Rainbow Bridge Microbox

Rainbow Bridge

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 07/29/03
Nearest Town: Halls Crossing, UT
County: San Juan
Terrain Difficulty: Moderate (slight slope, 3 miles RT)
Status: alive (07/29/03)

THIS LETTERBOX IS NOT ON NATIONAL PARK LAND, SO PLEASE DON'T CONFISCATE IT.

Rainbow Bridge, located at the edge of Lake Powell, is the largest natural bridge in the world. It is 290 feet from its base to the top of the arch, and it spans 275 feet. Natural bridges are rare, and differ from arches in that they form when a watercourse breaks through rock. Initially, water flowing off nearby Navajo Mountain meandered across the sandstone, following a path of least resistance. A drainage known today as Bridge Canyon was carved deep into the rock and the stream flowed in a tight curve around a thin fin of soft sandstone that jutted into the canyon. Rainbow Bridge was created when the force of the stream eventually cut a hole through the fin and flowed directly through the opening, enlarging it over time. Rainbow Bridge is accessible only by boat or by a 13 mile hike (with permit from the Navajo Nation). Boat trips to the bridge may be made in private, rental, or tour boats. A courtesy dock is available for short-term docking while people make the 1.5 mile walk to the bridge. By boat, it is approximately 50 miles from Wahweap, Bullfrog, or Halls Crossing.

Directions:

From Page, Arizona drive on Lakeshore Drive to the Wahweap Marina. From Halls Crossing, Utah take the ferry to Bullfrog Marina. Either sign up for a full or half day tour to Rainbow Bridge or rent a boat and drive yourself.

Clues:

Hike to Rainbow Bridge and stand under it. Now continue 100 steps to a plaque on the left rock face dedicated to Jim Mike. Continue walking another 160 steps to a juniper tree on the right. From the tree, face left (north) and climb about 35 steps up to a path between the rocks. At the highest point on this path (before it heads downhill on the other side), look up and to the left for a 5" circular hole in the rock with a stone placed in the opening. The microbox is behind the stone. Please replace the stone to hide the box.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 09/12/2003

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