A magnificent fall day at Arches, warm temperatures, brilliant blue sky, glowing yellow leaves (Singleleaf Ash), or warm red (Oak and Poison ivy), or some of each (Sumac).
On November 3, twenty-seven people from the Utah Native Plant Society and Canyonlands Natural History Association enjoyed 3 hours hiking through the Fiery Furnace at Arches National Park. The trip was led by Steve Budelier, President of Canyonlands Chapter of the Utah Native Plant Society and a Park Ranger at Arches.
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Most hikers who venture into the area are guided by a Park Service ranger as
it would be easy place to get lost. These are the redrock fins depicted in
many photos, worn from Entrada sandstone into tall, gently rounded slabs or
spires or mounds. Arches and bridges are carved through the fins. Mazelike
passageways through narrow cracks and ledges make for interesting hiking and
some pretty narrow squeezes.
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 Richard Shaw |
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This late in the year there were no flowers remaining on plants, but we were
able to view the Canyonlands Biscuitroot (Lomatium latilobum), a plant found
only in areas with Entrada sandstone, endemic to the Colorado Plateau. Also
pointed out was the Longleaf Brickellbush (Brickellia longifolia).
Singleleaf Ash (Fraxinus anomala) is quite common within the canyons here,
and was quite showy in its yellow leaves. A very large, very old Ephedra
viridis is pictured in one of the photos.
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Balsamorhiza sp. |
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I've never seen a digital camera in action before, and I couldn't believe
how one could non-stop point and shoot. He got some gorgeous pictures, but
I think his eye must have been stuck to the viewfinder by the end of the day.
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Wallace |
