OK, I've been here before but there's snow in spots and I've never hiked the Neck Spring Trail; a trail that drops into the canyon and follows the "neck" which connects the mainland to the island (hence Island in the Sky). Started about 9:30; the trail followed the curvature of the canyon. Still a fair bit of snow on the trail so it was slow going in spots (slippery).
Followed a small creek (probably Neck Spring) to a nice frozen waterfall. The vegetation along the trail varied along the way -- must be really pretty in the Spring. Trail was really easy to follow until point when I lost it -- and there were many footprints so I wasn't only one. I looked around, backtracked and tried again -- I didn't want to turn around I was more than 3mi into the trail (and the 3rd time in 2 days)-- and then I saw the cairn and was on my way again (whew)!
The rest of the trail was marked. The climb out of the canyon was very steep and up slickrock. I can see why they forced people to go counterclockwise because heading down this steep slickrock would've been more than a bit intimidating.
The walk back along top of the canyon was snowy but beautiful.
Next stop -- revisit Mesa Arch but this time during the day. Met a nice couple from Australia at the Arch. They were here on a 5wk vacation. Then did the overlook before heading out.
Stopped at Arches NP visitors center to see if the trails to Tower Arch and Double O Arch were passable. Double O Arch trail was very icy and the dirt road to Tower Arch trailhead was too wet for a 2-wheel drive car --- I need to make alternate plans.
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