Category: Hike

Double Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

Arches National Park is one of the few places I’ve been to that feels like a different planet. The red rock walls and sandstone arches are monoliths of a different era.

One of the things I most appreciate about Arches National Park, is the breadth of its hiking options. There the extensive back country with multi-day trails or the parking lot pull outs with quick and easy access. I bet you can guess where we headed with the tots.

Double Arch is a rock formation with not one, but two amazing arches to explore. It’s located at the same parking area as another quick hike to Turret Arch and the North and South Window Arches. All of these arches are within sight of the road and could be seen in about an hour of hiking time. Talk about getting bang for your buck.

Double Arch is a fifteen minute walk from the parking area, plus whatever time is spent scrambling on the boulders. With the tots, Double Arch was an easy, fun excursion where little g pointed out every plant along the way with an “Oh! What That?” and Big E scurried over every boulder along with his energetic cousin.

For me, looking up at the vast row of rock overhead reminded me of my own insignificance. There’s a big world out there, and I’m happy just to explore the parts that I can.

Trail Info: Double Arch
Distance: 0.5 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Tips: It was cold when we went. Just because there are red rocks, doesn’t mean there is heat.

Sand Dune Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

Mountain Dad and I have been to Arches National Park many times in our lives, but never with two rowdy tots in tow. In hiking to Sand Dune Arch, I took a tip from my sister-in-law who said it was the best hike for kids in all of Arches National Park. I whole heartedly agree.

The hike to Sand Dune Arch is more like a quick walk between towering red rock walls. Big E and his cousin loved running ahead and climbing on boulders. I thought it would be the best hike ever – short, fun with a destination to motivate us forward – but apparently little g was less excited about it. She cried the whole time and wouldn’t let me put her down.

The actual arch spans a sandy oasis of fun. In the summer, the tall walls surrounding the area ensures shady sandbox play. In the winter, like when we went, it was a little too cool for my comfort.

If you’re visiting Arches National Park with kids, make sure you take them here. If you’re interested in more than just playing in the sand, Broken Arch trail (1.3 miles) connects to Sand Dune Arch trail.
Trail Info: Sand Dune Arch
Distance: 0.3 miles
Time: 15 minutes
Tips: In the warm weather, this offers a shady oasis and is a great place to play.

Sand Dune, Moab, Utah

One of the most unexpectedly fun stops on our Moab, Utah trip was the giant Sand Dune across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park. It looked as if something scooped away the top layer of the hill, leaving the red innards open for all to enjoy.
The giant sand dune kept Big E and his cousins occupied for over two hours, even in the cold. They “ran” up the slope, jumped from rock out cropings, dug, sculpted and threw sand snow balls.

 

From the top of the Sand Dune our truck looked like a matchbox car. The steep slope was even used as a sledding slope, minus the snow of course. I would not have thought to pull off the road to enjoy the sand here, but I’m glad we did, even if I’m still finding the red stuff  in pockets and crevices.

 

Trail Info:
Location: Across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park. Easiest access is on the southbound side.
Difficulty: Easy
Time:10 min to 3 hours
Tips: Pack some shovels!

 

Bristlecone Pine Loop, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Two things come to mind when I think of Bryce Canyon National Park – High altitude pine forests and red rock hoodoo formations. The Bristlecone Pine Loop incorporates both. Starting at over 9000 ft elevation, the trail winds through ancient forests of pine and spruce trees to beautiful overlook areas where hoodoos can be seen for several miles. 
Big E didn’t want to go on a hike, he wanted to have a picnic. Instead of coercing him, it just took us more than a mile to find the picnic area. Luckily, Big E was interested in pine cones, chipmunks and hoodoos enough that he wasn’t constantly asking where the picnic tables were. Little g fell asleep in the car and Mountain Dad soon snoozed off with her. 

Bristlecone Pine Loop trailhead is located at the Rainbow Point Parking Area in Bryce Canyon National Park, literally the last stop on the road. I chose the hike after reading the book 50 Best Short Hikes in Utah’s National Parks by Ron Adkison. In general the book has great short hike suggestions and trail info, but the author using ‘we’ verbs throughout the descriptions really got on my nerves. WE will not be returning via the right fork, Ron. I will be returning with my son.
The hike was easy, fun, and beautiful, plus it’s part of the Parks’ Hike the Hoodoos program, where Junior Rangers can get a special prize for hiking up to three miles within the park. Just bring photos or rubbings of three different sign medallions to the visitor center.
Bristlecone Pine Loop
Distance: 1 mile round trip
Time: one hour
Difficulty: Easy, relatively flat terrain. Interpretive signs gave Big E and me plenty of things to think about along the way.
Tips: Big E found the picnic area on the east side of the parking lot, just south of the trail head.