Delicate Arch, Natural arch in Arches National Park, US
Delicate Arch is a freestanding natural sandstone bridge in Arches National Park that rises 16 meters (52 feet) above the ground. The opening measures roughly 10 meters (33 feet) across and the formation rests on a smooth sloping rock surface.
Park rangers and photographers first recorded the formation in 1923 while surveying what would later become protected land. The area gained national park status in 1971, safeguarding more than 2000 such stone formations across the region.
The arch represents Utah's natural heritage, appearing on state license plates and commemorative stamps issued for the state centennial in 1996.
The trail starts at Wolfe Ranch parking area and covers 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) with an elevation gain of roughly 150 meters (480 feet). The final section crosses open slickrock without railings or markers, so sturdy shoes and plenty of water are important.
Wind and temperature shifts widen tiny cracks in the stone year after year, slowly reshaping the formation over time. Geologists estimate such arches may stand anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand years before collapsing.
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