Delicate Arch sits in perfect balance on a blistering summer evening.

The hike to Delicate Arch is only 3 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 480 feet, but on this particular trip it was one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done.  It was a blistering July afternoon as I sat in my Moab hotel room with the air conditioning negating the sweltering temperatures outside.  As sunset approached I fought an internal struggle.  Do I to remain comfortable sitting in my bed listening to the AC hum, or do I brave a trek into the 108 degree desert with the promise of a good photo never guaranteed?  My logical self prevailed as I packed up my bags to drive into Arches where the heat hit me immediately as I hit the trail.  I initially seemed to manage by staying hydrated until I reached the slickrock, where hikers are not only continuously exposed to direct sunlight but also to sunlight reflecting from the ground below. Drenched in sweat, I clearly remembered needing to pause every several steps to drink water and catch my breath.

I reached the top about an hour before sunset and watched as thick clouds rolled in from all directions, especially towards the West.  Here came internal battle #2, waiting out the next hour in the sweltering heat with the prospect of a good sunset looking less and less likely, or starting the hike down to my car.  My logical self was not quite so lucky this time around and I actually began to hike down.  I don’t know what happened in the next fifteen minutes but for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to completely abandon the sunset and reversed course once again.  Perhaps it was mild heat stroke, but my perseverance rewarded me with one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen at Delicate Arch.  As the fading light illuminated a small rainbow against a dynamic backdrop of clouds, I remembered serendipitous scenes such as this one make the hard work all worth it.