Arches National Park in January

After spending the Holidays with family in Colorado, we hit the road to return to AIROSMITH and home.  Rather than driving directly back to Arizona, we decided to take our time and get in some sight-seeing.

 We scheduled a stopover in Moab Utah in order to visit Arches National Park.  Perhaps I needed to channel some of my Edward Abbey inclinations.

It’s a short stay, leaving us only a day to drive through the park.  We elected to stop at most of the Scenic View Points.  A plus to visiting in January is that there are much fewer people visiting.  We enjoyed the benefit of visiting during the low season.

The title photo is looking out over the valley from the  Courthouse Towers Viewpoint.  From left to right you can see the Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, the Tower of Babel, and The Organ.  It is a favorite view of mine of this valley.

Another lovely view is down Park Avenue, looking toward the Courthouse Towers.



Next stop is Balanced Rock, just off of the main Park road.  Many of these formations are within easy walking distance from the parking areas.



The Windows section is considered to be the heartbeat of the Park.  In a Park that has the largest concentration of natural arches, the Windows area has the largest concentration within the park.  Of note are the North and South Windows, Turret Arch, and the Double Arch.



 There was a welcoming committee of sorts at the Windows.  Ravens for the Windows, and a Camp Robber at the Double Arch.









I didn’t hike up to the Delicate Arch during this visit.  But the Upper and Lower Viewpoints provide an opportunity for some unique views.




The Fiery Furnace Viewpoint provides a great view of the Salt Valley and the La Sal Mountains in the distance.






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