Expedition to the West - Day2

=== Arches National Park (Continued) ===

We got so excited with Arches yesterday.  At dawn, we continued our visit to see the sun rise at the park's iconic arch - Delicate Arch.

The hike to the Delicate Arch is a bit difficult if you don't know where you are going.  We hiked up this gigantic rock for more than half an hour.  Many people got lost in the rock and ended up to the wrong side of the arch.  Don't be the next victim if you decide to hike it in the dark!  :)

The beautiful scenery matches the uniqueness of the arch!  It is definitely worth the hike!  It is simply stunning!  For busy season, the arch can be overcrowd with all the tourists, especially in the evening.  That is why we opted for the morning hike to avoid the crowd.

The hike back down was much easier!  We visited several more arches.  They are all unique in their own beauty.

North Window Arch

Turret Arch

North Window and South Window in a view

Double Arch

=== Dead Horse Point State Park ===

We left Arches around 11 am, had a quick lunch in Moab and then headed to our second stop Dead Horse Point State park.  The drive on Route 313 was first in the spectacular red rock canyon then transformed to the plateau overlooking La Sal mountains in the distance.  It was such a perfect day!

Many State parks in Utah are hidden gems.  They are much less crowded comparing to national parks but still provide you breathtaking views.

"The legend of Dead Horse Point states that around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top.  Cowboys herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point.  The neck was then fenced off with branches and brush.  One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below. "

The view is stunning ...

The masterpiece of Dead Horse Point - the immense vertical cliffs meet with canyons carved by ice, water and wind... this is  one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world.

=== Canyonland National Park ===

Our third stop is Canyonland National Park.  Canyonland is on the west side of Shafer Canyon and Dead Horse Point state park is on the east side of Shafer Canyon.  Between the two parks, it lies the famous Shafer Trail.  The switchbacks on the cliff attracts many adventurous motorists.

I personally think the Mesa Arch is more beautiful than the ones in Arches National Park. Looking down behind the arch makes your heart sinks!  :)  Again, we can see the beautiful La Sal Mountains through the arch.

Here is the spectacular view of the Island in the Sky.  The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective on Canyonlands' spectacular landscape. There are two other sections of the park we didn't visit: The Maze and The Needles.