near Moab, Utah
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Pinto Arch near Moab, Utah |
October 15, 2019
Day #5 of the Autumn Bucket List Tour begins on the trail to Corona Arch, which
is easily the most beautiful and spectacular span that is not in a national park.
Having revisited that formation just last year, I have a lesser destination in
mind — one that is on hardly anyone's radar even though it is plainly
visible from this trail.
No train in evidence at the moment
Within half a mile, the objective comes into view well up and to the left.
That's an arch all right
Later in the day the rocks there all will be sunlit, and the opening will be obscured from view.
Leaving the main trail
Here's a good spot to head off cross-country, where others clearly have done the same.
That bench must be climbed somehow
Some online bloggers claim not to have been able to find the arch, but that can only mean that they were unprepared. As always when visiting a new place, my map is ready with selected waypoints; and corresponding coordinates have been loaded into the GPS. Besides, I already have seen where the bloody arch is; I need only to find a safe route up there.
The Colorado River below
The most colorful Prickly Pear Cactus I ever saw
Having reached the bottom of the bench, the plan is to travel leftward until a weakness is found that will enable me to scramble up.
I'll not attempt a climb here
There is no point in choosing an ascent route that clearly would be dangerous later. Shortly beyond, some cairns are pointing the way.
This is more like it
I encounter another cliff that also is somewhat problematical, but this one I climb anyway.
Looking good from here
Success! I am atop the bench, where there should be no more obstacles. My objective should be just around the corner now.
This is exciting
There it is, and what a treat!
Pinto Arch
The opening actually is a rooftop window
This formation does resemble the nearby Bowtie Arch, but that hardly excuses all the confusion over the names of these things (see Hike #458, Addendum ).
The scene below
This is why I go hiking
On the return I will continue along the bench, hoping to find an easier way down.
This looks like a good passage
Feeling better about my chances now, I still run into the drop-off that caused me trouble earlier. Then I discover the passage of my dreams down at the end; it even is marked by a cairn.
There it is! I've been saved
That ledge is only about three feet high, making it easily doable it either direction. Scary maneuvers have been avoided.
Looking back
Now, getting back to the main trail is but a formality, with unlimited choices of routes available.
You weren't so tough
The only rough spot on the main trail
The arch remains visible
I still maintain that the rock on the right resembles a sleeping giant of some kind.
Still no train
One of the more colorful trailheads
§: What a delightful adventure this was! In retrospect, I probably
should have continued up the trail to visit the incomparable Corona Arch one more time,
lest I not get another opportunity.
Knowing what needed to be done, I never bothered to consult my fancy map at all; had I done so during the ascent, I would have saved myself some anxiety.
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