Winter Clouds at Delicate Arch

Moody Skies, Timeless Arch: A Winter Symphony of Clouds at Delicate Arch

I made a quick version of this right after my trip, but it took me over 2 years of starts and stops to get it done.  On a solo trip to The Southwest, I ended up at Arches with potential weather.  The night before, I agonized about what time I should get to the trailhead.  It looked like we would have a mix of sun and clouds in the later afternoon.  This would create a lot of potential for sunset.   My plan was blown up when clouds started to move in that morning.  Arches is really far from everywhere.  The thought of possibly missing a great shot when I was that close snapped me into action.

I arrived late morning, hiked in and was blown away.  It was bigger than I remembered.  Statistically speaking, the odds of this arch surviving are so low.  This rare beauty is obviously the draw, but worth mentioning.  Being December there weren’t very many people there, reminding me why I go in the off season.  That and the higher likelihood of changing weather.  I had lunch in a pack chair to one of the most stunning geological features our country has to offer!

Over the next 5ish hours, I took it in from every angle.  The clouds were not disappointing, but also, not quite amazing.  Lots of pictures were taken, but I knew they were just good, not great.  Several hours in, all the planning and patience was rewarded.  Sun, clouds and arch lined up with the composition I wanted.  At the time, I was excited and confident, but how could I leave with sunset only a couple hours away.  As the day ended several of us were all but celebrating the pictures we were about to take.  With the last minutes melting away, and so did our clouds.  It was clear the moment had passed.  3 of us waited till dark and hiked out in head lamps.  It was a peaceful end to a beautiful day!