Rainbow Bridge National Monument is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and is often described as the world’s highest natural bridge (a natural rock formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath) . Located in southern Utah in the isolated canyons at the feet of Navajo Mountain, access to Rainbow Bridge is only possible via a several day hike, or by boat. While in Page, Dan and I took the guided tour from Wahweap Marina to Rainbow Bridge, a 100-mile round trip boat ride that took us to a dock where we walked about a mile to visit the monument. Rainbow Bridge was known for centuries by the Native Americans who have long held the bridge sacred, and who call it Nonnezoshe or “rainbow turned to stone”.
Because Nonnezoshe is sacred to Native Americans, the National Park Service
worked with five Native American nations affiliated with Rainbow Bridge to
ensure that this place considered to be religious and sacred to the Navajo,
Hopi, Paiute, and Ute be protected and visited in a respectful manner. These
tribes expressed concerns about visitors approaching or walking under the
bridge, and all are asked to be respectful of its significance to the peoples
who have long held Rainbow Bridge sacred.
I had mixed feelings during
our visit to the monument. I almost felt like I was trespassing, encroaching on
ancient and holy land that should be reserved for religious and ceremonial occasions.
With the constant flow of people streaming in and out, with not everyone as
respectful as they should be, it seems all but impossible to preserve this
hallowed ground, to protect it from exploitation and ruination. Yet, there we
were, amongst the revelers, no different than the multitudes of others,
outsiders at best, and trying our best to show this place the reverence it
deserved. I’m still struggling to reconcile my mixed feelings on how we can
best blend and mingle this country’s ancient and modern roots.
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