This first part of the Devils Garden hike is a “super trail”-flat, easy, double-wide, and usually heavily populated with hikers. This trail takes hikers to Double O Arch, a most unusual formation where one arch is on top of another. Be sure to stay on the loop instead of turning into the Devils Garden Campground. The trailhead is at the end of the road where it makes a small loop. Maps: USGS Arches National Park Trails Illustrated Arches National Parkįinding the trailhead: Drive north into the park on the main road for 19 miles and park in the large parking area at the Devils Garden Trailhead. Start: Devils Garden Trailhead Parking Area

Collapse of landscape arch