We got an early start from parking lot #1 to get good early light. We wandered west, then north and made a loop of about 5 miles and 1000 feet back to the car.
First we headed toward the smooth tan sandstone dome in the background. That dome is the location of Top Of the World Arch. The route has to dodge several out crops but is actually no problem.
Getting closer to the tan sandstone the rocks get very colorful
Walking directly toward the tan sandstone and up to the mushroom rocks on top is a possible route to the actual arch but you have to have no fear of heights. We turned back at a narrow place right in front of the large broken rock sitting below the highest outcrop in the top center of the photo it was about a 300 ft straight drop if we slipped.
This is the place known as the Squeeze. it is directly below top of the world arch in the valley. We dropped into it and turned right toward the eye of the iguana.
Passed some large fins on the way
This is a side excursion up a slab to look around
This is on the direct route to top of world arch. It is immediately past the large broken rock at the top of the angled slab where it meets the vertical rocks. It was too exposed for me.
The eye of the iguana
Another excursion up a side slab
yellow stripped rocks
more colorful rocks
A new arch we saw.
Looking toward rock of gibraltar
Small slot near the movie set
Kaolin wash just east of the small slot
Kaolin wash across the road on the way to the Fire Wave
Climbing up out of the wash well before arriving at Fire wave
Layered red and yellow
General slick rock continuing south toward white nipple
Looking back toward rock of gibraltar with optical illusion arch in front.
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