Easy, 2.0 mi out and back

338 ft elevation gain

Hiked 12/18/23

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Located near the park entrance, this trail is often the first one seen by visitors and is reminiscent of walking down a wide city street surrounded by skyscrapers. Trail ends at the Courthouse Tower before returning back along the wash, which may provide some struggle even though it is easy overall.

A massive block of rock rises above the main road in Arches National Park, surrounded by a sunbow on a chilly morning. I believe the slab was actually The Organ, which is across the road from the turnaround for the trail if hiking.

In the foreground, sheets of slanted sandstone formed along the was that makes up the trail, along with some larger boulders. In the distance, a massive slab of rock with some pillars forming throughout under cloudy skies. The early morning sun may be seen poking through the clouds behind the slab, which is called The Organ.

A huge pillar of sandstone that has three tops rising above it, called the three gospels and part of Courthouse Towers. In the lower portion of the slab (right of center), Baby Arch may be seen as a hole through it.

Easy, 0.3 mi loop

45 ft elevation gain

Hiked 12/18/23

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An easy and accessible loop around a massive boulder perched atop a rock tower. This structure is one of the more iconic features in the park, standing at 128 ft tall and with a boulder weighing approximately 3,600 tons. From this trail you also have views of several other features in the distance.

A far away view of Balanced Rock and the nearby tower with the rising sun between them. A sunbow may be seen wrapped around it all, with vibrant colors seen on the far left and more typical coloration in the rest of it. The La Sal mountains may be seen in the distant right/center surrounded by yellow light.

The sun facing side of Balanced rock is lit up along with the hill/stairs leading on its base.

Three distinct beams of light spread across the lower frame with a sunbow seen in the sky as the sun continues its slow climb above the distant La Sal Mountains. A rock wall is seen on the right of frame as well as a long chain of spires on the left.

I took out my phone and she kept touching it with her lips. I turned on some music and she stopped and ate her dinner. She's so damn smart and loves music.

We hung out and jammed in her stall while she ate. After she was done, I used the weight tape on her and she's about 820lbs now!

The weather was a bit cool, so they felt wonderful.

Been doing the Alton Brown recipe for years and gotten better each time. I don't even like turkey but I like cooking for people!

Our room overlooked the Canyon. We watched condors fly by our window. Spectacular.

Easy, 1.64 mi loop trail

348 ft elevation gain

Hiked 12/18/23

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A fantastic short hike that takes you to two large window arches as well as the castle-like Turret Arch structure in Arches NP. Great location for sunrise viewing as you both see the distant mountains lit up in vibrant colors or watch Turret Arch through the North Window. Rock stairs could be slick.

Rock stairs lead to the North Window and the arch above in as the sun continues its morning color show.

Turret Arch and the surrounding rocks are finally bathed in the morning sun while shades of pink light up the distant clouds. A tall pillar may be seen on the left of frame while the upper half of the photo is a light sky blue.

Looking through North Window towards Turret Arch and surrounding pillars. Some pastel colors still linger from the sunrise. A person may be seen at the left edge of the window for scale.

Built from scrap/waste materials, this was the handiwork of one Nek Chand back in the 1970s; Chandigarh, India

A few viewpoints with minimal hiking

Minimal Elevation

Visited 12/16/23

Shoshone Falls is known as the Niagara of the West and is a massive fall on the Snake River-if there is water. Low flow is diverted for hydropower generation, resulting in this bare rock exposure I witnessed which is still enjoyable as a 'negative space' of what the Snake River has carved over time.

There may be a trail that's associated with it that I am unaware of; my only visit was at near dusk, when the viewing area closes for the night so I just went to a couple viewing platforms and then left.. I or someone else should do a '8 Niagaras of the World' as it's such a common phrase for falls.

A mostly dry view of Shoshone Falls from one of the viewpoints at dusk. A few waterfalls are present, but the majority of the water has been diverted. Infrastructure as well as the town of Twin Falls may be seen in the background along with a few streaks of clouds.

A view of Shoshone Falls focusing on the dry riverbed upstream of the falls. in low water, nearly all water is diverted for hydroelectric generation.

Looking downstream from one of the viewpoints as the sunsets. The Snake River may be seen between two large canyon walls. Orange glows just above the canyon walls leading to a partially clouded blue sky.

A view from Shimla, India.

No hike; short drive on a somewhat rough (iirc) gravel road

Visited 12/16/23

Video of Niagara Springs on Flickr

Part of the 'thousand springs complex' of Idaho nestled between the Snake River Canyon rim and the Snake River, this massive outpouring of water is known as the Niagara of Springs and creates a huge rush of water out of the hillside. In the area you may also find abundant birding opportunities.

Water flows out of the hillside at Niagara Springs, unleashed from a groundwater spring underneath the cliff above.

Vertical shot of the water rushing out from a cliff wall that comprises Niagara Springs. Blue skies with wispy clouds hang above the hug cliff wall.

The cliff wall above Niagara Springs bathed in golden hour light as the sun begins to set from behind me. Blue shies with slight trails of clouds hang in the air above.