Labyrinth Canyon
Facts:
- River: The Green River
- Rapid Rating: No Rapids
- Put in:Green River State Park, Utah. (5 minutes off Main
Street in Green River, Utah.)
- Take-out location: Mineral Bottom, Utah. (1 ½-2 hours
from Moab and, just north of the border of Canyon Lands National Park.)
- River Miles: 68 miles
- Number of rapids: No Rapids on this strecth
- First to run Westwater Canyon: The trappers and prospectors in
the late 1700's and early 1800's, followed by John Wesley Powell in 1869.
Introduction
On July 15, 1869, while near Bow Knot Bend, John Wesley Powell named
Labyrinth Canyon. Located just south of Green River, Utah and bordering
Canyonlands National Park this "tortuous" canyon is famous for its inspiring
walls and dramatic bends of the river. The colorful history of Labyrinth Canyon
includes Native Americans, trappers, miners, river runners, steam boaters,
ranchers and moonshiners.
Geology
The first unique geologic feature is the Crystal Geyser. This cold water
geyser and its distinctive yellow/orange sheen was caused in the 1930's when
Geologist Glen M. Ruby was drilling for oil. After passing the Crystal Geyser
you will pass through the Mancos Shale, the Morrison Formation (Jurassic time
period), and the Sommerville Formation. The Sommerville Formation forms
Dellenbaugh Butte (or the Inkwell or Anvil) named for the youngest member of
Powell's second expedition in 1871. As you wind deeper into Labyrinth the 1,000
foot walls are made up of Entrada, Navaho, Kayenta, and Wingate Sandstones. The
Chinle formation just under the Wingate sandstone is where Uranium is
found.
Human History
Prior to the Fremont Indians, the Native American history dates back to
the pre-Columbian time period. Evidence from this era can be viewed many miles
up Horseshoe Canyon. The Fremont Indians, who at one time occupied a large
portion of Utah, spent time in the Canyons of Labyrinth. Because of their
sudden disappearance 750-800 years ago, and with no written history, very
little is known about these people. A part of their story is carved into the
canyon walls of Labyrinth for us to admire and to speculate.
Before this territory was acquired by the United States, the Spanish
fathers came through in the 1770's to explore and set up missions. Trappers
such as Dennis Julien followed in the early 1800's. Dennis Julien left two
inscriptions in this canyon that imply he was moving upstream. John Wesley
Powell's expeditions in 1869 and 1871 enjoyed the calm pace of the river
through Labyrinth Canyon before traveling through Stillwater Canyon and into
the rapids of Cataract Canyon.
In the early 1900's, ranchers began moving in along the river, trying to
make themselves a life. One ranch called "Peacharosa" had about 40,000 peach
trees in 1910. The Ruby Ranch went through eight different owners, each trying
to make a living in harsh conditions. These and other ranches were typical of
the Wild West with gunfights, moon shining and tales of outlaws. Outlaws
frequented the rough canyon trails on their way to their hideout at Robbers
Roost. Steamboaters also left their marks all along the canyon walls. In 1891
the Major Powell steamboat made it all the way to the Confluence to potentially
set up a "hotel". Steamboats such as the Marguerite, the City of Moab, the
Undine and the Utah were just a few who also ran this canyon. In the 1950's the
Uranium boom hit Moab and Labyrinth Canyon. Throughout Labyrinth Canyon old
equipment and mines can still be seen. The road into Mineral Bottom (part of
the old Horse Thief trail) was built to access some of the mines. River runners
such as the Kolb's, Holmstrom & Burg, White & Aleson, and Norm Nevills
frequented the canyon adding to its history. Today, Labyrinth Canyon is not
nearly as busy giving the current river runners a sense of solitude and time to
enjoy the history of Labyrinth.
