Delicate Arch

What do most people think of when they think of Utah? Strict alcohol laws, Mormons, great skiing, and, of course, the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Many of the 50 states have a symbolic edifice or monument, whether natural or man-made, to represent each state’s uniqueness. New York has the Statue of Liberty, South Dakota has Mount Rushmore, California has the Golden Gate Bridge, etc. As a natural “work of art,” Delicate Arch is extremely symbolic of Utah’s scenic allure. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the surreal Salt Flats to the vivid red rocks in the south, Utah is an absolute dream for outdoor enthusiasts. It is quite fitting that Utah is symbolically represented with one of its most well-known natural wonders.
I finally visited Delicate Arch for the first time in my life this year with my friend, Jen. We went at a good time, too. It was late spring and the sun was still not at its summer worst, though it put up a good fight. The hike to Delicate Arch is approximately 1.5 miles, and is not by any means a hard hike, as far as difficulty goes. The lack of plentiful shade and the desert landscape do make the hike a harrowing one, though, and a backpack full of water is a necessity. Jen and I brought a Camelbak full of water between us and I ended up drinking the last of it with a quarter-mile left to hike. Poor Jen’s not a camel and all I heard that final stretch was, “This hike would’ve been a lot more enjoyable if I had something to drink…”
Because of its symbolic status, the journey to Delicate Arch reminded me of a pilgrimage. There were hundreds of people from all over the world crawling across the landscape to see some natural beauty with their own eyes. At the beginning of the hike I felt like I was getting in a line, there were so many people on the dirt path leading up the hillside. Multiple languages drifted through the air like shimmering heat waves: German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages I couldn’t identify. At one point during the hike, Jen and I began exchanging phrases in other languages so that we could fit in. Plus it helped pass the time quickly, and when you’re crossing a length of desert that seems like it will never end, all you want is for time to fly by. I had just finished teaching Jen an obscene word in German when a group of German tourists passed us. Talk about coincidence. Anyway, it was exciting to have so many different cultures converging to admire Delicate Arch together. The world felt just a little bit smaller along that path in the middle of nowhere.
As with all pilgrimages, there was a reward at the end of the trail I followed. Not only was Delicate Arch splendidly displayed against the snowy mountains in the distance, there was also a raven hovering about to add to the awesomeness of the attraction. After taking plenty of pictures of the raven and Delicate Arch (sometimes both of them together), I allowed myself to simply sit back and soak up the magnificence of Utah’s renowned landmark. Life stopped for a few moments and I was able to experience the moment without any worries or cares. It was a bittersweet moment of reflection: I had lived 28 years not knowing what I was missing, and yet, there I was, enjoying the scenery for myself.
Delicate Arch is one pilgrimage that will not be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me; I will return. And when I do, I’ll go early in the morning and in the spring. Most people make their journey during the summer months between 11 am and 4 pm (hot!). I’d like to visit the arch when it’s cool, quiet and serene. Just me and a naturally-formed arch enjoying a sunrise together. And maybe a raven if it keeps its beak shut.