Arches again

[Bluegreen kayak]

Much earlier in the year, I saw a week in Devil's Garden campground open up, so I reserved it and was lucky enough to go there this time (Sept 30-Oct 6). I had an unexpected two day layover in Ogallala for water in the gas that kept my engine from turning over (luckily it wasn't a dead fuel pump), and some anxiety whether the possible government shut down would force me out of the park, but it all turned out okay. Since there's not much coming from DV trips, here's a little activity.

Outside the park entrance, there's this great example of faulting on the hillside, with some showy colors as well:


My first hike was to Tower Arch, shown below, but I wasn't comfortable exploring like I would have wanted, because there were dark threatening clouds on the horizon and the road is impassible when wet. I enjoyed the exercise and what scenery I did see, and made it back safely.

A rock that looks like Jabba the Hutt for Star Wars fans:


I've looked at this area often on Google Earth, thinking that there might be a different way back from the arch that would make the trail a lollipop instead of just out and back. I did follow a wash off the trail, hoping, but ran into this dead end (for me at least; someone more agile might try it). Impressive rocks anyway.



In the wash I came across these interesting layered rocks, very different from all the red sandstone around them.


 
A couple pictures of the fun parts of the trail, both near the trailhead. After you get past them, it's a lot easier. Of course, you enjoy them all over again coming back.






Came across these odd circles in a patch of rocks on my return trip:



I was delighted driving back to spot this bit of color in the wash next to the road


I'll post some more later when time permits.