The initial section of Dragonfly consists of a hopscotch-like journey across an open expanse of slickrock - ever careful to avoid the abundant, yet fragile, cryptobiotic soil. This beginning is a stark contrast to the lush riparian environment that awaits downcanyon. Ten minutes of pleasant hiking leads to the canyon rim. Our view into the canyon below quickly establishes that this will be no ordinary hike, but one filled with a fun assortment of challenges that are friendly for all ages - a bit of climbing, swimming, rappelling and all that makes canyoneering one of the best ways to explore the southwest's hidden gems. As we scramble down in, numerous pools of water appear downcanyon. We can skirt around the first few pools, but eventually the narrow sandstone walls funnel us towards the inevitable. Off with the shoes and into the water we go! Several pools must be swam, each just long enough to cool you off on a warm day in the desert. Laughter, splashing and camera flashes fill the air as we work our way through the beautifully sculpted canyon pools. The last pool is the best since it...well, we'll leave it at that! Finally, the first rappel appears and it's a breathtaking sight. We'll dry off, harness up and spend some time learning the ropes before heading down. This rappel is a wonderfully-sloped pitch that is perfect for beginners and it deposits us into one of the prettiest canyons around Moab.

Those of us on a half-day trip will venture downcanyon a bit to enjoy this divine place before beginning our climb out of the canyon. The climb itself isn't too difficult - just enough so as to add a bit of fun and spice to an already fantastic hike. We do use ropes at one short section to belay each other for safety. Back on the rim we'll admire the incredible views all around us. It's at this point we appreciate the one really nice aspect of the half-day trips, and that is we leave early enough in the morning or late enough in the afternoon so that the sun's angle changes significantly from the time we enter the canyon to the time we reach the rim. So even though we may be admiring the same views we had earlier, the resulting change in sunlight and shadow give us a different appreciation of the amazingly rugged landscape of Arches National Park. It's no wonder the area has struck awe in countless authors, painters, photographers and the occasional tourist. A short walk back to the car has us back in town in time for a celebratory lunch or dinner.

Those of us on the full-day trip will continue down the canyon, which at this point is pleasantly scooped out of soft sandstone in a sort of halfpipe fashion. A short bit of twisting and turning through a slot abruptly ends at the second rappel. A very impressive drop, indeed! Views of the canyon floor a hundred feet below are breathtaking. One of the full-day hike's many exceptional moments is descending this final rappel into a circlet of sandstone walls shrouding a cool, quiet amphitheater. This little oasis, with its sand and large plunge pool, is a wonderful place to relax, have lunch and marvel at what water can create (kids love the pool's assortment of frogs, dragonflies, damselflies and other aquatic critters!).