Arches NP – Park Avenue Trail Hike

On our last day in the Moab area, the weather cleared in the afternoon and we headed back to Arches NP for a final hike. This time we wanted to try the 2 mile (round trip) Park Avenue Trail. 

 

It was rated a moderate hike, steeply descending 320 feet into the wash, leaving from the trailhead and walking toward the Courthouse Towers formation.  Of course, that meant an uphill climb on the return portion. 

Beginning the descent

I have been wondering how these formations and trails within Arches received their names.  Some are fairly easy to understand, and others, like naming this canyon “Park Avenue” left me a bit bewildered.  But it is a beautiful hike. 

Signage at the trailhead provided a summary of the past geologic events that led to what we were about to see.  After several days in this park, I appreciated this concise overview of a long, long history leading to the wonderful arch formations found here. [Much more lengthy geologic information was available in the visitors’ center.]

Note the 3 types of rock and the descriptions below

This section of the sign identifies the 3 distinct types of rock found in the canyon sides.

#1, “Moab Tongue” is the top, and youngest layer of rock. Its a light-colored rock, which has almost entirely eroded away. Formerly about 1 mile thick, this rock layer compressed layer #2 into fine-grained, cliff forming, sandstone.

#2, “Slick Rock Member” is the middle layer (formed over 150 million years ago) and is Entrada Sandstone. This rock dominates the park and is prone to arch formations. Over the past 2 million years, erosion of cracks in this layer created tall, vertical slabs (called fins; the 1^st step for arch formation). This layer was very evident in the walls along our walk.

#3, “Dewey Bridge Member” is the oldest layer, appearing reddish-brown, and appears somewhat muddy/lumpy (remains of a tidal flat environment).

Note the large sandstone slabs and lower, older rock

Notice of trail marking system

 Most of my hiking was done in the eastern US where trails are marked by painted spots on trees.  Here, where trees are often scarce, a system is used with rock cairns. 

Here we are at the first cairn; all are not so large

 This seems to work fairly well, although I have seen “extra” cairns in the vicinity of a trail (perhaps, a fun thing to do – stack some of the many rocks along the way?).  Too bad there are not more trees here for trails (but, then these great western vistas would be affected…).

 Luckily, this was an easy trail to follow, with lots of open space rather than narrow like I anticipated. Gary and I walked down and back at a leisurely pace, thoroughly enjoying the wonderful scenery.

 I stayed busy checking out the spring blooming flowers and shrubs

Gary was busy finding the best photo op – often using the pools formed by the recent rains as foreground for the rock formations.

Drat - the uphill part!

After enjoying all the great formations - it was time to head back up the hill

We prepared to leave this wonderful park a little sad – and then to the SE the cloud cover departed from the La Sal Mountain peaks.  How could you be anything but happy with such a beautiful sight? 

View as we departed trailhead and drove back toward Moab

Gary is already planning ahead for another trip to Arches NP.  Too much to see in one trip!