The Windows - Arches National Park

Pictures and story sent in by Dj Nebula of SLC

Back To Arches National Park Hiking Trails

The Windows Area has 5 Arches that are all beautiful. The main trail is very wide and well traveled, in fact you will be hard pressed to find solitude at this location.  The trail is very easy with steps built in and the main trail graveled.  If you head to the north off the main trail you will arrive at Turret Arch. It has some great photo opportunities not to be missed, as well as the best panoramic view of the next stop on the trail, The North and South Windows, which are just a hop across the ravine. Turret Arch is easy to access and a popular arch to climb around.  As you finish up at Turret Arch the trail to the next arch is just a short jaunt, half way up the trail, before you arrive at the North Window, you will have the option to leave the main trail and take the primitive trail, which circles around behind the Windows.  

The North Window is a very large and beautiful arch, that has a great backside view of the Primitive Trail. The next stop as you wind your way around the bend is the South Window. This formation is cut into a bowl like shape that is really steep, and puts the opening of the arch up on a cliff. The bowl however is very relaxing to take a break in. The rocks you walk across to access the bowl are hollow because of water that ran below the surface millions of years ago.  When you begin to head back to the parking area from the South Window you will see where the primitive trail links up with the main trail again.  This trail system is just two big loops so you can traverse it in which ever direction you choose.

The primitive trail area has a lot of rock formations, as well as a backside view of both Windows. As you hike along this trail you will see rock fins eroding into what will be future arches in years to come.

From the Windows parking area you will be able to descend into a ravine that takes you to the Double Arch trail, which was as well as the other park Attractions, just featured in the movie The Hulk. Just across from Double Arch is another arch in its young stages which will eventually become another window. The Double Arch is one of the most beautiful Arches I have seen yet.  Delicate Arch is beautiful in its solitude and grander, but Double Arch is just awe inspiring.  The trail to Double Arch is short and easy, which also adds to its beauty.  Along the Double Arch trail to the west are several rock formations attached together that appear to be a line of elephant on parade.  They are best viewed from the road entering the Windows area.

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Trail Stats:

Distance of Window Trail w/ the Primitive Loop- 1.7 miles
Primitive Loop- 0.7 miles
Hiking time- 1hr 15 min