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Fiery Furnace (Arches National Park)

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The Fiery Furnace is a collection of narrow sandstone canyons, fins and natural arches located near the center of Arches National Park in Utah, United States.

Pinnacles of the Fiery Furnace

The area is a popular hiking destination that was named for the reddish hue it exhibits in sunset light.[1] Arches National Park has more than 2,000 cataloged sandstone arches,[2] with some being located in the Fiery Furnace, including Walk Through Arch, Crawl Through Arch, Skull Arch, Kissing Turtles Arch, and Surprise Arch.[3]

Ecology

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The Fiery Furnace contains a variety of plant species, including one of the largest known concentrations of Canyonlands biscuitroot.[4] Fragile ecological features such as biological soil crust and ephemeral pools are also found within the Fiery Furnace, and are vulnerable to visitor impact.[5]

Visitor Access

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Due to the environmental impacts of heavy visitation, the National Park Service initiated a permit system in 1994 to limit access to the Fiery Furnace.[6] Visitors may purchase permits to hike in the Fiery Furnace alone or join a ranger-guided tour.[7] Two trails lead hikers from the parking lot into the Fiery Furnace, but once inside, hikers must navigate the trailless labyrinth of rock formations.[8] To minimize impact on the plant communities, visitors must walk along sandy washes or on sandstone surfaces. During the approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) ranger-guided tour, which lasts about three hours, visitors will encounter uneven terrain, drop-offs, and narrow passages.[9] Rangers describe the history of the area, while noting the most prominent arches and other geologic features.[10] Visitors can also choose to obtain a self-guided permit and hike through the Fiery Furnace on their own; however, they are required to watch an orientation video describing the area and how to minimize their impact.[11]

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  •  
    Aerial view with park road along bottom
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    Skull Arch
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    Juniper tree
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    Surprise Arch with tour guide
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    Panorama

References

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  1. ^ Schneider, Bill (2017). Hiking Canyonlands and Arches National Park. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 64. ISBN 978-1493027385.
  2. ^ "Arches". National Park Service. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  3. ^ Malitz, Jerome; Malitz, Susan (2005). Arches National Park Dayhiker's Guide. Boulder, CO: Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 1555663362. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Implementation Plan" (PDF). Coastal Training Program: Elkhorn Slough. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Why is the Fiery Furnace So Special?". Fiery Furnace Tour. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  6. ^ Schneider, Bill (2017). Hiking Canyonlands and Arches National Park. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 64. ISBN 978-1493027385.
  7. ^ "Fiery Furnace Hikes: Go With a Ranger". National Park Service. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  8. ^ Malitz, Jerome; Malitz, Susan (2005). Arches National Park Dayhiker's Guide. Boulder, CO: Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 1555663362. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Fiery Furnace Hikes: Go With a Ranger". National Park Service. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  10. ^ Malitz, Jerome; Malitz, Susan (2005). Arches National Park Dayhiker's Guide. Boulder, CO: Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 1555663362. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Fiery Furnace Permits: Go on your own". National Park Service. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
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