Lee's Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch

On our last trip south to Mesa, Arizona we made a second stop to stretch our legs and take in the beauty and history of the Southwest.  For some time we have watched the trucks and large machinery going in and out on the road to Lee's Ferry.  The road from 89A into Lee's Ferry has been completely redone and Glen wanted to check it out.  The new road is wonderful with pull outs for scenery viewing and hiking.  It is definitely worth the drive in as well as out for the beautiful views.

Lee's Ferry used to be the main and easiest crossing of the Colorado River.  Without the Navajo Bridge built to the south and Glen Canyon Dam  and bridge to the north, Lee's Ferry would continue to be the main crossing of the Colorado River.  The Colorado River creates a deep chasm known as the Grand Canyon as it travels southward and then west.

Some parts of the original buildings at the crossing still stand.

It is easy to tell from whence the building materials were found.

The Vermilion Cliffs have provided.

Glen framed by an old window frame.

Doorways were wide as well.

Scarce materials were used judiciously as in these roof timbers.

Mining also occurred at this out of the way place.

Equipment from the mining days of the early 1900's remains strewn about.

The mining for gold took place in 1914.

It is a lovely quiet place with a walking trail that takes one further upriver.

And upriver was the location of the ferry.

We felt fortunate that we were here near the end of day during that magic light time as the sun goes down.

It was easy to see why this place would be the easiest for crossing the river.

We walked back to the car . . .

as orange and pink turned to shadow.

 

We drove back out to the turn off to the Lonely Dell Ranch.

The cliffs to the south were not as tall and the magic light reappeared.

I can hardly imagine being so far from others with just the occasional traveler for company. Emma Lee, wife of John D. Lee of the Mountain Meadow Massacre fame, lived here with her family during the 1870's.

The ranch sits at the base of Paria Canyon next to the Paria River which empties into the Colorado.  Through the use of irrigation systems using the river they were able to survive.

Emma Lee was a brave woman.

Later quarters were built for guests and workers.

But the original shelters were humble.

The short walk in is worth the history and beauty.

As we traveled on the new road back to 89A, the sun cast its last rays on the Vermilion Cliffs.

It was the day's last hurrah, or almost last hurrah.  We also were rewarded a most colorful sky as we wound our way south across the Navajo Reservation.

If you could hie to Kolob

The first week of February, we enjoyed some Arizona warmth.  We also enjoyed a great road trip going south.  In the LDS or Mormon hymnbook, you will find the hymn "If You Hie to Kolob" with lyrics written by William Clayton and first published in the Times and Seasons in 1842.  The melody for this hymn is a well known folk tune "Dives and Lazarus." Kolob is a planet or star referred to in Mormon scripture.  As the Mormons settled the western United States many of the names given places and towns were based on names from Mormon scriptures.  Thus this beautiful place just five miles off Interstate 15 between Cedar City and St. George, Utah, is called Kolob Canyon.

My sister, Lynette, tagged along on this road trip.

Kolob Canyon is a part of Zion's National Park but has a separate entrance from the main entrance and is a several miles drive to the northwest.

It was interesting to be there during winter.  There was less green to contrast with the red rocks.

We had a great chauffeur and tour guide.

 There had been a big rain storm recently so our little hike to a lookout point was a muddy one when not sandy.  The views, however, were stunning.

A view south toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Pine Mountain to the west.

 Green, sandstone red, and blue.

The other part of Zion's peaking over the ridge.

It had been years, yes years, since we had taken that five mile drive.  I can not even count the number of times that we have whizzed by.  We will stop more often for I want to see it in every season.

Glen related a long ago story when he stopped with teenage boys in the car.

Can you guess what they might have named this special formation?

So now I have seen Kolob Canyon in winter.

And we will be back for spring, summer, and fall.  Did you know that the National Park Service is selling a $10 lifetime pass for all National Parks for those 62 and older?  Score!!