Wall Arch, in Utah's Arches National Park, before and after it collapsed last month.
Photo: National Park Service

by Brook Wilkinson

The last issue of Condé Nast Traveler includes the Iconic Itinerary that I wrote of the American Southwest. On Day 2, I recommend that readers hike the Devils Garden Trail in Arches National Park. However, as of early August, much of that trail has been closed because of the collapse of Wall Arch. (No, this wasn't the work of vandals--it was a completely natural occurrence caused by gravity and erosion.)

If you're headed to Utah in the next few weeks, here's my advice: Drive to the Devils Garden Trailhead and walk as far as you can along the trail, so that you can at least see the iconic Landscape Arch. Then circle back and drive over to the Delicate Arch trailhead for a three-mile roundtrip hike. You'll miss quite a few of my favorite arches back in Devils Garden (like the Double O), but the park service won't be opening that trail back up until they're sure that the rock won't collapse further.