Near Tropic in Garfield County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Mossy Cave

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2024

1. Mossy Cave Marker

Inscription. This streamside walk leads to a small cave that fills with summer moss and winter ice. At one time, water only flowed through Water Canyon after summer storms and spring snowmelt. After settlers completed an irrigation canal in 1892, water was diverted from the plateau above, steeply eroding these fragile canyon walls and feeding a waterfall that regularly freezes in winter. Help us protect this delicate area by always staying on designated trails.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 37° 39.949′ N, 112° 6.613′ W. Marker is near Tropic, Utah, in Garfield County. It can be reached from Utah Route 12, on the right when traveling north. Marker located at the entrance to the Mossy Cave Trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tropic UT 84776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country

and specifically in Color Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Water Canyon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bringing Water to the Desert (approx. ¼ mile away); Hike the Hoodoos (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Tropic Ditch (approx. 2.6 miles away); Tropic Pioneers

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(approx. 3.2 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 3.7 miles away); Tragedy and Triumph (approx. 3.9 miles away); Bryce Airport (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tropic.

Also see . . .
1. Tropic Ditch wayside. (Submitted on November 9, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. A Pioneer Story. (Submitted on November 9, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2024

2. Mossy Cave Marker

Mossy Cave Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2024

3. Mossy Cave Trail

Mossy Cave Trail - Tropic Ditch Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2024

4. Mossy Cave Trail - Tropic Ditch Falls

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.