Geological Survey Bulletin 1393 The Geologic Story of Arches National Park

Fiery Furnace

About half a mile farther uphill is a parking area for viewing the southeastern part of the Fiery Furnace (stop 20), a vast array of towering fins and pinnacles of the reddish Slick Rock Member separated by narrow slots, vaguely resembling flames shooting skyward. The view of the Fiery Furnace in figure 44 was taken about 1 mile farther up the hill. It is not difficult to get lost among this myriad of fins and narrow slots, so ranger-guided tours are conducted during the summer.

FIERY FURNACE, viewed northwest along park road about 1 mile northwest from stop 20. Fins and spires are of the joined Slick Rock Member (fig. 12), but the top of the Dewey Bridge Member is seen to the right of the curve in the road. (Fig. 44)

About 1 mile farther northwest is a parking area (stop 23) from which a short walk to the north end of Fiery Furnace leads to a narrow slot between high fins (fig. 45), along which a short sandy trail leads to a recess along the southwest wall containing Sand Dune Arch (fig. 46). This hidden arch receives sunshine only near the middle of the day and is a delightful, shady place to rest.

TRAIL TO SAND DUNE ARCH, looking northwest away from arch, between towering fins of Slick Rock Member, at northwest end of Fiery Furnace. Southeast end of Devils Garden in distance. (Fig. 45)

SAND DUNE ARCH, in recess along southwest wall of narrow slot shown in figure 45. Slick Rock Member. (Fig. 46)

From the entrance to the slot leading to Sand Dune Arch, a trail goes half a mile north across an open field to Broken Arch, shown in figure 16. This field, which separates the Fiery Furnace and Devils Garden areas, is seen from the air in figure 12.