The holeintherock foundation preserving the history and. Hole in the rock an epic in the colonization of the. A memorial wall to the original hole in the rock pioneers was planned, installed, and dedicated in 2004 by thenpresiding bishop h. Hole in the rock crevasse looking down at lake powell on january 26, 1880, after six months of blasting and chiseling, an expedition of 250 mormon pioneers with their wagons and livestock descended through a rocky crevice known as the hole in the rock to the colorado river below now lake powell. You will hang on every word from your gracious guide at a cost anyone can. One day he was in a group of people who began sharply criticizing the church leaders for ever allowing the saints to cross the plains with. He was assigned as captain of the sixth ten, as the pioneers were organized into working units miller 101. Lund hopes to bring attention to one of the greatest stories in utah history, he says.
What others are saying a man who crossed the plains as a pioneer in the martin handcart company of 1856 lived in utah for many years. The first 85 miles of the pioneers route between parowan and escalante, utah, which were over established roads, are not shown on this map. Visit hole n the rock, a most unique home, carved out of a huge rock in utah s canyonlands country. New information received from wayne walton, july 26, 2019, a gg grandson of samuel bryson. This book is a must read for anyone traveling to the hole in the rock site. When it comes to creating spellbinding historical fiction, nobody does it quite like gerald n. He is also mentioned on pp 4, 162, 164, 168 of the hole in the rock book. A rich history the landmark began as a modest cave where cowboys camped in the early 20th century, but in 1945, brothers albert and leo christensen expanded the space and founded the hole n the rock diner. This road has major historical significance and also leads to some of bryce canyon countrys most incredible slot canyons. Hole n the rock photos a memorial to the homes builders, albert and gladys christensen travelers along u. Highway 191 in southwestern utah are amazed to discover this historic 5,000 square foot home which began taking shape almost a century ago by the christensen family.
Camped nearby in some eighty wagons were nearly 250 men, women, and children from the southern utah towns of parowan, paragonah, and cedar city. Holeinthe rock glen canyon national recreation area u. Follow this mile by mile guide for information on history along with. Twentyfoottall white letters painted on the side ensure that you dont miss moabs hole n the rock, a 5,000squarefoot home carved into sandstone by the christensen family nearly a century ago. Many of the individuals listed above were original settlers of bluff utah and came to the region with the hole in the rock expedition of 187980. Known as the hole in the rock trail, its direct penetration through the colorado river gorge and surrounding topography shortened distances over alternative routes by up to hundreds of miles.
University of utah press, isbn 0874804256, oclc 30473917. This historic 5,000 square foot home and unusual gift shop and trading post are open all year. Many of these pioneers were already in san juan county when the holeintherockers arrived. Hole in the rock an epic in the colonization of the great american west. Much of hole inthe rock road is passable to highclearance, twowheel drive vehicles in dry weather. The hole in the rock trail often hyphenated as hole in the rock is a historic trail running eastsoutheast from the town of escalante in southern utah in the western united states. Worst 5 accidents in utah history the advocates utah. Hole in the rock an epic in the colonization of the greatamerican west. After much more work, the majority of the square was acquired, a visitors center was opened, and plans were made for reconstruction of the coop store. Known as the hole inthe rock trail, its direct penetration through the colorado river gorge and surrounding topography shortened distances over alternative routes by up to hundreds of miles. Though this book is titled as a trail guide, it is first of all a good account of the adventure, along with plenty of. Highway 191 in southwestern utah are amazed to discover this historic 5,000 square foot home which began taking shape almost a. Hole inthe rock accident, 1963 in 1963, a cattletruck filled with over 40 boy scouts and leaders from the provoarea was driving along a dusty road in southern utah near escalante. Built by chiseling and blasting a path through a steep crevice named the hole inthe rock, their road stands today as a testament of.
Youth groups and the hole inthe rock trail trekking groups who visit a site of historical significance along the hole inthe rock trail or walk over ground, hallowed by the sacrifice and struggles of the san juan pioneers, can have a remarkable experience. As mandated by the lds church a group of approximately 236 people traveled with the goal of settling the south eastern area of the utah territory. Just prior to the creation of lake powell, a party of 49, including explorer scout post 36 from lds pleasant view 3rd ward, provo, utah, set out on an expedition to run the colorado river rapids between holeintherock and glen canyon. This map and the detailed maps below cover the most popular portions of the pioneers route that required new road blazing by the hole in the rock pioneers.
This road leads to a famous spot in mormon pioneer history a slot to access the colorado river. Lynn griffin last wagon hole in the rock mormon pioneers. Mormons, miners, padres, mountain men, and the openi. If you are in scottsdale or phoenix, hole in the rock is a perfect place for a short hike and rock climbing. Published on apr 27, 2018 starting in moab utah i visited lin ottingers rock shop to check out some of the unusual dinosaur relics. Hole n the rock is an intriguing place located on highway 161 south of moab. August 09, 1982 the hole in the rock trail often hyphenated as holeintherock is a historic trail running eastsoutheast from the town of escalante in southern utah in the western united states.
