IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25, 2013
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
It's been a tradition of mine to head down to Arches National Park around Christmas time each year so I can visit the park in the winter. This year I had no holiday plans, so I decided to visit on Christmas Day. I was originally planning on going by myself, but a few weeks before the trip I found out that my friend Yvonne was going to be in Moab over the same time, so we made plans to meet up and do some hiking together.
I stayed up a little too late on Christmas Eve, so I got a late start in the morning and didn't make it to the park for sunrise this time. The sky was clear this morning so I don't think I missed much.
As I drove in the park I made a quick stop at the Park Avenue Overlook for a few quick photos in the morning light.
Park Avenue View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I liked the light on the edges here.
Rim Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Park Ave Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Then I passed by the Three Gossips on my way to the Devils Garden trailhead where I planned to meet Yvonne.
Three Gossips by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After meeting up with Yvonne we took our first hike of the day to visit Landscape Arch.
Landscape Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
On our way back to the trailhead we took a short detour to Pine Tree Arch.
Pine Tree Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We found this little Christmas tree with nice reflected light on the sandstone behind it.
Christmas Tree by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking back to the trailhead on the snow-packed trail.
Devils Garden Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After finishing our first short hike we made our way over to the Sand Dune Arch parking area so we could hike the Broken Arch loop trail.
Yvonne on our way to Broken Arch.
Broken Arch Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Fins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We climbed up through Broken Arch to complete the loop.
Broken Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Before returning to our vehicles we visited Sand Dune Arch since we were nearby. I'm glad we did because it had some of the nicest reflected light on it that I've seen here.
Sand Dune Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leaving Sand Dune Arch.
In the Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
At this point we were both getting hungry. We drove into town for an early dinner so we could return in time to photograph the sunset. We had dinner at just about the only place open on Christmas Day in Moab: Denny's.
On our way back into the park after dinner I made another quick stop at Park Avenue because I liked the shadows cast on the sandstone wall here.
Park Avenue Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Beautiful views as I drove through the park again.
Sandstone & Sky by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
La Sal View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The light was getting nice and there were some clouds in the sky, so we stopped at Balanced Rock for a few quick photos.
Balanced by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Sandstone by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Turret Arch in the distance under the La Sal Mountains.
Turret by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Balanced Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Over the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We continued on to photograph the Garden of Eden area next.
Garden of Eden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Yvonne getting her shot.
Photographing Eden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Spire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Both of our vehicles in the Garden of Eden parking area.
Backcountry Vehicles by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
It's been a tradition of mine to head down to Arches National Park around Christmas time each year so I can visit the park in the winter. This year I had no holiday plans, so I decided to visit on Christmas Day. I was originally planning on going by myself, but a few weeks before the trip I found out that my friend Yvonne was going to be in Moab over the same time, so we made plans to meet up and do some hiking together.
I stayed up a little too late on Christmas Eve, so I got a late start in the morning and didn't make it to the park for sunrise this time. The sky was clear this morning so I don't think I missed much.
As I drove in the park I made a quick stop at the Park Avenue Overlook for a few quick photos in the morning light.
Park Avenue View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I liked the light on the edges here.
Rim Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Park Ave Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Then I passed by the Three Gossips on my way to the Devils Garden trailhead where I planned to meet Yvonne.
Three Gossips by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After meeting up with Yvonne we took our first hike of the day to visit Landscape Arch.
Landscape Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
On our way back to the trailhead we took a short detour to Pine Tree Arch.
Pine Tree Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We found this little Christmas tree with nice reflected light on the sandstone behind it.
Christmas Tree by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking back to the trailhead on the snow-packed trail.
Devils Garden Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After finishing our first short hike we made our way over to the Sand Dune Arch parking area so we could hike the Broken Arch loop trail.
Yvonne on our way to Broken Arch.
Broken Arch Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Fins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We climbed up through Broken Arch to complete the loop.
Broken Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Before returning to our vehicles we visited Sand Dune Arch since we were nearby. I'm glad we did because it had some of the nicest reflected light on it that I've seen here.
Sand Dune Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leaving Sand Dune Arch.
In the Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
At this point we were both getting hungry. We drove into town for an early dinner so we could return in time to photograph the sunset. We had dinner at just about the only place open on Christmas Day in Moab: Denny's.
On our way back into the park after dinner I made another quick stop at Park Avenue because I liked the shadows cast on the sandstone wall here.
Park Avenue Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Beautiful views as I drove through the park again.
Sandstone & Sky by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
La Sal View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The light was getting nice and there were some clouds in the sky, so we stopped at Balanced Rock for a few quick photos.
Balanced by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Sandstone by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Turret Arch in the distance under the La Sal Mountains.
Turret by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Balanced Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Over the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We continued on to photograph the Garden of Eden area next.
Garden of Eden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Yvonne getting her shot.
Photographing Eden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Spire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Both of our vehicles in the Garden of Eden parking area.
Backcountry Vehicles by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
