Vacationers driving wagons and Model T Ford's rumbled up this road in the 1920s to spend a week or more at Sophie and John Holzswarth's Trout Lodge. After each day's fishing, guests strolled to the "Mama" Cabin-the largest building to the left where . . . — — Map (db m162341) HM
One of the Kawuneeche Valley's first dude ranches once thrived here. In 1917, German immigrants Sophia and John G. Holzwarth built their homestead here, after wartime prohibition closed their saloon in Denver. Originally ranchers, they began hosting . . . — — Map (db m162343) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Automobiles Come to Grand Lake (panel 1)
The number of automobiles had become so large that in 1913 the State of Colorado began issuing its first license plates. The 1915 dedication of Rocky Mountain National Park drew 2000 people, . . . — — Map (db m129881) HM
On Grand Avenue east of Pitkin Street, on the right when traveling east.
In 1881 James Cairns built his first store here to serve the miners. In 1908 he replaced it with a better building, purchased by Matilda Humphrey in 1924. It survives as the central part of the Humphrey store. The small residence was Cairns interim . . . — — Map (db m129850) HM
Near Lake Avenue, 0.1 miles west of Hancock Street, on the right when traveling west.
Grand Lake was formed by glacial action, the ice gouged back into the mountains to the east. As the climate warmed, the glacier melted irregularly, leaving ridges of clay and rocks called moraines. Moraines edge the west and north shore, and are . . . — — Map (db m129855) HM
On Lake Avenue at Garfield Street, on the left when traveling west on Lake Avenue.
The largest natural lake in Colorado Formed by glaciation 30,000 years ago Long known as the headwaters of the Colorado River. It is included in the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Water from here flows through the “Adams Tunnel” to Estes . . . — — Map (db m129892) HM
Near Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) 0.2 miles east of Western Road (County Highway 49), on the right when traveling east.
Grand Lake Lodge Built 1919
has been placed on the National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
— — Map (db m129878) HM
On Lake Avenue, 0.1 miles west of Hancock Street, on the right when traveling west.
Ezra Kauffman first came to the area as a hunting guide and miner in 1877. After the mines closed, he raised his family in the community he loved. He completed this hotel in 1892 and operated it until his death in 1920. The Kauffman family . . . — — Map (db m129856) HM
The Kawuneeche Valley is prime moose habitat. Wetlands along the Colorado River support aquatic plants, willows, and Aspen that moose eat. Moose frequented here, then were hunted out of the area by the early 1900s. In the late 1970s, the Colorado . . . — — Map (db m164288) HM
On Grand Avenue east of Garfield Street, on the left when traveling east.
When the town of Grand Lake was platted in 1881, Grand Avenue was designed to be 100 feet wide. Although traffic congestion was not a problem, extra space was allowed for rodeos and horse races.
The Public Square was often used for community . . . — — Map (db m129840) HM
On Hancock Street north of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Rapids Lodge is one of three tourist hotels built between 1900 and 1920. The other two burned. Laps Ish, the owner and builder, sawed all lumber of lodgepole pine. Until about 1935 the lights and some heat for the hotel came from his own water . . . — — Map (db m129852) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
In 1882 P.H. Smith settled in Grand Lake. He built a hotel and also operated a sawmill, carpentry shop, and a large resort. Around 1915, along with the Alfred Eslick family, he built this Motor Court, designed to accommodate both visitors and their . . . — — Map (db m129857) HM
Near Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Smith Eslick Bay Window Cottage was built by the Eslick's youngest child, Loren, in 1933 when he was 26 years old. It was intended to be a check-in and store for the guests staying at the Cottage Court and other Smith and Eslick family cabins . . . — — Map (db m129884) HM
The Rapid Growth
The second largest wildfire in Colorado history, the East Troublesome Fire, was first reported on October 14, 2020. Originating northeast of Kremmling, it continued to burn eastward for about two weeks. The peak spread . . . — — Map (db m242392) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Smith Eslick Cottage Court (panel 1)The Smith-Eslick Cottage Court is believed to be the oldest original-condition motel in the United States. Built at about the same time as the 1915 opening of Rocky Mountain National Park and the . . . — — Map (db m129879) HM
On Lake Avenue at Cairns Street, on the left when traveling east on Lake Avenue.
Entrepreneur P.H. Smith brought his family to Grand County from Kansas. In 1893 he started a sawmill in Grand Lake and acquired several local properties.
