The Big Ride – Natural wonders that make you wonder (Arches National Park and Colorado River, Utah) – St Julien Performance Group

One of the most spectacular sights I have experienced during my visit to Utah was Arches National Park located outside of the town of Moab. The park contains over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and various rock formations and covers about 76,000 acres. A hikers paradise for sure!

The national park is on top of an underground “evaporate” layer which is what causes the formation of the arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins and monoliths which are the large upright blocks of stone. The salt bed is thousands of feet thick in places and was deposited there over 300 million years ago when a sea flowed into the region and eventually evaporated. A number of layers of sandy sediments were deposited on top of the salt and then eroded away over millions of years. This has resulted in the arches being formed.

Here are some photos of the incredible formations and arches that I experienced in the park. The park is truly spectacular and a “must see” when you are visiting Utah. Add it to your list – I promise you will not regret the visit.

The rock formations look so spectacular up against the sky - one of Natures masterpieces! — The rock formations look so spectacular up against the sky – one of Natures masterpieces!

The vegetation is sparse but full of character

This is one of the arches that you can hike in to see. This one was an easy walk, however there are other more challenging trails for those who are up to the challenge — This is one of the arches that you can hike in to see. This one was an easy walk, however there are more difficult trails for those who are up to the challenge

There are several arches that you can hike into - this is one of them. — There are several arches that you can hike into – this is one of them.

I'm note sure if you'll be able to read this, but it explains in more detail how the arches and rock formations are created — I’m not sure if you’ll be able to read this, but it explains in more detail how the arches and rock formations are created

This looks like a dinosaur was dong a little tail painting :) — This looks like a dinosaur was doing a little tail painting 🙂

I found more dinosaur art work in one of the stone walls — I found more dinosaur art work on one of the stone walls

It's an easy walk to this arch and it's also possible to climb into the arch — It’s an easy walk to this arch and it’s also possible to climb into the arch

Look whose in the arch :) — Look whose in the arch 🙂

Walking on the "wild side" — Walking on the “wild side”

post16 — There are hiking and walking trails throughout the park that lead to some pretty interesting places – this is one of them

post5 — Big Blue among the natural wonders

post — This is Park Avenue – the panoramic view is spectacular but hardly compares to what it looked like in real time

post6 — This is just one of the thousands of breathtaking vistas found in Arches National Park

And for a smile of two:

I've got a sheep by the horns :) — I’ve got a sheep by the horns 🙂

On a local laundromat in Moab — A local laundromat in Moab

In closing, my visit to the park was extraordinary and one that I would definitely like to do again. It has so much to offer those who love to hike and explore the geological wonders that have been created over hundreds of millions of years. That through alone is staggering.

I would like to leave you with a video of one of my favorite rides while in Utah which was along the Colorado river. The canyons in the morning light as the sun was rising were breathtakingly beautiful. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did.

The last leg of my journey will be a spirited ride across the Great Plains of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana as I make my way home. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been on the road for almost three months! It’s been an incredible experience and a trip of a lifetime!! I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’m so grateful to be living my dream out loud. Most of all, I’m grateful to have shared it with you!

2 Replies to “The Big Ride – Natural wonders that make you wonder (Arches National Park and Colorado River, Utah)”

Heather Hay Charron says:

August 9, 2015 at 7:51 AM

Your Colorado River ride was spectacular!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Mike says:

August 10, 2015 at 8:14 AM

Amazing …..definitely on our Bike -It List !

LikeLiked by 1 person