Comb Ridge

William H. Jackson of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey conducted the first formal archeological exploration of the Comb Ridge area after reaching it from Colorado Territory by following ancient trails along the banks of the San Juan River. After exploring Chinle Creek south of the San Juan River, Jackson and his team explored Comb Wash and its tributaries as they traveled north to the Abajo Mountains. In 1880, Comb Ridge became a major obstacle for Mormon pioneers blazing a wagon road through the rugged terrain between Escalante, Utah, and the Four Corners area. The 250 men, women, and children of the expedition were answering a call from their church to establish a settlement along the banks of the San Juan River. Reaching the base of Comb Ridge, they traveled south down Comb Wash to the San Juan River, then labored on a road over the southern slope of Comb Ridge, which they named San Juan Hill. Weakened by earlier barriers and nearly six months under trying circumstances, they found Comb Ridge almost too much for their worn-out wagons and teams. Charles Redd recalled that by the time most of the outfits were across, the worst stretches could be identified by the dried blood and matted hair from the forelegs of the struggling teams. Within days of crossing Comb Ridge, the pioneers began establishing their settlement, Bluff City.

Bluff, Utah · United States