So now we come to Spruce Tree Arch, and you can
see Mary Ann at the bottom left of this photo. This too, was a
bit of a hike, but nothing like Delicate Arch.
From Spruce Tree Arch we drove a bit to Fiery Furnace,
a place that looks suspiciously like Bryce Canyon. I am tempted
to call these features "Hoodoos"; a name given them
by the Ute tribe who lived in the area of Bryce canyon. The belief
is that these were once very evil people that were turned to stone.
A bit further into the park brings you to Skyline
Arch, which fascinated me because of its steep inclination but
more importantly, its close proximity to the road (yuk yuk).
Okay - I can't help using these neat, deformed and
dead trees to frame rock features. So sue me.
Here, on the Devil's Garden trail, is perhaps the
most incredible of all arches. Landscape Arch, which measures
306 feet from base to base, is truly an incredible sight. In 1991,
some hikers heard a cracking sound, and before their eyes, 90
tons of the right side of Landscape Arch fell to the ground. What
you see is the remaining arch, and in the foreground the remains.
This is the only arch in the park that hikers are not permitted
to stand under - for good reason!
The south section of the park contains a remarkable
set of features known as the Windows Section. You can see both
North and South Window arches in this photo I took at the foot
of the hill. I didn't think I'd be able to get both arches in
one photo, but if you stand back enough they both fit rather nicely.
Here I am under North Window arch - jumping up and
down like an idiot.
Through Turret Arch you can see South Arch, and
sadly, we say goodbye to one of the most incredible places on
planet Earth.
Back
to Tony's Main Page