The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was born in 1996 amid political controversy that has continued since that time. It is the largest national monument at 1.9 million acres, larger than the state of Delaware, and was the first to be administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Previously, all national monuments were the responsibility of the National Park Service, which seemed unwilling to add this park without funding. Its designation did not add any outdoor recreational opportunities, but did prohibit any development of natural resources.
The land within this monument is some of the most rugged, yet spectacularly beautiful, in all the country. It is a mecca for hiking, canyoneering, mountain biking, rock climbing, off-roading and certainly photography. Its countless canyons and cliffs are colorful and challenging. Most roads in the park are unpaved and likely to stay that way. BLM apparently feels they have no responsibility to improve or even maintain existing roads, and have a history of closing roads, in many cases through inappropriate practices, making it more difficult to access certain features. Counties themselves, who gain revenue through tourism, have often graded roads to improve accessibility.
On this occasion, I did a quick tour of a small section of the park during my Capitol Reef visit. I've been back several times since, but have barely scratched the surface of what is available.
Just had a chance to review your latest posts . . I'd forgotten how beautiful that area is . . I just can't imagine homesteading it
ReplyDeleteI have long been impressed by the people who settled the
Deletewest, and marvel at the courage or desperation it took to make a life in such rugged land. Facing such hardship, I wonder if they truly appreciated the beauty around them.
Thanks for your comment.