Hiking Arches at night. (Moab, Virgin: home, dangerous, best)

[maksim89]

Thinking about doing a hike up to Delicate arch in a few weeks, has anyone done the hike at twilight? Im a photographer and really wanna get some great shots with the stars and what not. Any tips?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by maksim89

Thinking about doing a hike up to Delicate arch in a few weeks, has anyone done the hike at twilight? Im a photographer and really wanna get some great shots with the stars and what not. Any tips?

Sounds like fun. I'd just make sure you leave time to hike back down before it gets dark. I would not want to be finding my way back down in the dark. Are you going to go to Bryce and Zion, too?

[maksim89]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Sounds like fun. I'd just make sure you leave time to hike back down before it gets dark. I would not want to be finding my way back down in the dark. Are you going to go to Bryce and Zion, too?

Well im driving from Pittsburgh to Yellowstone and then doing a southern loop, so no...I was just at Bryce and Zion last month (yah I know two road trips in a row :P)

Basically I wanna be at the arch when its pitch black...ill be alone so im guessing this is a bad idea maybe I can meet up with some other hikers.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by maksim89

Well im driving from Pittsburgh to Yellowstone and then doing a southern loop, so no...I was just at Bryce and Zion last month (yah I know two road trips in a row :P)

So how'd you like them?

Basically I wanna be at the arch when its pitch black...ill be alone so im guessing this is a bad idea maybe I can meet up with some other hikers.

I don't know. I sure wouldn't want to do it, but hey, we're all different. Pitch black is pretty darned black, though. On the other hand, I just did a quick google search and I guess you're not the only one who's ever thought to do this. I was surprised at how popular this kind of thing is with serious photographers. If I were you, I'd pretty much ignore everything Katzpur has said on this subject as she's obviously just up in the night (pun intended).

I just want you to promise posting some of your best pictures when you get back home -- of SLC, Antelope Island and Arches.

[maksim89]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

So how'd you like them?

I don't know. I sure wouldn't want to do it, but hey, we're all different. Pitch black is pretty darned black, though. On the other hand, I just did a quick google search and I guess you're not the only one who's ever thought to do this. If I were you, I'd pretty much ignore everything Katzpur has said on this subject as she's obviously just up in the night (pun intended).

Well me and my friend drove from Pittsburgh to Yosemite, loved Yosemite. Her favorite was Arches. I didn't get to do the landscape arch because she wasn't a big hiker so I let it slide :P

as far as Zion and Bryce, of course we disagreed....I loved Zion....when we arrived I immediately hiked down into Virgin river (I think thats the name right) and stood in the middle of it on a 100 degree day, and I can literally say it was one of those moments ill remember forever....I loved zion and wish I couldve seen more of it....

but she liked Bryce, I thought Bryce was to....one sided....I feel like once you've seen a hoodoo, you've seen them all....but hey we all have our opinion....but both were incredible beyond my imagination.

And yah Im thinking about staying at Moab one night, going up around sunset...hiking up and maybe whoever else is up there I can hike down with idk.....

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by maksim89

Well me and my friend drove from Pittsburgh to Yosemite, loved Yosemite. Her favorite was Arches. I didn't get to do the landscape arch because she wasn't a big hiker so I let it slide :P

as far as Zion and Bryce, of course we disagreed....I loved Zion....when we arrived I immediately hiked down into Virgin river (I think thats the name right) and stood in the middle of it on a 100 degree day, and I can literally say it was one of those moments ill remember forever....I loved zion and wish I couldve seen more of it....

but she liked Bryce, I thought Bryce was to....one sided....I feel like once you've seen a hoodoo, you've seen them all....but hey we all have our opinion....but both were incredible beyond my imagination.

And yah Im thinking about staying at Moab one night, going up around sunset...hiking up and maybe whoever else is up there I can hike down with idk.....

You know there are a few sunset Hummer tours over "Hell's Revenge." You might want to check with some of the outfits down in Moab that take these. Typically, you go with a group, but they might be willing to do a private tour so you could stop and take more pictures than the average tourist wants to take. These tours are a blast, by the way!

[maksim89]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

You know there are a few sunset Hummer tours over "Hell's Revenge." You might want to check with some of the outfits down in Moab that take these. Typically, you go with a group, but they might be willing to do a private tour so you could stop and take more pictures than the average tourist wants to take. These tours are a blast, by the way!

hmmm maybe ill look into it.

[InSandy]

My only advice would be to watch carefully on the trail on the way in so you have an idea of what you'd be hiking back out on. And then make sure your flashlight has good batteries and bring along a backup so you don't end up walking back completely in the dark. There are some places it could get rather dangerous if you are wandering without a light.

I would love to be there in the dark. Sounds wonderful

[11thHour]

I do a lot of night hiking. Delicate Arch would be good for it. It's a short, easy hike. Just make sure your headlamp is plenty bright (dont go cheap), and pay attention. That trail is very well worn. There's an area with ledges and substantial dropoffs near the top so watch your step.

[Katzpur]

Hey, maksim, check out this link. Have you ever in your life seen anything so beautiful?