Double Arch at Arches National Park – what an incredible sight to behold! Here's my experience and a sprinkle of scientific wonder:
Impressive Sights: The moment you stand beneath Double Arch, you're dwarfed by its colossal presence. It's like nature's grand masterpiece.
Trail Magic: The hike to Double Arch is an easy, short stroll, perfect for all ages. And it's a good idea to go early or late to avoid the crowds.
Photographer's Dream: This place is a shutterbug's paradise. The contrast between the blue sky and the reddish-orange rock is pure eye candy.
Pro Tips: Sunsets at Double Arch are out of this world, but prepare for cooler temps when the sun dips. Keep an eye on the weather – summer storms can be intense.
Now, let's dive into some science:
Formation: Double Arch is an example of a pothole arch. These form when water, ice, and abrasive sediments carve through a fin of rock. Over thousands of years, this process creates the stunning arches we see today.
Geological Wonder: The Entrada Sandstone, which makes up Double Arch, was deposited in ancient tidal flats. The layering of different sediment types and ages is what gives the sandstone its unique color patterns.
Arch Erosion: Erosion never stops here. Wind, water, and frost are the artists responsible for shaping and reshaping these magnificent formations.
Double Arch is not just an enchanting sight but a living, breathing example of geological processes in action. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a photographer, or a science geek, this place is a slice of heaven. Get ready to be awed by the forces of nature and...
Read moreTo get there, drive 9.2 miles up the Arches Entrance Road, and then take the first right after Balanced Rock into the Windows section of the park. You will follow this road 2.7 miles to its end at a circle for the Windows Trail. The Double Arch Trailhead is located at the north end of the circle at the far north of the parking lot.While here, visitors might as well enjoy the surrounding sites; the trail to Double Arch is so short, and there are so many attractions packed into such a small area as the Windows. The Parade of Elephants, Turret Arch, the Windows, Cove Arch, Ribbon Arch, Elephant Butte, and the Cove of Caves are all within half a mile of each other. Double Arch is a close-set pair of natural arches in Arches National Park in Utah. Double Arch was formed differently from most of the arches in the park. It is what is known as a pothole arch, formed by water erosion from above rather than more typical erosion from the side. The larger opening has a span of 150 feet (45 m) and a height of 105 feet (32 m). These dimensions give the arch the tallest opening and second-longest span in the park. From the Double Arch parking area it is a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) round trip to the arches that may be wheelchair accessible, with assistance. No guardrails or fences prevent visitors from exploring directly beneath and...
Read moreDouble Arch is a unique land formation in The Windows section of Arches National Park that visitors can enjoy hiking to and viewing during visits.
Not to be confused with the similarly named Double O Arch in the Devil's Garden in the north, this is the popular double arch structure located near the North and South Window Arches along The Windows Drive in the eastern section of Arches NP.
Th Double Arch trail is short (.25 mile) and easy. Th trailhead is at the opposite end of the carpark from where you start your hike to see North and South Windows and Turret Arches.
Here you find a situation where erosion has resulted in two separate arches stemming outward from the same large rock structure. There are two windows as well as an open top which to view through. This creates a unique land formation and landscape which to explore and photograph.
In the end, we really enjoyed seeing Double Arch and found it well worth the extra 20-30 minutes spent at this location in the Park. It is an easy and convenient inclusion to your hike schedule in the Windows section of Arches...
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