Directions:
Trail Notes: Fiery Furnace is a series of fins creating a maze of tightly packed canyons. We didn't really get out and explore them - the cost of doing a one day tour de force of Arches.
My husband and I went on the ranger guided tour in early June 2010, went on the 9am hike. This was totally worth the $10 per person fee because the ranger was able to teach us things we wouldn't have known on our own. We had kids and old people with knee problems and everyone was able to get through but it was a little hard for the older lady with the bad knee. You need a hiking permit if you want to do this hike without the ranger.
I recomend this hike highly. Although it is not an exhilerating hike it has some very spectacular items to see. The ponds teaming with life was simple awesome in such arid terrain. The ranger escort was very informative and well worth the fee. I did this hike in morning and at the begining of July. It would have been very hot coming out if our group had been in the afternoon. I would highly recomend an early or late hike. But it is worth taking the trip in.
We did the Fiery Furnace during the first week of June 2009. The weather was great and not too hot. Just because it's a short distance doesn't mean that it's easy. Much of this walk is slow going - waiting for everyone in your group to finish creaping through narrow spaces and over rock formations. You'll be walking up and down slick rock to some suprising locations. You will learn how much of the area was formed by your ranger escort. It helps to be agile and to have good shoes. We had to pay $10.00 each but felt it was well worth the cost and when it was all said and done we gave each other a pat on the back for finishing!
There is a little fun scrambling and the ranger is quite informative. I believe the ranger tour is $10/person, and you would be wise to reserve a spot in advance, particularly on weekends. Tours leave in the morning and in the late afternoon; the sunlight is supposed to be at the best, glowing red in the late afternoon. Personally, I was there during a rainstorm. There was a little baby flash flood, and it was really neat to see waterfalls where there had been dry sand minutes before.
Great hike for families. Signed up with the National Park and did the hike with a guide. A bit of scramble over rocks, but a very unique and fun hike. Would not suggest doing this hike during the midday in summer. More of a morning or early evening hike.
