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MOAB — There is no doubt that Delicate Arch is the most iconic image for Utah. Because of the dominance of that giant red inverted sandstone horseshoe, some visitors to Arches National Park miss the Devil's Garden trail — a section of the park that offers much more scenic hiking and a plethora of unique arches.
Invariably, those who can only spend a day want to hike to the arch that is on Utah license plates. But for all the glory of this famous arch, the trail that one takes to get there is fairly plain. In contrast, the Devil’s Garden trail in Arches National Park is like a gorgeous trail and hike that offers scenic views the entire route.
The Devil’s Garden trail is the longest in the park and probably the most challenging for hikers. The exact length is tough to quantify because there are multiple routes and side trails along the way. The National Park Service website nps.gov calls it 7.2 miles.
Along the route, hikers can view eight named arches, including Landscape Arch, which at just under 300 feet is generally considered the longest natural arch in the world. There are also a few small unidentified arches visible on the hike.
On the Delicate Arch trail hikers trek across sand and slick rock. However, hiking the Devil’s Garden trail is like exploring an alien planet. The hike begins amidst massive sandstone fins and just beyond those red rock liths is a short side trail with views of Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. There is a wide range of desert vegetation along with shaded areas and breathtaking summits.
Back on the main trail, the hike to Landscape Arch is easy on a wide, manicured gravel pathway. It’s the section of trail after this arch that makes the hike unique. The graded walkway ends at Landscape and the trail beyond twists, climbs and drops through unimaginable red rock vistas.
At the end of the trail is the other major arch on this hike: Double O Arch. There can be some confusion because another arch called Double Arch is an easy walk from the road on a turnoff just after Balanced Rock. The route to Double O Arch on the Devil’s Garden Trail is much longer and more difficult and the reward is greater.
Double O is an arch above an arch. A surreal, other-worldly environment encompasses Double O Arch. Red rock fins, jumbled boulders, slick rock and desert vegetation surround Double O Arch on every side.
Hikers can choose the regular route to and from Double O Arch or they can opt for the primitive loop, which is a longer and more challenging route.
According to gjhikes.com, “The Devil's Garden Primitive Loop trail in Arches National Park is a world class hiking experience that provides a unique variety of arches and natural rock formations.” The site rates the trail as “strenuous” and lists an elevation gain of 1,652 feet.
April, May and early June are great times to enjoy this hike before the summer heat really kicks in. As with all desert hikes, trekkers should dress appropriately and carry plenty of water—two liters per person is probably the bare minimum.
For outdoor enthusiasts whose hiking experience at Arches National Park is limited to the Delicate Arch trail, the Devil’s Garden trail should be next on the list of adventures to try.
Flint Stephens has a master's degree in communications from Brigham young University. He is author of "Mormon Parenting Secrets: Time-Tested Methods for Raising Exceptional Children." His blog is www.mormonparentingsecrets.com.
