August 17, 2012
We drove 7 miles from Delicate Arch to our next hike, Devils Garden Primitive Loop. The 7.2 mile roundtrip loop consisted of 8 arches on side trails and then a section of primitive trail that was marked with cairns. Though it was early, there were many cars in the parking lot and people loitering before starting their hikes. We each brought 4 liters of water, trail mix, PB and J sandwiches, and sunscreen.
At the entrance to Devils Garden Loop, M and I were greeted by a gravel-carpeted hallway with orange sandstone walls that dwarfed us. The first 3/4 miles of the trail climbed slightly and though it was washed out in the some parts, was a well-maintained trail. There was a path that diverged from the main trail which led to the Tunnel and Pine Tree arches. We did not stop to see them as we wanted to start our long hike while the temps were still cooler. After this, came to a fork in the path with the right branch leading to the Primitive Loop trail, while the left branch led to the arch views. M and I chose to see the arches first since Landscape Arch was already in view.
The trail now morphed from gravel to a tangerine-colored sand path as we hiked past Landscape Arch. The trail took us up/down some stairs and then led us to scramble over a slab of orange rock before going back to a somewhat maintained trail. For the rest of the hike, the trail had cairns to guide us and signs for the side gravel trails to see Navajo, Private, and Double O Arches, etc. Some areas of the trail also had us hiking on top of narrow ledges with unnerving 60+ ft drop offs on both sides. The rest of the hike included more sand hiking and scrambling over slickrock.
With temperatures reaching 97 degrees F that day, the beautiful scenery made the heat less miserable. We saw most of the arches for Devils Garden and also hiked to see Dark Angel, a 150ft tall sandstone pillar. After Dark Angel, we would continue onto the Primitive Loop section of the trail. M and I were only half way through our hike, and not knowing how rugged the rest of the hike was going to be, we were left wondering if we had brought enough water for the entire day...
At the entrance to Devils Garden Loop, M and I were greeted by a gravel-carpeted hallway with orange sandstone walls that dwarfed us. The first 3/4 miles of the trail climbed slightly and though it was washed out in the some parts, was a well-maintained trail. There was a path that diverged from the main trail which led to the Tunnel and Pine Tree arches. We did not stop to see them as we wanted to start our long hike while the temps were still cooler. After this, came to a fork in the path with the right branch leading to the Primitive Loop trail, while the left branch led to the arch views. M and I chose to see the arches first since Landscape Arch was already in view.
The trail now morphed from gravel to a tangerine-colored sand path as we hiked past Landscape Arch. The trail took us up/down some stairs and then led us to scramble over a slab of orange rock before going back to a somewhat maintained trail. For the rest of the hike, the trail had cairns to guide us and signs for the side gravel trails to see Navajo, Private, and Double O Arches, etc. Some areas of the trail also had us hiking on top of narrow ledges with unnerving 60+ ft drop offs on both sides. The rest of the hike included more sand hiking and scrambling over slickrock.
With temperatures reaching 97 degrees F that day, the beautiful scenery made the heat less miserable. We saw most of the arches for Devils Garden and also hiked to see Dark Angel, a 150ft tall sandstone pillar. After Dark Angel, we would continue onto the Primitive Loop section of the trail. M and I were only half way through our hike, and not knowing how rugged the rest of the hike was going to be, we were left wondering if we had brought enough water for the entire day...
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| Entrance into Devils Garden Primitive Loop |
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| Maintained portion of the trail, accessible and easy |
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| Side trail leading to Tunnel and Pine Tree Arches |
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| Landscape Arch |
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| M next to Landscape Arch, trail is now sandy |
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| Landscape Arch, going down some stairs |
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| On trail, turn right after Landscape Arch |
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| Scramble up some slickrock |
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| Trail up the slickrock |
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| Closer to the top of the slickrock |
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| Looking back from slickrock climb |
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| After going up slickrock, follow cairns and well worn areas of rock |
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| Trail becomes maintained going to Navajo Arch |
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| Trail to Navajo Arch |
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| Navajo Arch |
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| Holes in sandstone before Navajo Arch |
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| Navajo Arch |
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| Back side of Navajo Arch |
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| Path to Partition Arch |
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| M and I standing under Partition Arch |
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| Back on Devils Garden Loop Trail going to Double O Arch |
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| Trail sign for arches |
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| Slickrock path to Double O Arch |
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| Follow sign and cairns to Double O Arch. Pay attention. It can be confusing in some areas |
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| On the way to Double O Arch |
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| Follow cairns across slickrock ledge with 60+ft drop off |
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| Ledge we had to hike on with 60+ ft drop off on the right |
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| Sign and trail for Double O Arch |
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| Trail for Double O Arch |
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| Trail to Double O Arch |
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| Double O Arch |
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| Very confusing trail sign |
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| Looking back at trail, can see part of Double O Arch, on the way to Dark Angel |
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| Hiking through sand to see Dark Angel |
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| Dark Angel in view |
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| Dark Angel |
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| Heading back to Double O Arch where M and I will take Primitive Loop |
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