While hiking in Utah with my brother and nephew, my nephew ran ahead  on the trail and started jumping up and down in the middle of an arch.  The sequence below is the result. .

Arches National Park

The pictures above were taken in Arches National Park, in Moab, Utah. While I was hiking with my brother and nephew, my nephew ran ahead on the trail, and started jumping up and down in the middle of an arch. The photo sequence above is the result.

Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.  One of these, the Delicate Arch, is world-famous. Not only is it the most recognizable landmark in the park, it's also been featured on Utah license plates and commemorative postage stamps.  But there are lots of unusual rock formations and beautiful arches in the park, which has the greatest density of naturally formed arches of any place in the world.  Many of the other arches have also been named, with titles such as "Fiery Furnace," "Dark Angel," "Landscape Arch," and "Double Arch."

The smallest arch in the park is just about 3 feet wide, which is the minimum size for an arch. But the largest – Landscape Arch – is huge, measuring 306 feet from base to base.

I like these pictures because the stark lighting and color contrasts demonstrate one of the defining features of Arches: contrast. Arches National Park is what's known as a "high desert," located more than 4,000 feet above sea level. The highest spot is 5,563 feet above sea level, at a point called Elephant Butte. Because of the elevation, the climate is harsh, with cold winters and hot summers. The temperatures range from below freezing in the winter to over 100 degrees in the summer. In fact, the temperature can fluctuate as much as 50 degrees in one day. So if you visit Arches National Park, be prepared for cold mornings and warm afternoons.

The contrasts are also evident in the colors and textures, and the varied landscape. Within the area there are lush patches, on the edge of natural water sources; dry gulches; flat grasslands; and stretches of bare rock. The area receives only about 10 inches of rain a year.  However, naturally occurring potholes sometimes fill with rainwater, helping nearby plants, amphibians and insects to survive the dry seasons.  This varied habitat allows plants and animals of all kinds to survive, creating a truly rich and impressive display of the range of ecology and wildlife.

I'd like to leave you with a few last facts about the park.  Arches National Park became a national park in 1971, and covers 119 square miles. The park is open for activities such as biking, camping, auto touring, hiking, and backpacking. Of course, if you do visit, be sure to pack your camera!