Arches Part 2 - Fiery Furnace

The Fiery Furnace is an unusual section of Arches National Park (which is already extraordinary, so that’s saying a lot). It’s a maze of rock formations with no trail and no map. It’s very popular, but only a small number of people can visit each day, to protect the fragile environment. Going online to get tickets for the ranger-guided hike was a bit like getting Taylor Swift tickets. Okay, maybe not Taylor Swift, but you get the idea.

I was feeling triumphant about the tickets and a little apprehensive about the hike, which was described as “challenging” and “physically demanding” and even “dangerous.” But my fears were unfounded. True, there is no trail, and there was very little actual hiking. We did a lot of scrambling and clambering, and there were some tricky spots which involved squeezing, crawling, and/or jumping. We both managed just fine, especially with Ranger Kyle there to coach us. It was FUN! And it was Steve’s birthday - this will be one we’ll remember well!

Outside the Fiery Furnace

Entering the Fiery Furnace, in single file behind Ranger Kyle

Ephemeral pool - home of fairy shrimp (aka sea monkeys) and tardigrades

Claret Cup cactus

Skull Arch

Kissing rocks

The amazing self-pruning juniper tree

https://www.nps.gov/cany/learn/nature/utahjuniper.htm

Sometimes it's best to use your bottom

Preparing to help us "jump confidently" across the gap

Steve braces against both walls to get through this passage

Maria's turn to squeeze through

Surprise Arch

Look! I did Crawl Through Arch. Piece of cake.

I had so much fun in the Fiery Furnace that I was sad to leave it. I wish I had known about this place when our kids were young. They would have LOVED it. It’s ironic that I was nervous about the Fiery Furnace, because other hikes we did later that same day were more challenging, even nerve-racking. TO BE CONTINUED…