Where is Rainbow Bridge?

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Where is Rainbow Bridge?

Where is Rainbow Bridge?

Recently, a few prominant Sp-members did Navajo Mountain, and that jarred my memory of this particular photo taken from the mountain's 10,346' summit area. This is looking north, (from Arizona into Utah), with the colourful and remote Kaiparowits Plateau seen rising nearly 4,000 feet over the northern shores of dark-blue Lake Powell. Yes, Navajo Mountain itself is a lofty laccolith, with its dome-shaped or "whale-backed prominance" seen from several locations within both Arizona and Utah. The reason it is considered sacred to the Navajo Nation is it is a "snow-catcher," meaning that it "catches" snow every winter. This precious snow, along with a few natural springs, (such as Warbonnet Spring on the mountain's south side), provide water to an otherwise parched and arid landscape. Nevertheless, civilization has evidently found its way to Navajo Mountain's lofty summit, in the form of communication towers and maintenance buildings. As far as natural rescources go, there are still a fair amount of Ponderosa pine trees living on the broad summit area of this sacred mountain. This photo was taken several years ago by photographer Gary Ladd. It was when the water levels of Lake Powell were much higher and more substantial. Do you see 290-foot high Rainbow Bridge? It's located at the far left center of the picture, inside Bridge Canyon and to the left of the prominant red sandstone outcrop. It stands as a monument to time and the elements. (If you CLICK on the picture, you'll see both the bridge and its shadow.)
lcarreau
on Apr 22, 2008 4:00 pm
Lat/Lon: 37.04641°N / 110.76965°W
Image ID: 398242

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McCannster

McCannster - Apr 22, 2008 9:20 pm - Voted 10/10

one cool picture

I visited Rainbow Bridge when I was 11 years old. I hope to climb Navajo Mtn in the next couple years, hopefully sooner than later.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Apr 22, 2008 10:51 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: one cool picture

I have never seen Rainbow Bridge in person.
At one point, you could BOAT to within 1/4
mile from the bridge. The last time I
visited Lake Powell, I got my boat stuck
on the muddy bottom. Then, a strong wind
came and blew my wife and I off the lake.

Dean

Dean - Apr 22, 2008 9:39 pm - Voted 10/10

Only ten minutes more

Now I am asking myself why we didn't walk north for another ten minutes or so to the overlook. Of course my hands were freezing and my feet were trying to imitate my hands. It was really cold so I can see why the snow lingers up there.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Apr 22, 2008 11:02 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Only ten minutes more

Dean, it doesn't help to "second-guess"
ourselves in life. I'm still slapping
myself up alongside my noggan for not
noticing the "shack" on Mt. Timp's summit,
or not climbing Thielsen when I spent a
few nights at Crater Lake. I also missed
Mt. Whitney's summit by 2,000', and have
yet to climb Mt. Shasta. The opportunities
were there, but I seemed to come out SHORT.
Hope your fingers are all thawed out !!!
Have you tried a Butterfinger or Snickers?
- Larry :)

Tracy

Tracy - Apr 22, 2008 11:01 pm - Voted 10/10

Where's Wainbow?

It was like a game of "Where's Waldo," but with your hint I found it easily enough. I've actually been there (Rainbow Bridge) by boat in 1975 or so and remember looking up towards Navajo Peak. There used to be a boat marina in Bridge Canyon. I could go on about cliff jumping, ripped shorts, suffering from a mild concussion/amnesia, etc., but I'll skip the details (they are somewhat fuzzy memories, anyway). It's always good to see your contributions, Larry.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Apr 22, 2008 11:16 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Where's Wainbow?

Thank you, Tracy! Even though it is a small
world, it's easy to miss the little
opportunities that are given us. I'm glad
you were THERE. Perhaps, we should all
celebrate life by climbing a mountain, rather
it be a massive undertaking or simple
achievement. The views are always breathtaking. The memories are always
priceless, even though it takes awhile for
some of us to recall what lies inside our
heads. Best wishes, Tracy! - Larry of AZ

Viewing: 1-6 of 6