UT, Arches National Park, the park is a maze of red-rock monoliths.

On a geological scale, the Arches rock formations display a relatively short period in time. Much younger than the Grand Canyon's 2 Billion year old walls with hundreds of yet to be eroded delicate arches stretching across the horizon. Forming an endless menagerie of shapes that will eventually erode into mounds of sand.

The most spectacular of these rock formations include Balanced Rock, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, and Delicate Arch (on the right). The 15 mile scenic road takes you past all these spectacular wonders. Balanced Rock is located seven miles past the Main Visitor Center. Followed by Double Arch at the Windows Viewing Area, and Delicate and Landscape Arches. The base of Delicate Arch is reached on a 1.5 mile trail to the top. Here you stand 500 feet above the surrounding terrain on the plateau that forms the base of Delicate Arch. Landscape and Double O'Arch are located at the end of a two mile trail that starts from the Devil's Garden Campground. Landscape Arch is reached after the first mile, followed by Double O. Landscape Arch is the longest natural arch in the world spanning 305 feet.

The composition of these arches is almost entirely shale covered sandstone with its red pigmentation coming from iron oxides. Geologists designate arches, as those structures formed when freezing water expands Breaking away huge chunks of rock in the winter. A phenomena of nature that occurs in all rock structures but is more strikingly apparent in this softer and easily eroded sandstone.

An excellent embarking point to view and photograph these arches is the Devil's Garden Campground. The campground has 50 campsites ($10) that fill quickly. Summer visitors must be in line at the gate when the park opens at 8 am if they hope to receive a campsite. The campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is located 18 miles past the Main Visitor Center at the end of the main scenic loop. Where the road ends and hiking trails to Landscape and Double O'Arch begin. Note: The campground will be closed from November 1, 2000 through February 15, 2001 for major water supply line repairs.