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Monday, August 11, 2008
Large arch at Arches National Park collapses
The Wall Arch at Arches National Park collapsed early last week, the
sandstone a victim of time and erosion. Shown above is a photo I took on
our visit to the park back some nine years ago as we hiked along Devils
Garden Trail. According to Paul Henderson, the park's chief of
interpretation, "They all let go after a while."
I plan to write a book someday from our travels, but in the meantime
here's a snippet I wrote when we stayed in Moab -
Upon entering
Arches National Park, we went up a winding road to view the many
sandstone and sculpted slickrock formations formed from 100 million
years of erosion and underground salt beds. The snow peaked La Sal
Mountains could be seen in the distance. The mountains got their name
from Spanish explorers who thought they looked like piles of salt when
covered by snow. There are over 2,000 arches to view in this tranquil
place in Utah. Native Americans traveled these lands for thousands of
years, leaving evidence of petroglyph and pictograph drawings. Ranchers
came in the late 1800s to raise cattle in the side canyons. Be sure to
stay on the trails if you go. The soil is fragile, made up of algae,
fungi, and lichens. This crust absorbs moisture and helps prevent
erosion in the harsh climate. The best time for photos are in the early
morning or late in the afternoon, where the colors of the rocks appear
the richest (photos to appear here soon). As we left the park late in
the day, we saw a skinny mule deer along the road, one of many we have
seen on our journey.
