This is my second post of my recent trip to Moab, Utah. Read the first post about the Delicate Arch hiking experience.
Arches in different sizes and shapes sprawl the Arches National Park near Moab. I’m certain you’d be left in total awe seeing just one arch. But if you get to see all of them, it would be a priceless experience you’d keep forever in your heart.Val and I chose not to miss any of the arch. So, on our 2nd day at the Arches National Park, we decided to take the Devil's Garden Trail.
Most visitors, when they hike the Devil's Garden Trail, they stop and turn back after seeing the Landscape Arch. That's only about a mile of walking from the trailhead. Probably because the Landscape Arch is one of the must-see features of the Arches National Park. However, if you are up to a challenge and want to give your life some unforgettable thrills, a primitive trail awaits you after the Landscape Arch.
The primitive trail warns everyone at the trailhead of the difficult route that lies ahead. Difficult, as I had experienced, must be taken seriously. Difficult must be defined in BIG BOLD letters - to emphasize that the trail is not for the faint-hearted trekkers.
Following the trail is quite easy as it is well marked with cairns (stacks of stones).The first few miles were exhausting as I had to adjust my pacing and breathing to keep up with Val who seemed to know the trail by heart. Most of the times we were going uphill, climbing rocks and admiring the trail, including the desert life, as it winds to the amazing natural wonders.
Few more miles, we were at the Partition Arch and Navajo Arch. These arches had to be seen off the main trail. There were signs that says where to take the side tracks. The two arches were pure hidden scenic beauties.
Proceeding to the main trail, through narrow paths, the thrill began to mount. Before reaching the next arch - the Double O Arch - I was presented with two heavy options to choose from -- go on or go back. I had to make a decision if I should continue with the hike after seeing with my two round eyes that the trail had to include balancing on a rock beam about 5-foot width. It would have been easier to cross had the sides of the beam weren't cliffs (maybe 50 feet deep or more) or the winds weren't blowing hard.
In my mind, having a thin body structure and weighing less than Val, I could easily be blown away with a little whip of breeze. Balancing that beam and getting to the other end is impossible, so I thought. With knees a little shaking, I would have wanted to just crawl. Indeed, my acrophobia was controlling me that moment. I always have the belief that this fear of height can be treated though avoidance. Val, somehow, did not believe in such treatment as he shouted at me to conquer my fear while he crossed the beam with ease, like a spider on its web.Faced with a situation of fast heart rate, taking each pace slow and taking deep breaths worked well. I crossed the beam with flying colors! While Val was laughing, I was thinking that my acrophobic self can be outlived, and in the end, knowing my determination has beaten the jitters will take my spirit to the highest height of all.
The end of the "balancing" experience caters to the end of the trail, to the Double O Arch. After that we turned around and took the way back. However, we didn't take the same route, instead, we decided to take a full round trip (about 2 miles) until it rejoined the main trail.
The primitive trail going back wasn't easy as expected. No climbing though, mostly downhill steps. The most challenging was the descent on an almost vertical slope. The rocks were smooth, thus, getting a good grip was close to impossible. I had to do it my way - the way I thought would work [see photo]. Okay the strategy worked perfectly fine.
The rest of the trail was a walk in the park. Few complaints here and there. Few sips of the mineral water. Few hymns once in a while. After hours of hiking in the Devil's Garden Trail, the warning "Caution, Primitive Trail, Difficult Hiking" wasn't that bad at all [just allow me to pamper myself for my little feat].
Here are some facts of the Devils Garden:Length: 7.2 miles round trip including all spur trails.
Time: 4 to 5 hours round trip.
Trailhead: 5,100'
High Point: 5,500'
Skill Rating: Moderate, there is nothing difficult.
Season: Year Round, difficult with snow.
Equipment: None
Water: 3 liters per person.
Difficulties: None. Very Minor Scrambling.
Circle Trip: Yes.
Now that you've read my story, experience the thrill yourself! Let the adventurous in you come out! Let the Devil's garden stimulate the daring in you! Oh, by the way, good luck!
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