By the time we reached Moab we had already driven through four states. All impressions of Jack Kerouac lost along the countless miles of steaming tarmac and Utah desert. As we crossed the Colorado River for what appeared to be the third or fourth time we reached Moab, a town I had heard so much about but expected to be bigger. Moab has a reputation for attracting adrenaline junkies, but alas me and my slipper-wearing ways were drawn to other attractions by way of Arches National Park. Arches National Park has over two thousand sandstone arches. This includes the much-photographed Delicate Arch, as featured on all Utah State numberplates.

Set at the end of a not-so-tasking two-hour hike, Delicate Arch stands on the rim of a red rock amphitheatre with the picturesque La Sal Mountains as breathtaking backdrop. The arch itself is 46ft high but it is not the scale, which is impressive, but the aesthetic shape. For those unable or unwilling to hike, distant views are available at a parking area 1.2 miles from Wolfe Ranch, the starting point for the hike. The rest of Arches National Park is also fantastic but the impact of witnessing Delicate Arch up close would hardly be replicated. Looking back it dawned on me that Moab didn’t need to be any bigger, in fact if it was, I wouldn’t have had the same experiences, the photographs and views would be ruined by countless others who share my Kerouac idealism.

Arches National Park, Moab; tel: (435) 719-2299
www.nps.gov/arch/

Hostel Recommendation
Lazy Lizard International Hostel
1213 S. Highway 191, Moab, Utah 84532, United States

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