Delicate Arch

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Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is a 52 feet tall^[1] freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

It is the most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on both Utah license plates and a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996. The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch^[2].

1 History
2 Geology
3 Hiking to the Arch
4 Wildlife
5 Controversy
6 Gallery
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History

Because of its distinctive shape, the arch was known as "the Chaps" and "the Schoolmarm's Bloomers" by local cowboys. It was given its current name by Frank Beckwith, leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, who explored the area in the winter of 1933-1934.^[3]

The arch played no part in the original designation of the area as a U.S. National Monument in 1929, and was not included within the original boundaries; it was added when the monument was enlarged in 1938.

[edit] Geology

Delicate Arch is formed of Entrada sandstone.^[4] The original sandstone fin was gradually worn away by weathering and erosion, eventually leaving the arch. Other arches in the park were formed the same way but due to placement and less dramatic shape are not as famous.

[edit] Hiking to the Arch

Delicate Arch is located at the end of a moderately strenuous, 1.5 mile (2.4 km) hiking trail from the parking area at Wolfe Ranch. Taking thirty to forty-five minutes each way, the round trip is slightly more than 3 miles long and the Arch is completely hidden from view on this trail.

The first third of the hike is through rugged, brushy terrain and gains slightly in elevation. The middle third of the hike is along the face of an exposed slickrock outcrop and is strenuous due to the gain in elevation, but offers better views of the geology in the salt valley. Cairns (piles of rocks) have been placed by visitors and park staff to roughly suggest the otherwise unmarked trail to the top, yet visitors tend to wander all over the huge expanse of completely exposed sandstone. The latter third of the trail is the most rugged, as hikers have now nearly reached the "top" of the plateau. The Arch is still invisible, and the trail runs around outcrops, through washes and between stands of twisted brush and trees. The trail may be easier to follow, but meanders as parts become muddy and difficult to walk through. During the 2004 fall season, the trail clearly followed the left (northern) side of the plateau, and brought visitors along a narrow shelf nearly 150 feet above a dry wash.

The arch comes into view suddenly around a corner in the trail and frames the La Sal Mountains to the southeast. The immediate area around the Arch offers views of the southern expanse of the park, and has unguarded cliffs plunging one hundred feet or more.^[5]^[6]

[edit] Wildlife

During the summer months, White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) nest in the top of the arch.^[7]

[edit] Controversy

In May of 2006, climber Dean Potter made the first recorded free solo (no ropes, or protection) ascent of this formation. Under the rules active at the time, climbing Delicate Arch was not explicitly forbidden; however, it was understood that the named arch formations should not be climbed. Since that climb, the Park Service has closed the loophole by disallowing climbs on any named arch within the park year-round. Also, slacklining and the placement of new fixed anchors on new climbs is also prohibited. Controversy erupted when photographs taken after Potter's climb appeared to show damage caused by a climbing technique called top roping. Potter has stated on several occasions that he never top roped the Arch and no photos exist of Potter using a top rope setup on the Arch. It is possible that a previous climber had top roped the Arch leaving the rope scars.^[8]