Hike the Spanish Trail with America 250

by Sally Jack
Staff writer
What was happening in San Juan County in the year 1776 while the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington crossed the Delaware with his troops during the Revolutionary War?
Dominguez and Escalante, the first known European explorers to step foot in Utah, were making their way into San Juan County!
Going back 250 years ago, Franciscan priests Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante were looking for an overland route from Santa Fe, NM to the Californias.
The exploration brought Dominguez and Escalante, along with eight other men, into San Juan County. Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco served as the expedition’s cartographer, and three Ute men accompanied the group on part of their exploration to serve as guides and translators.
Their trail took them through the Mesa Verde – Mancos, CO area, and past Dolores and Dove Creek before briefly entering modern Utah near Ucolo.
The explorers didn’t stay for long before they turned back and headed in another direction through Disappointment Valley.
The change in course may have been due to the unknown trail, concerns about the native residents of the area, or other matters.
The expedition went into Colorado and then entered Utah once again, this time near Jensen, UT in the Uintah Basin. The visited Utah Valley and traveled in a southwesterly direction, arriving near Cedar City in October of 1776.
Due to severe weather, the rough and rugged Utah terrain, low provisions, and the approach of winter, the group decided to return to Santa Fe before reaching California.
About 50 years later, the Dominguez-Escalante route became a template for the Old Spanish Trail, a trade route from Santa Fe to Pacific Coast settlements. The trail was in use from the 1820’s through 1848.
This time, instead of turning back near Ucolo, the Spanish Trail travels through San Juan County. It drops into Dry Valley through East Canyon, and passes Casa de Colorado, Looking Glass Rock, Muleshoe Canyon, Kane Springs, and into Spanish Valley. The Spanish Trail crossed the Colorado River near Moab.
Today the Old Spanish Trail is designated as a National Historic Trail.
In honor of this interesting but lesser-known part of American history, the Monticello America 250 committee is sponsoring an opportunity to hike a portion of the Spanish Trail, including the Dominguez-Escalante route which briefly dipped into San Juan County in 1776.
If you are up for a new adventure, plan to join the crew as Rob Adams and Bill Boyle lead the way on this everyone-is-invited family-friendly hike later this spring.
The hike is approximately 3 or 4 miles, and mostly downhill, but it is definitely a hike, as there may be a bit of climbing and there are no roads or marked trails. Wear good hiking shoes and bring a water bottle.
Plans are also being made for a possible road tour on portions of the trail for those who may need or want to explore the route by car.
The BLM has developed a number of interesting interpretive sites along the way.
Other upcoming events hosted by the Monticello America 250 Committee include “Voices of Freedom” a musical variety show to be held on July 2 and 3 at the Monticello High School auditorium.
On July 5, Monticello will participate in the Nationwide Neighborhood Potluck, where everyone can gather as neighbors and friends to relax and enjoy good food and good company.
“The Pen is Mightier,” an America 250 traveling exhibit, will be at the Monticello Library from August to October.
America 250 activities will also take place in Blanding leading up to, and in connection with, the Independence Day celebration hosted annually by Blanding City.
Event chair Ben Muhlestein notes that some of the Blanding activities include putting together a time capsule to be opened when the United States of America is 300 years old, a walk/fun run as part of the Walk 250 Challenge with pins as a prize for a certain number of miles, a patriotic scavenger hunt, participation in the Nationwide Neighborhood Potluck dinner in Blanding, and a Day of Service.
Some activities may be subject to change, so watch for further details of each America 250 activity as it gets closer to the scheduled dates.