A skillful craftsman, P.H. Smith built many significant structures, including the Grand . . . — — Map (db m129883) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Smith Eslick Family (panel 1)
Entrepreneur P.H. Smith brought his family to Grand County from Kansas. In 1893 he started a sawmill in Grand Lake and acquired several local properties.
A skillful craftsman, P.H. Smith built many . . . — — Map (db m129880) HM
On Vine Street north of Lake Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
It's said that Grand Lake has always had tourists. Even the original visitors, the Ute and Arapaho for example, would come in the summer to hunt and fish in the largest natural lake in Colorado, but would leave when winter approached. Then, as now, . . . — — Map (db m129882) HM
On East Byers Avenue at 1st Street, on the right when traveling east on East Byers Avenue.
The schoolhouse was built east of
Cottonwood Pass in 1920. After it was
discontinued as a school in 1942, the
building was occupied by lettuce growers
and later moved to a nearby ranch and used
for grain storage. It was moved to this . . . — — Map (db m246955) HM
Near Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) at Ditch Road, on the right when traveling south.
This miner's cabin is one of the oldest buildings left standing in the Kawuneeche Valley. In 1902, Joseph Fleshuts homesteaded 160 acres here with the intent to live on the land for at least five years. Life must have been hard. In 1911 he abruptly . . . — — Map (db m89117) HM
Near U.S. 40 at milepost 240,, 5.8 miles west of Henderson Mine Road, on the right when traveling west.
Berthoud Pass Across the Continental Divide between South Platte and Colorado River drainages
Altitude 11,314 Feet
Discovered by Capt. E.L. Berthoud Colorado pioneer May 12, 1861. Surveyed by Berthoud and Jim Bridger July, 1861. Toll Road . . . — — Map (db m129889) HM
This vast area was once covered by extensive sand dunes. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest carried tons of fine-grained sand into this area, creating an immense desert.
Over time, the sand drifts were covered by other layers of . . . — — Map (db m160002) HM
On Arches Entrance Road, on the right when traveling north.
The forces of erosion are sculpting more than just arches. Balanced Rock clearly shows the various layers responsible for this amazing defiance of gravity.
The caprock of the hard Slick Rock Member of the Entrada Sandstone is perched upon a . . . — — Map (db m52002) HM
On The Windows Road, 2.3 miles east of Arches Scenic Drive.
The third largest arch in the park, Double Arch's larger span is 144 feet wide by 112 feet high (44 by 34 meters). The smaller opening is 67 feet wide by 86 feet high (20 by 26 meters).
For a closer look at Double Arch, walk this easy trail . . . — — Map (db m131861) HM
Height: flower stalk 1'-3'
Flower: greenish-yellow to cream
Bloom: spring
Each yucca species is pollinated only by one specific yucca moth; neither could survive without the other. A yucca blooms most years, with showy, bell-like . . . — — Map (db m159954) HM
In the Windows area, you can see many stages of arch formation. Look closely. Some arches are hard to see because of rock walls behind them.
Entrada Sandstone — the rocks in which arches are formed — was deposited here as sand more . . . — — Map (db m160003) HM
Height: 2'-7'
Flower: small, in showy yellow clusters
Bloom: late summer-autumn
This common shrub has green photosynthetic stems. In autumn, it is covered by gold blooms. The flowers provide a late-season source of nectar for . . . — — Map (db m159955) HM
John Wesley Wolfe settled here in the late 1800s with his oldest son Fred. A nagging leg injury from the Civil War prompted John to move west from Ohio, looking for a drier climate. He chose this tract of more than 100 acres along Salt Wash for . . . — — Map (db m132029) HM
The Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite preserves the peculiar tracks of a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur (sauropod), along with two different sizes of meat-eating dinosaur (theropod) tracks. This site stands out for being the first place in Utah . . . — — Map (db m134105) HM
Civilian Conservation Corps
Camp DG-32 (Co. 234)
1935-1942
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, CCC Camps were scattered all over the USA. They provided gainful employment to youth of the nation with work on public service . . . — — Map (db m131990) HM
Near North 200 East south of East 100 North, on the right when traveling south.
One room of this building, formerly the L.D.S. Church, was erected in 1888. Two years later a second room was added. The bishop was Randolph Stewart; building committee: O.W. Warner, who donated the land, Henry Holyoak, and O.D. Allen; supervisors . . . — — Map (db m95092) HM
On North 200 West south of East 100 North, on the right when traveling south.
