Macomb Arch in San Juan County.

Roy and I finally, not only found the road to Macomb Arch, but were able to hike and climb up to it.  Our dog, Jenna, was along with us; she has proven to be, not just a great companion, but excellent climber herself.  I first mentioned spotting the arch when I wrote about Steens Road, but didn't want to ride off into the back country alone. Good thing too, since the road to Macomb Arch does require a wee bit of rock crawling at the beginning; Roy is more adept at that than I am.

I was able to dig up a bit of history pertaining to the naming of Macomb Arch and it has nothing to do with a rancher.  This arch of Entrada sandstone was named after Captain John N. Macomb of the Corps of Topographical Engineers; sent to Utah in 1859 to create maps of San Juan County, determine the potential for mineral mining and survey the course of the San Juan River.



Now for a map, details on finding the arch and a lot more photos.

After turning onto East Canyon Road (CR 105), go 1.8 miles to Peters Wash Road (CR 108) and make a left turn onto it.  After one mile, you'll reach the old windmill and barbed wire/wooden post gate; open the gate, drive through and make sure to close the gate.








Drive one more mile and you'll see a dirt trail leading off to the east; follow it with your eye and you can see how it travels up a small hill and out to Deer Neck Mesa.  This dirt road quickly turns to rocky terrain as you go up and over that small hill.  Eventually it turns back into dirt; and here's a hint to help you find the road...look for the two rock formations that look like two petrified piles of dino poop (that's what they look they to me at least).


Looking back towards CR 108

This entire road to Macomb Arch is only 1.7 miles; at 1.6 miles you'll have to open and close another barbed wire/wooden post gate; park 1/10th of a mile after that to hike to the arch. The hike to the arch itself is about 1/4 of a mile; from the trail and as you walk to it, you'll get different viewpoints of the arch itself.  The climb up to the arch itself is about 200 feet; the sandstone fin is still a slippery walk even though it is dry.








The Views of Macomb Arch



Notice the miniature version of Mexican Hat at the top of the sandstone fin

Jenna and I made the climb up to the arch.  I was going to try and climb up into the arch itself, but even with good hiking boots on, I began to slide downwards.  I turned and plopped on my arse quickly to keep from sliding all the way down into the gully below.

Roy had the same difficulty as I; he managed to walk around to the edge of the fin to see if it was any easier climbing around the other side.  Nope, it was steep all the way around and that gully looked very far, far down.

But wait, there's more!  After leaving the arch, we drove the SUV further eastward on the dirt road and found caves within one of the fins.

Of course I can't forget the beautiful plant life growing within the desert sands.



Colorado Blue Columbine

Pale Evening Primrose

Watson's Slenderlobe (Phlox family)

Yellow Cryptanth (Borage family)



This was a most awesome adventure for us...Victory was ours!!!

Mary Cokenour

Moab's Uranium King in San Juan County, and Macomb Arch.

The former home of Moab's Uranium King, Charlie Steen, is now a restaurant called the Sunset Grill.  While he may have put Moab on the map, it's San Juan County he should have been thanking for his big score.  His mine, Mi Vida, is located in the Big Indian Wash - Lisbon Valley area, but like many uranium mines nowadays, is no longer in operation.  So, what does San Juan County have to show for all the money made on that mine?  A road named after Charlie...Steens (or Steen depending on the map) Road (CR 114/2447) which is also an OHV (off highway vehicle) road, staging area for Hook and Ladder, and location of two formations: Red Rock and Casa Colorado Rock.  I better post the map I fixed up, so you can follow along as I write up sites I've found.

Steens Road is 22.7 miles from the the intersection of Main and Center Streets in Monticello, heading north on Route 191; after you go down a small dip in the road and cross over an arroyo, you'll see a sign and the road to your right.  To the left though is another road which is Old Highway 191 and can also handle ATVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles; it takes you all the way up to Wilson Arch on Route 191.









The staging area for Hook and Ladder is 1.2 miles up Steens Road; at the informational board is a box which holds free maps.  Sometimes the box is empty and the local welcome center might not have any either; go to the SPEAR (San Juan Public Entry & Access Rights) site at: http://www.Spear4All.com , click on Maps (http://www.spear4all.com/maps.htm) , choose the route(s) you want and print it(them) out.

Dwarf Evening Primrose scattered throughout the staging area.

At 2.5 miles you reach Red Rock; this formation can be seen from Lisbon Valley Road and looks like a castle or gothic mansion.  From Steens Road, it looks like a sleeping stegosaurus from one angle or an elephant's head between its front feet from another angle.  Stop though and take in the scenery of the road you just traveled up; isn't that beautiful?

Casa Colorado Rock is at the 3.7 mile mark; a formation of pillars often sort out by climbers.  It is part of the formation, again seen from Lisbon Valley Road which was simply named "Cave Rocks" by William Henry Jackson.  There is a large amphitheatre upwards from Steens Road; Roy and I enjoy hiking up there, having our picnic lunch and just looking out at the scenery.

At mile mark 5.1, the road splits off; straight ahead CR 114 continues down into a canyon and beyond; it becomes very rough riding and is best for ATVs or specialized 4-wheel drive vehicles. There are several other trails that lead to closed off areas due to poisonous gas from the pipelines throughout.





Going right, the road now becomes CR 111/2447 aka Big Indian Spur which leads to the Lisbon Valley Gas Plant; a right onto Rankine Road will bring you to Lisbon Valley Road in 1.6 miles.  You then have to decide to either go left to explore L.V. Road or go right back to Route 191; but before you do that, stop on Rankine Road at 4/10ths of a mile from the plant and explore the riverbed.

Canaigre Dock (Buckwheat family) grows throughout the riverbed

So there's Steens Road for you; Hook and Ladder I hope to explore at another time, but wait, this adventure tale is not over yet.  Doing my research about Steens Road, I saw mention of "Macomb Arch" and two posted photos of it; only problem, no substantial information about it.  Online map sites listed it as "Name Unrecognized", or a little ballon vaguely positioned between East Canyon Road (CR 105) and Lisbon Valley Road.  I couldn't even find out why it was named as such online or in any of my San Juan County books; probably some rancher named Macomb who lived or still lives out there is my best guess.

Anyway, heading back south on Route 191, I made the turn onto East Canyon Road (CR 105) to see if I could find this arch; a photocopy along to help me recognize the landscape.  At mile mark 2.7, a shaft of sunlight going through the arch helped me find the location; unfortunately, a road at mile mark 4.7 ends at a closed gate, so that wasn't getting me out there.  These photos are the best I could do with my zoom lens, until I can finally find the correct road out to it.  It looks to be part of Deer Neck Mesa, so I've got a pretty good idea of two possible ways.

Macomb Arch

Deer Neck Mesa

 Just for a lark, I drove up Peters Wash Road (CR 108) from East Canyon Road (on mile mark 1.8) up and over to White Rock and down to Lisbon Valley Road.  At a post and wire fence that you can go through, just remember to close it again once you pass through, there is a corral and this old windmill. 

 

 

...and that's that for this write up.

 

 

Mary Cokenour