Arches National Park Field Trip

Last week I went to Moab over spring break. I was able to hike trails that passed many arches and amazing sculptures.

On the last day I was in Moab, my family and I hiked Devils Garden. This trail passed and led to many arches. These arches and other rock sculptures were formed by water and ice, extreme temperatures, and underground salt movement. In other words, these rocks were formed by erosion and weathering. Some of the arches that I saw on this trail were Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Private Arch, and about 5 more that have not been named. All of these arches were different in their own way, there were no two alike. Pine Tree Arch was named because of the Pine Tree that was in the middle of the arch. Tunnel Arch was named because it was a wide arch that looked like a tunnel. Navajo Arch was named because it was a sacred place for the Navajo Indians. Partition Arch was named because it did not look like it was finished yet. Landscape Arch was named because it is very long (The longest span of all the arches in Arches National Park). Double O Arch is named because it consists of two arches, one on top of the other. Private Arch is named because it is very secluded, and very hard to hike to. All of these arches were named for their own spectacular reason. I really enjoyed going to Devils Garden to see all of the amazing rock sculptures.

Another day in Moab, we hiked Park Avenue and The Windows Section. Park Avenue was this hiked that brought you through a canyon. By going on this hike I learned that some rocks are softer than others so they break down easier. This canyon was formed by a wide river. I could tell where sea level was hundreds of years ago. After we hiked Park Avenue we drove over to the Windows section and many cool structures that have also been formed by weathering and erosion. These structures included the Petrified Dunes, The Great Wall, Rock Pinnacles, Balanced Rock, and Ham Rock. We then hiked to The North Window, The South Window, and Turret Arch. North and South Windows were next to each other, one north and the other south. Turret Arch was an arch that looked withered. It was tall but it looked like a balloon after a person inflates it. The last arch that we hiked to that day was Double Arch. This Arch consists of the tallest arch and 90 degrees later another arch. When we climbed to the second arch we were able to see the sunset. I enjoyed going on these hikes it was an education, enjoyable, and exercising experience.

In Moab, I was able to see many things. I am grateful that my parents decided to go there instead of to an amusement park. I look forward to go there again.