Even though a lot of the driving would be off the interstate, in the long run, I'd save a ton of time than going down and driving through California.
By doing this, though, I found myself going through some very beautiful scenic areas of Utah, and I had my pick: Canyonlands or Arches. I chose Arches, and I'm very glad I did as it was quite impressive.
Arches National Park
The first photo evidence of my ride here. It's a 1998 Chevy Lumina. Notice the Brutus magnet.
Here's a better shot of the cloudy sky and the valley walls.
The drive up once you enter the park takes you to the top of the wall I showed in my last photo.
In the first photo, you can see the access road to the park to the left of the road. Where those two meet, is where I took the photos of my car. I am now atop the cliff wall in the second photo.
These are the LaSalle Mountains, to the southeast of the park. I got to drive by them in length on my up to the park.
Here are the famed "Three Gossips"
Balanced Rock on approach.
Quite impressive.
This was either the Sand Dune Arch or the Skyline Arch. It was on the rightside of the main road as you reach Devils Garden.
This is the trail to take you to the Pine Tree Arch.
This was the Pothole Arch, as the sign called it.
This is the Pine Tree Arch trail's end. But there really wasn't anything stating where the edges of the trail were.
Nothing really indicated that you couldn't walk under the arch. It's really impressive and awe-inspiring to do it. Plus, considering rocks do fall off these arches from time-to-time, a very slight risk as well.
This is Delicate Arch, probably the most famed of those in this park. To the point that it's on the Utah license plate and a symbol of the state.
I didn't take the 3mi hike to get up to it as I was in a bit of hurry. I still wanting to get well into Nevada that day. So, the half-mile walk to the lower viewpoint was the best I could do, and the reason for the distant photo.
LaSalle Mountains again. This time from the Delicate Arch viewpoint.
Approaching the Cove of Caves. I believe this one is the Cove Arch.
I decided not to take the hike to see the North and South Window, so this was the extent of my time in the park. Before I had realized it, I had been there for well over three hours.
But it was well worth it.