It was a tough time, wyndee hansen, who owns the property now with her husband, erik, tells. A portion of the group camped at the top of the hole in the rock, a narrow crack in the canyon rim 2. Hole in the rock an epic in the colonization of the great. The signature sticks out from the rock as it has resisted erosion. Rock climbing utahs wasatch range falcon guide bret and stuart ruckman, golden, co, 1998 chockstone purchase this book. The shortcut proved to be deceptive, and the pioneers spent the winter at fortymile spring.
Holeintherock road earth tours southern utah, grand. Hole intherock pioneers is a name that originated from the pioneer group that met the harrowing challenge of a narrow crevice in a rock ravine that sent them down a 45degree plunge over 2,000 feet to the colorado river. Mormon pioneers descend the hole they had blasted into the rock. Scroll down the left column labels to find the surname of the pioneer you are looking for. The story of the december 1879 holeintherock expedition, when 250 men, women, children, with 80 wagons and many cattle and horses, passed through 200 miles of impossible country to lay foundations for a mormon settlement in the four corners area. Pioneer descendants preserve history of the hole in the rock. If you are looking for the most comprehensive book on this subject, look no further. In the spring of 1880 a direct supply and access road connecting southwestern and southeastern utah was completed. Aug 09, 2009 it is against this backdrop that lund, probably bestknown for his ninevolume novel series on lds church history, the work and the glory, has set his latest story, the undaunted. David millers book provides a thorough if understated history of the san juan expedition and their adventures down the hole and across the badlands of escalante.
Huge and excellent climbing resources for the wasatch range. Historic hole in the rock trail, bluff fort, utah youtube. Complete history of utah in encyclopedia form consisting of 575 articles and over 200 historic photographs. Not content to be just another guy with a drill and a dream, he handcarved his luxurious suite of rooms out of a natural cliff face in the 1940s. A photo of the current town of bluff showcases the geographical feature for which it was named. The rough and broken country is characterized by sheer walled cliffs, mesas, hills, washes, slickrock, cedar forests, and sand. Hole in the rock information hole in the rock road. Gerald lund highlights pioneers struggle across untamed. Millers book was the source for much of the information in this article. Ive always been curious about the hole in the rock because of my dads enthusiastic if confused stories of visiting this pioneer history site in the fourcorners sector of utah. Hole inthe rock road, grand staircaseescalante national monument, utah 55 mile route alongside the straight cliffs and fiftymile mountain, from hwy 12 near escalante to lake powell, passing many trailheads, for hikes along the tributary canyons of the escalante river. Take a guided tour of the home, and appreciate the rich history within its walls. Oct 15, 2011 the story of the december 1879 holeintherock expedition, when 250 men, women, children, with 80 wagons and many cattle and horses, passed through 200 miles of impossible country to lay foundations for a mormon settlement in the four corners area. It also points out fascinating natural history along the way, making a guide to southern utahs holeintherock trail a significant reference for a variety of readers.
Many of these pioneers were already in san juan county when the hole in the rockers arrived. Highway 191 in southern utah, in the heart of canyonlands country, is one of the most unique roadside attractions in the united states. Hole in the rock road escalante 2020 all you need to. They were fulfilling an assignment from their church, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, to. Jul 16, 2016 historic hole in the rock trail, bluff fort, utah pierre repooc productions. In 1879, 230 settlers in southwestern utah heeded the call from leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to pull up stakes and move to the distant san juan count. Getting to escalante when coming from northern utah is really pretty, especially when you get to the fin part of the freeway where you have to slow down to 20 miles per hour. The home is so livable and comfortable, charming and almost entertaining. One of the few published historical accounts written of the mormon pioneers. Dance hall rock was a sandstone formation on the hole inthe rock trail where latterday saint pioneers danced in the evenings while scouts searched for a viable route to their destination. It contains hundreds upon hundred of rocks, minerals, and fossils.
Miller for more historical fiction with fact footnotes try. While much of the area is now underwater lake powell, the book was written before lake powell so it gives a. The truck slowly crept up a steep 8 percent grade hill. Holeintherock the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. A guide to southern utah s hole in the rock trail stewart aitchison. Hole in the rock is a historic site in utah where the mormon pioneers had to dynamite a path down the mountain to get through to the colorado river. For most latterday saints in utah, the name hole in the rock has a pioneer ring to it, but, for many, the details of the journey that. On january 26, 1880, after six months of blasting and chiseling, an expedition of 250 mormon pioneers with their wagons and livestock descended through a rocky crevice known as the hole in the rock to the colorado river below now lake powell. I n the spring of 1880 a direct supply and access road connecting southwestern and southeastern utah was completed. Mormon pioneers took six months to get through this journey.
