Rangely in Rio Blanco County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Escalante Expedition

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2016

1. The Escalante Expedition Marker

Inscription. Discovered White River (which they called the San Clemente) and crossed it near here on Sept. 9, 1776. Seeking a route from Santa Fe to California, these Spanish explorers were the first white men to examine much of western Colorado.

This tablet is the
property of the State of Colorado

Erected by
The State Historical Society of Colorado
from the Wm. A. Braiden Fund and by
The Rio Blanco County Historical Society
and the Citizens of Rangely
Sept. 9, 1951

Erected 1951 by State Historical Society of Colorado, Rio Blanco County Historical Society, and the citizens of Rangely.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the History Colorado series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 1776.

Location. 40° 5.265′ N, 108° 47.15′ W. Marker is in Rangely, Colorado, in Rio Blanco County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street (Colorado Route 64) and Escalante Drive, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Marker is located in a pull-out on the north side of the street. Touch for map.

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Marker is in this post office area: Rangely CO 81648, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Taylor Draw Dam and Kenney Reservoir (approx. 4½ miles away).

Also see . . . Domínguez–Escalante Expedition (Wikipedia). Having traveled north and west through the Cañon Pintado, the expedition entered present-day Rio Blanco County, Colorado, named for the White River (which they named the Río de San Clemente), which runs into Utah at its western border. They crossed the White River just east of Rangely. After weeks of mountain, canyon and mesa travel, the land here was flatter. They followed a bison trail heading in the direction they wished to travel. (Submitted on January 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2016

2. The Escalante Expedition Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.