Outdoors

Maggie Johnson, a 13-year-old girl from Blanding, during her epic journey to Rainbow Bridge in 1924. Johnson is the first woman to see the massive bridge and sign the visitors register. Courtesy photo

First woman to visit Rainbow Bridge

by Sally Jack Contributing writer One hundred years ago, on July 13, 1924, a 13-year-old girl named Maggie Johnson, of Blanding, became the first Utah woman known to visit Rainbow Bridge and sign the register at Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Maggie traveled to the bridge as part of a pack trip...

An oar-shaped digging stick, about 800 years old and probably made of oak. Photo courtesy Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum

Ancestral Farmer’s Digging Stick

The Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum’s “New to the Edge” exhibit features an Ancestral digging stick. The hardwood stick (which is about three feet in length) includes a blade, handle, and knob. They have all been polished through repeated handling and use. The shape of the blade and length of...

The 2024 deer and elk hunts are fast approaching in Utah. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has a large variety of information and tips to help you get into the great outdoors this fall to make some memories and begin a family tradition. For further info, visit wildlife.utah.gov. Dan Davidson photo

What hunters should know to prepare for the upcoming 2024 Utah deer and elk hunts

If you’re planning to hunt deer or elk in Utah this fall, here is some important information and tips that will be helpful when planning and preparing for your hunt. Hunt Dates The general-season buck deer archery hunt and the general spike and any-bull elk archery hunts are the first big game...

Fatalities at Canyonlands National Park

A father and daughter died while hiking in Canyonlands National Park on July 12. They are identified as Albino Herrera Espinoza, age 52, and Beatriz Herrera, age 23, both from Green Bay, WI. The pair had called 911 to report that they were lost and out of water on the Syncline Loop Trail with...

Eihaazbah Dejolie (center) is a 13-year-old from Bluff and is also the current Miss Western Junior Rodeo Association Queen. She will be hosting a rodeo in Monticello on August 3. Courtesy photo

Bluff resident is Miss WJRA Queen

Eihaazbah Dejolie is 13 years old from Bluff, Utah. A member of the "Western Junior Rodeo Association". She does barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and recently started breakaway. She was crowned Miss WJRA Queen in September 2023. As a part of her reign she has to sponsor a junior rodeo for...

Fire Suppression Efforts Begin on Babylon Wildfire within Manti-La Sal National Forest

Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials are currently engaged in wildfire activity near Steamboat Point on the Monticello Ranger District, located west of Blanding, UT in San Juan County. The Babylon Fire, reported Friday, July 5, 2024, is approximately 50 acres, as of July 9, 2024. Due to...

The Charles Hall Ferry returned to service between Halls Crossing and Bullfrog Marina on July 4 after a three year absense. The service operates several times a day. Courtesy photo

Halls Crossing to Bullfrog Ferry resumes operations

The Charles Hall Ferry returned to service on July 4th after a three-year pause, providing passage over Lake Powell between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. The ferry is scheduled to make four round-trips daily during the summer, departing Halls Crossing every two hours beginning at 10 a.m. Initially...

Flash flooding in Lime Canyon washed out fence lines, flooded Highway 163 for several hours, and contributed to significant damage in recent days. David Kartchner photo

Storms drench San Juan, cause damage

Several days of storms, driven in part by moisture from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, brought a deluge of rain to San Juan County, resulting in floods, disruptions and damage during a normally dry June. The storms were widespread, but had particular impact on several key areas. Highways were...

NPS Photo Comparison: View from Wahweap Overlook towards Castle Rock and Wahweap Marina. First photo was taken May 15, 2023, when Lake Powell elevation was at 3539.15 feet Above Sea Level (ASL). Second photo was taken May 30, 2023 at 3560.22 feet ASL.

Safety Guidelines During Lake Powell’s Spring Runoff

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is pleased to announce that snowpack in the headwaters of the Colorado River and its tributaries is resulting in a spring runoff that is positively affecting Lake Powell water levels for the 2024 summer boating season. Rapidly rising water levels in Lake Powell...

Utah Free Fishing Day is June 8

Utah Free Fishing Day is this Saturday, June 8. It allows anyone to fish at any public waterbody in Utah without a license. Though you don’t need a license to fish on Utah Free Fishing Day, all other fishing rules are still in effect. Every other day of the year you’ll need a license to fish...