Grand Staircase

The Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument was established by President Bill Clinton in 1996 under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906.   Its 1.8 million acres encompasses three distinct areas:   The Escalante drainage, the Kaiparowits Plateau and the “Staircase” itself, which is located in the western portion of the Monument.   Escalante and Boulder are found in the eastern “Escalante” portion of the Monument, which is roughly 600,000 acres.   This is where the colorful sandstone canyons, arches and mesas are found in abundance.

The diverse and relatively intact ecosystems of the Monument offer unsurpassed research opportunities for paleontologist, archaeologist, botanist, etc.   It has been described as a true scientific “jackpot”.    Now that initial surveys in the basic the earth sciences have been completed, the researchers have begun they’re work in earnest.   There truly are few places on the Earth that such in depth research can be done and we are pleased to be home to one of them.

Setting this much land aside for future generations was not without controversy.   Particularly when generations of local people have worked so hard in establishing almost everything used here.    It’s just not easy to hand over something you love, particularly when there is no warning, and this is understandable.   However, with the passing of time, great resilience and flexibility, on both sides, the best interest of the towns and America is being served.    This stunningly beautiful and pristine region is loaded with the history of Life’s impressions on the planet and will now be saved for the future generations to come.

*Suggested reading
-Heart of the Desert Wild.  Greer K Chesher
-“Advised them to call the place Escalante”.  Jerry Roundy