September 22 2009: Arches National Park

(Click on a thumbnail to see a larger version)

Tuesday, September 22

Stay in Moab UT, Arches National Park. 
Weather:
  September 21:
  Lows:  Twin Falls (Airport): 41; Twin Falls (KMVT): n/a;
         Twin Falls (6 mi E): n/a
  Highs: Moab (Airport): 68; Moab: n/a; Arches NP: 69
  September 22:
  Lows:  Moab (Airport): 41; Moab: 40; Arches NP: 47
  Highs: Moab (Airport): 70; Moab: 72; Arches NP: 71
Hikes/Walks: 3.8 miles
0.3 miles total                     : Balanced Rock
1.9 miles total, ~240 feet elevation: Double Arch/Windows/Turret Arch
1.0 mile  total, ~210 feet elevation: Delicate Arch overlook
0.6 miles total                     : Balanced Rock again
On the 21st, we drove from Twin Falls to Moab, and then finally got into Arches National Park on the 22nd doing various hikes including Balanced Rock, the Double Arch/Windows and Turret Arch area, and the Delicate Arch overlook (not the main Delicate Arch hike, but the one to view it from across the canyon.)

Balanced Rock Erin in Double Arch Double Arch North Window arch Tree in Arches National Park South Window through Turret Rock formations in Arches NP Delicate Arch

After dinner and sunset, I decided to come back out and do some experimental photography, but as soon as I saw the Milky Way in the sky, I opted to do some combination astronomy/landscape photography using Balanced Rock as my landscape subject.

Milky Way and silhouette of Balanced Rock The Milky Way with Balanced Rock Balanced Rock and night sky Night sky and silhouette of night sky