HISTORY104 - Crossing the Colorado River at Lees Ferry
One of Pat’s and my favorite spots to visit in Arizona is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. In fact, we just returned from a short stay there. The North Rim is much less crowded than the South Rim and the canyon views are just as spectacular. On our several road trips from Tucson to the North Rim, we have passed Lees Ferry on the Colorado River. On this last trip, we stopped at the site and learned a little more about its fascinating history. So, this blog covers the complete history of Lees Ferry - a combination of what we learned on the trip, and research after returning to our home in Tucson. After a short introduction, I will cover the geography and geology of the area, its first indigenous inhabitants, and the first visit by Europeans. Next, I will discuss how Mormons from Utah, emigrating from the north to Arizona, used ferryboats to cross the Colorado River barrier. Next, I will discuss the building of two bridges across the Colorado River near Lees Ferry that replac