The Arch

The gravel crunched under the van’s tires bumping and jostling the crammed people inside. The tires slipped spitting up showers of rocks as the engine screamed slowly grinding up the hill. The van crested the hill and turned the corner sliding to a stop in the parking lot. As the group of 20 boys piled out and began to unpack the camping equipment I noticed how the skinny twisting trail was slightly overgrown and wet from the intermittent rain…
2 years earlier.
The crunch of the gravel had become a background noise; I stared out the window as we rounded the final bend into a gravel square designated as the trailhead parking lot. As the car rolled to a stop we threw open the doors anxious to stretch after the long car ride. We were glad for the break in the heavy rain that had accompanied us on our drive up as we dawned our packs and set off down the twisting overgrown trail. It immediately dove steeply downhill cutting strait to the floor of the valley before curving out of sight behind the thick growth. We slowly worked our way down switchback after switchback until the trail leveled out. Our pace quickened as the path weaved lazily through the trees and thick plants. Crossing a small creek our path turned sharply to follow alongside it. Several minutes later the overcast sky again began pouring its torrent of water upon us so the five of us dug out our rain gear of ponchos and coats and sat down to wait it out.
Ten minutes later the water let up and allowed us to continue are the trek. the trail became steeper as it wound toward are goal. Then all of a sudden the trail ended leaving us wondering where to go next. Me and another broke off and began searching for the trail if it picked back up. After awhile we gave up and cut straight at the arch followed at a distance by the other three. The clouds cleared as we emerged into the open of a massive rock plateau. After weaving around a few crevices and boulders we finally arrived at Harmonica Arch.
On the walk back the rain resumed soaking us again so we quickly loaded back into the van and began t he long drive downward. Looking out the back window the last view I say was a slightly overgrown trail wet from the rain.