This is an image of the iconic Delicate Arch, which is in part famous for being on the state license plate of Utah. But really, it’s famous for what it is. This arch, on top of a very steep walled natural amphitheater. Like nothing else in the world. It’s truly spectacular. And the sunsets at this location are 2nd to none. The arch and surroundings light up and have this ultra pleasant warm orange glow, it’s really incredible.
Well, I should say it does that sometimes. For the shot below, there was certainly an incredible sunset, but instead of lighting up the arch, it really only lit up the distant sky off to the West. Luckily, I was placed perfectly to capture that sky and arch in one shot.
Funny story about this evening. Usually, everyone sits facing the arch from a broadside perspective, you can see that shot here. And when I say everyone, I mean about 200 people on a warm, weekend night. This night was not warm, not in the least. A strong wind was blowing the entire hike in, and it only intensified as you came around the final corner, which is up on a bluff, a kind of spot you look at and say “It’s probably always windy up there.”
The amphitheater tends to act as a giant funnel, blowing wind directly at you as you come around the final corner, catching your first glimpse of Delicate Arch. Certainly this very wind that has been blowing in this very spot, for millions of years, is the very reason Delicate Arch is where it is. Geology 101, at work here. Great lesson for kids by the way.
Anyway, the wind is howling, and it’s cold. 2 weeks earlier, I was in shorts and t-shirt. Today, long underwear, jeans, and a heavy down jacket wasn’t really enough. Cold and wind, lovely combination.
So for these reasons, there weren’t many people at the location, and very quickly, most of them left when it became apparent that the clouds in the sky weren’t going to cooperate. That left just a few, and we gathered, sitting where I shot the photo, as much to see the sunrise, but probably more because it offered a bit of shelter from the wind.
At this point, there were probably less than 10 of us there. Two brothers from Switzerland (they didn’t care about the cold) two guys from Denver, three chubby Korean tourists, and myself. We decided to wait it out. There was a feeling in the air, and we collectively decided that we had come this far, and waited this long, that we were going to see this thing through, to the end.
And what a treat we were given. I live in a beautiful mountain town, and have traveled in and out of the mountains, to many gorgeous locations, and have been treated to many incredible sunsets. But this one really took the cake. The way the pink lines lead right to the arch is a work of some higher power I believe. Things cooperated just perfectly, and at just the right times. It only lasted about 30 seconds, and then it was gone, but wow. I was there, I waited, I was prepared, and everything worked out. Many times it doesn’t work out. You go to a location, you sit, you have all the gear, you do everything that you’re supposed to do, but Mama Nature just doesn’t cooperate. This night she did, I hope you enjoy the photo. And see more from my Moab area trips on the Arches, Canyonlands gallery page on the right, or just click here.
Delicate Arch at sunset