Controversy over Rainbow Bridge

By LeeAnn Lovell

   Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural bridge.  It stands 290 feet, and it is 275 feet wide.  It is high enough to straddle the nation's capital.  (Roylance)  It spans a canyon in eroded rugged red rock country between Navajo Mountain and Glen Canyon. Originally, the only way to get down to the bridge was to hike down on a trail.  The trail was about fourteen miles long, and it came from Navajo Mountain Trading Post.  (Roylance 192)  The Trading Post was built in 1924.  Along with the Trading Post, a Rainbow Lodge was built.  ( Shepardson and Hammond 35)  After Glen Canyon Dam was built and Lake Powell started backing up, it was possible to reach the monument by boat.  It is mainly a boat trip with a little walking.

Rainbow Bridge is in San Juan County, located just north of Navajo Mountain.  Jim Mike discovered Rainbow Bridge in 1909, but Nasja Begay was given credit for the find.  It wasn't until 1982 that Jim Mike received credit for the discovery. 
   In 1910 the United States Government established the Navajo Mountain Monument, including Rainbow Bridge, Betatakin and Inscription House.  (Shepardson & Hammond)  Under the bridge, in a metal case, is a book in which those who look upon Nonne-Zoche, otherwise known as Rainbow Bridge, sign their names.  (Kluckhohn 236.) 

The Navajos have many superstitions, or beliefs about this natural wonder.  They don't like to visit the region of the bridge.  They believe that it is the abode of the great spirits.  If a traditional Navajo does go to the bridge, he will not pass under the it without repeating a certain prayer.  If he does not know this prayer, he must climb over the arch.  (Kluckhohn 202-203.)

   There are also many stories about the discovery of the bridge.  The most authentic one, though least publicized until recently is the Jim Mike discovery, as researched and told by Clarence Rogers of Blanding, Utah.  Rogers was acquainted with Jim Mike for approximately forty-four years.  Clarence Rogers is a life-long resident of San Juan County and had it not been for his tenacity, the recognition would have continued to be given to Nasja Begay.  By piecing pieces together bit by bit, Rogers proved that it was Jim Mike who first discovered the Rainbow Bridge.
 

Excerpt from paper written by LeeAnn Lovell  her junior year at San Juan High School in 1987.

Works Cited:

Kluckhohn, Clyde M. To the Foot of the Rainbow, Rio Grande Press, 1967, p. 236.

"New Data 'Shrink' Rainbow Bridge," Salt Lake Tribune, February 24, 1979

Roylance, Ward J.   Utah, the Incredible Land, Salt Lake City, Utah, Wheelwright Lithographing Co., 1965

Shepardson, Mary  and Blodwen Hammond. The Navajo Mountain Community, University of California Press, 1970, p. 35.

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