{{Short description|Natural arch in San Juan County, Utah}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox landform | name = Angel Arch | type = [[Rock arch]] | image =The Angel in Salt Creek canyon.jpg | caption = East aspect in the morning light | elevation_ft = 5692 | elevation_ref = <ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=1434965|name=Angel Arch|accessdate = August 29, 2020}}</ref> | pushpin_map = Utah#USA | map_caption = Location in Utah | location = [[Canyonlands National Park]]<br/>[[San Juan County, Utah|San Juan County]], [[Utah (U.S. state)|Utah, U.S.]] | coordinates = {{coord|38.0519325|N|109.7551235|W|type:landmark_region:US-UT_source:gnis|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name="gnis"/> | geology = [[Cedar Mesa Sandstone]] | age = [[Permian]] | topo = [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] ''Druid Arch'' | height = {{cvt|135|ft|m}} | width = {{cvt|120|ft|m}} }}

'''Angel Arch''' is the largest natural arch located within [[Canyonlands National Park]], in [[San Juan County, Utah]].<ref name="gnis"/><ref>Mike White / Douglas Lorain, ''Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico'', University of Nevada Press, 2016</ref> Some consider it the most beautiful and spectacular arch in the park, if not the entire canyon country.<ref>S. W. Lohman, ''The Geologic Story of Canyonlands National Park'', Geological Survey Bulletin 1327, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1974, page 68.</ref> It is situated in a side canyon of Salt Creek Canyon, in the Needles District of the park. Precipitation [[Surface runoff|runoff]] from Angel Arch drains north into the nearby [[Colorado River]] via Salt Creek. A 29-mile round-trip hike to Angel Arch leads to a viewpoint, and an additional 0.75-mile trail [[scrambling|scrambles]] up into the arch opening. The arch's descriptive name comes from its resemblance to an angel with wings folded, and standing with its back to the arch opening.<ref>Ron Adkinson, ''Utah's National Parks'', Wilderness Press, 2001.</ref> Before this feature's name was officially adopted in 1963 by the [[U.S. Board on Geographic Names]], it was called Pegasus Arch.<ref name="gnis"/> The [[first ascent]] was made in June 1993, by John Markel and Kevin Chase.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deserttowersbook.com/first-ascentssince-1911|title = First Ascents-since 1911}}</ref>

==Geology== This geological formation is an eroded [[Fin (geology)|fin]] composed of [[Cedar Mesa Sandstone]], which is the remains of coastal [[dune|sand dunes]] deposited about 245–286 million years ago, during the early [[Permian]] period.<ref name=cany>{{cite web|url=https://nps.gov/cany/learn/nature/cedarmesa.htm|title=Canyonlands National Park - Cedar Mesa Sandstone|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref> The top of the formation rises {{convert|450|ft|m}} above the canyon floor, and the opening has a height of {{convert|135|ft|m}}, and a width of {{convert|120|ft|m}}.<ref>[http://www.naturalarches.org/BobsArches/AngelArch1.html Bob Fagley, Angel Arch]</ref>

==Climate== Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Angel Arch. According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, it is located in a [[Cold semi-arid climate]] zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below −0&nbsp;°C (32&nbsp;°F) and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.

==Gallery== <div style="max-width: 500px;"> <gallery mode=slideshow> File:Angel Arch, along tributary of Salt Canyon.jpg|Angel Arch File:The Molar and Angel Arch.jpg|The Molar (left) and Angel Arch at mid-day File:Canyonlands NP Angel Arch.jpg|East aspect in afternoon File:A131, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA, Angel Arch, 2004.jpg|Southeast aspect File:Angel Arch, 1958.jpg|Southwest aspect </gallery> </div>

==See also== * [[Colorado Plateau]] * [[Geology of Utah]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons}} * [https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needles.htm Canyonlands National Park] National Park Service * Angel Arch: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5534445/United%20States/Utah/San%20Juan/Angel%20Arch weather forecast] * Angel Arch: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VVfMLL4nkY YouTube] * [https://calisphere.org/item/1fd3c82e1ac9ed14e0a6f685e12183b4/ 1956 photo (as Pegasus Arch)]

[[Category:Natural arches of San Juan County, Utah]] [[Category:Canyonlands National Park]] [[Category:Sandstone formations of the United States]]