San juan river valley as seen from san juan hill, journeys end. Links added2for six weeks, the men labored on a wagon road down the sandstone cliffs to the colorado river. Hole in the rock trail travels historic slickrock or weathered sandstone. Hole in the rock is near the zoo and is a great easy hike for those looking to absorb the amazing view of the valley and the phoenix tempe area with mountains in the background. I wanted to know, so i bought a booklet called the story of the hole n the rock by maxine newell. Hole n the rock moab 2020 all you need to know before. Does not include american fork but covers everything from city creek canyon down past little cottonwood. Hole in the rock road escalante 2020 all you need to know. Youth groups and the hole in the rock trail trekking groups who visit a site of historical significance along the hole in the rock trail or walk over ground, hallowed by the sacrifice and struggles of the san juan pioneers, can have a remarkable experience.
In addition to the historical value of the story of these pioneers, this guide includes road logs, maps, and hiking trails along the historic trail. Corinne roring, former president of the hole in the rock foundation, said, when the time is right, it will happen. And, yep, the book title has one apostrophe after the n, while the name painted on. The mormon church pioneers blazed a trail through this. While much of the area is now underwater lake powell, the book was written before lake powell so it gives a first person description of the terrain.
Nov 06, 2015 preserving and sharing the hole in the rock story has been a dream of many bluff pioneer descendants for years. The 1,300 foot descent approaching 45 degrees could only be accomplished. Hole in the rock phoenix 2020 all you need to know. The incredible story of hole n the rock, utahs famous. One of the things that makes it so good is that, written in 1951, the hole in the rock expedition wasnt so long ago when the book was written.
Hole in the rock is a narrow and steep crevice in the western rim of glen canyon, in southern utah in the western united states. By the 1870s, they had expanded settlements into the southern portions of what is today the state of utah. A guide to southern utahs holeintherock trail aitchison, stewart on. Sep 29, 2011 click show more 7 kids, 10 years, 30 countries free report. Holeintherock road, grand staircaseescalante national. You know if it is the smithsonian they arent going to be rolling out any rockhounding books that are sub par. Moab, utah albert christensens home is in a neighborhood of its own the knobby, treeless void of southeastern utah. The first part of the road can be traveled in a passenger car but then you hit a 20yard stretch of pure sand and after that the road is full of difficult stretches that require 4wheel drive. In 1879 when a group of mormon pioneers began the now famous hole inthe rock expedition, the san juan region of southeastern utah was one of the most isolated parts of the united states. Its natural to wonder how and why a 5,000squarefoot, 14room house, complete with carpeted floors, got built inside of a rock way out in the utah desert.
Pioneers identified with san juan pioneers who came to the area between 18791880 from other directions, other than holeintherock will be identified with after their surname. In all of american pioneer history, few stories can match the holeintherock expedition for unlikeliness, determination, and ingenuity. The hole in the rock home in the canyonlands of utah is a 5000 square feet engineering marvel complete with 14 rooms and a bathtub all carved into sandstone. The history of the hole n the rock is so fascinating, how two people could carve a home out of a rock is beyond comprehension. Originally published by the university of utah press. Hole in the rock utah department of natural resources. The pathway at hole in the rock is still cleared out, and you get to hike through the path that these enduring people traveled, bringing wagons down with all of their stuff and their oxen. On 6 april 1880, after another ten weeks of grueling labor in harsh winter conditions, the missionaries reached a sandy bottomland along the banks of the san juan river where they established bluff city. The mormon trailblazers who established this trail crossed the colorado river and ended their journey in the town of bluff. After driving the wagons through the holeintherock and ferrying across the 300footwide river, the emigrants proceeded east out of the river gorge. Though this book is titled as a trail guide, it is first of all a good account of the adventure, along with plenty of photographs that bring home the toughness of the terrain. Hole in the rock road slot canyons march 18, 2016 by lo leave a comment hole in the rock road is a hidden utah treasure that i love sharing with friends and family interested in seeing more of what utah has to offer.
Lund, or even better stop into our visitors center where we have these books, and more, along with escalante residents to talk to about this wild west. San juan pioneers who came to the area between 18791880 from other directions, other than hole in the rock will be identified with after their surname. On june 10, 1963, a group of explorer scouts and their adult leaders from provo and the salt lake city area were headed for an outing to hole inthe rock, kane county, utah. A portion of the group camped at the top of the hole inthe rock, a narrow crack in the canyon rim 2. Hole in the rock road escalante all you need to know.