In April 1855, forty one men under the leadership of Alfred N. Billings were called to establish a mission in the Elk Mountains. They left Salt Lake City May 7, 1855, arrived at Grand River June 11, and selected the site for a settlement. By July . . . — — Map (db m95090) HM
This property
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
By the United States
Department of the Interior
Plaque above: Built 1896 — — Map (db m95084) HM
Near Green River Overlook Road, 1.4 miles west of Upheaval Dome Road.
In May 1869, Major John Wesley Powell set out on a remarkable mission: to explore the uncharted canyons and waters of the Green and Colorado rivers. Powell, a geology professor and one-armed Civil War veteran, began the journey with nine novice . . . — — Map (db m156085) HM
On North 200 East south of East 100 North, on the right when traveling south.
Constructed of adobe in 1889, the Moab L.D.S. Church was built nine years after the establishment of Moab in 1880. Angus Stocks supervised the laying of the foundation and adobes. Within a few years of original construction an addition was made to . . . — — Map (db m95093) HM
On Utah Route 279, 0.2 miles west of U.S. 191, on the left when traveling west.
Moab Mill
The Moab mill was constructed in 1956 by Uranium Reduction Company, which operated the mill until 1962 when the assets were sold to the Atlas Minerals Corporation (Atlas). Uranium concentrate, the milling product, was sold to the . . . — — Map (db m95083) HM
From here, you have an excellent view of the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes to the northeast. These prominent land forms tower 600 feet above their Navajo sandstone base. They can be seen from many points as you travel along the highway.
The Monitor . . . — — Map (db m159799) HM
This view area is underlain by Navajo sandstone, which is found throughout the Colorado Plateau. Navajo sandstone creates some of the most dramatic scenery in the area, often forming cliffs and rounded domes. From here, you can see a large number . . . — — Map (db m160005) HM
Near Grand View Point Road, on the right when traveling south.
Wilderness is a word of many meanings. From a place to be feared to a place to be revered, wilderness evokes images of wild animals, jagged mountains, vast prairies or deserts. For some, wilderness offers physical challenges, solitude or a respite . . . — — Map (db m95082) HM
Near Kane Creek Boulevard, 0.6 miles west of South 500 West, on the right when traveling west.
(There are two markers mounted on the kiosk)
Dedication
In June 1991, the Nature Conservancy dedicated this preserve in honor of one of Utah's leading environmental advocates: Scott M. Matheson.
As Utah's governor, Matheson . . . — — Map (db m95089) HM
On East Center Street, on the right when traveling west.
Constructed from 1905 to 1906 by local craftsmen, Star Hall is architecturally significant as a fine local example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and is historically significant for the role it has played in the community over the years as . . . — — Map (db m95120) HM
On Center Street west of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west.
Star Hall is the oldest public building in Moab that is still in use. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was constructed in 1905-1906 by the local Mormon community to serve as a social and cultural center.
The exterior of the . . . — — Map (db m160044) HM
You are standing at “the neck,” about to cross out onto the high promontory called “Dead Horse Point.” Before you do though, take a few moments to ponder the horses. What happened here? How did such a beautiful place get such . . . — — Map (db m92541) HM
In front of you the park road crosses a strip of land only 40 feet wide called the Neck. Beyond this point lies an isolated, 43-square mile mesa known as the Island in the Sky. On all sides the Island is bounded by yawning canyons, and cliffs that . . . — — Map (db m92540) HM
On North 200 East south of East 100 North, on the right when traveling south.
Log cabins used to be common in Moab. I am the oldest one left. I was built, most likely, by the first bishop of Moab, Randolph Stewart, for his third plural wife, Marietta, about 1881. The Stanley's, a family of four lived here in 1908 after they . . . — — Map (db m95091) HM
On Dead Horse Point Mesa Scenic Byway (Utah Route 313) 0.4 miles north of Dead Horse Point, on the left when traveling north.
You are standing at the point where legends begin. This narrow neck of land is small in size but plays a giant role in the origins of the name Dead Horse Point. For decades, legends and myths about ghostly horses, cruel cowboys, and leaps of fate . . . — — Map (db m150038) HM
Near Grand View Point Road, on the left when traveling south.
Human activities have changed the face of Canyonlands. Livestock grazing in the late 19th century altered plant communities. The roads and seismic lines you see below were constructed in the 1950s in a search for uranium and oil. Mining and grazing . . . — — Map (db m95081) HM
