Arches National Park and The Fiery Furnace

Lomatium Canyon, U Turn Canyon, Landscape Arch, Delicate Arch
November 8, 9, 10, 2024

I had been wanting to explore some little known canyons that lay within the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park and suggested to Laura that we should head for Moab and see if we could find the obscure canyon, Lomatium. We figured that while we were there, we would make a long weekend of it and do a few other canyons and some hiking as well.

Hiking toward Granary Canyon. We started seeing puddles with ice right away.

Friday morning, we started early and drove to the trailhead for Granary canyon. We had read that this was a relatively dry canyon with the exception of following recent rains. While we were not aware of the previous weeks weather in the area, we made the assumption that the canyon would be dry. We parked the car early in the morning and all bundled up as the sun was yet to warm the cold winter desert. Hiking to the head of the canyon and the first rappel, we peered down to see water holding in a few pools. The three of us opted not to rappel into the canyon but rather walk along the rim to peer in further down into the canyon. We confirmed that it was holding too much water and backtracked our hike, returning to the car around 9:30 am.

Hazel and Justin on the approach to U-turn

Plans change and so we opted to head to Arches and run U-Turn canyon. Laura and I had done the approach in the past and knew Hazel would not have any trouble with it or the canyon. It took the three of us about 2.5 hours from the car. Hazel was very excited because this is the first canyon she was able to "rappel" on her own - I lowered her from above while Laura was below coaching her on pushing off with her feet. When we were done with the canyon, Hazel was proud of her accomplishment and was ready for more.

Hazel learning some rappelling techniques

We chose to add the hike out to Landscape Arch as well as a few other arches along the loop hiking trail that leads away from the road. The 3 mile hike wore Hazel out for the day and we headed for a Mexican dinner and hot tub at the hotel.

Laura and Hazel at Landscape Arch

Hazel at Pinetree Arch

The following morning Hazel, Laura and I hiked into the fiery furnace after obtaining our permits. We generally knew where to go to find Lomatium canyon, but there is zero beta out there for it, so with maps and notes from previous research, we hiked into the wild maze of sandstone fins.

Hazel climbing in the Firey Furnace

After following the ranger lead trail for a while, we continued off the beaten path climbing up and over fins, finally reaching a high point at where we knew we had found the entrance to the canyon. We downclimbed some slabs and a long, low angle crack in a fin and quickly came to a rappel sling. In an attempt to protect the sandstone as much as possible, I lowered Hazel and Laura and then downclimbed, so I did not have to pull a rope and cause any abrasion.

Hazel couldn't resist playing in the sand while waiting for Dad to downclimb

There were arches hidden everywhere in the Firey Furnace; we enjoyed searching them out.

Continuing down canyon, we reached a set of bolts that protected the longest rappel of the canyon. I went first and Laura and Hazel tandem rappelled behind me. Safely off rappel, we made our way down the canyon as it deepened into towering walls above. It was clear that Hazel was having fun when she broke out in song and dance while walking down the canyon. We eventually came to another rappel and upon completing the last challenge of Lomatium, hiked down to Skull Arch. Hazel doesn't like skeletons or skulls, so she renamed Skull Arch to Sunglasses Arch, which it was referred to for the rest of the trip.

Justin heading into the unknown

Laura and Hazel at Skull Arch AKA Sunglasses Arch

After some wandering around, we realized that we had missed our turn for Krill canyon. We ended up climbing up to, rather than rappelling into the belly of the whale in Krill. The feature in the sandstone was big and spectacular and missing out on the rappel was not a big deal to me. Laura, on the other hand, wanted to return to the canyon to rappel down into what we were just at so the canyon could be complete! We decided instead to hike out and give Hazel some rest. She had been a trooper for the last two days and was showing us just how determined and strong she is hiking and canyoneering.

Justin climbing into the Belly of the Whale

Hazel in the Belly of the Whale

On our final day in Moab, we hiked to Delicate Arch. Hazel liked going out and taking pictures and even made Laura and I go under the arch so she could take one of us together.

We headed home after hiking Delicate Arch and were happy with our adventurous weekend and our 4 year old adventure warrior!

Laura and Hazel at Delicate Arch

Laura, Hazel and Justin at Tunnel Arch

Hazel ready for an exciting day in the Firey Furnace

Hazel loves exploring

Justin checking out the amazing views in the Firey Furnace

Hazel exploring in the Firey Furnace

Hazel at Turtle Rock/Arch

Sliver Arch

Justin setting up the rope to protect Hazel

Hazel pretending to sleep while Dad checks out the route

Hazel at another hidden arch in the Firey Furnace

Hazel having fun out in the desert

Practice rappelling

Having fun in the sand while Dad sets up the rappel

Hazel leading the way down Lomatium

More rappels in a very scenic canyon

Hazel near Skull Arch in the Firey Furnace

Hazel loved the narrow passages and thought it was funny that she was faster than us

Hazel wanted to crawl through all of the tunnels we found

Hazel climbing up to the Belly of the Whale in the Firey Furnace

Justin looking out from the Belly of the Whale

Hazel in one of the tunnels we went through in the Firey Furnace

Relaxing after a fun day in the Firey Furnace

Justin and Hazel on the hike to Delicate Arch

Hazel cruising along the narrow stretch on the way to Delicate Arch. Other people were scared of this section and commented how impressed they were with her hiking ability.