Powell of the Colorado

"Yeah, I'm not all that surprised the ranger knew nothing about "those big blue signs." Is it that difficult for government organizations to be so informed about things?? The ranger wasn't much older than I am, and I'll say this ... if I landed a job in the national park service, I would make every attempt to know such things. Hopefully in a few years time, he will have. Sometimes I feel I'm on expedition to inform. Perhaps that's really what I'm doing but I only wish after all is said and done I'll be somewhat rewarded for my efforts. Not monetarily. I would hope anybody out there sees all of this hardwork, time, and passion in this campaign and decides to use my information in the earnest, and honest of ways. I'd like to think it will happen one day. For now, I'll put that much thought into full throttle, blowing full steam ahead and kick back beneath this shade tree for a few hours as #37 sits bagged and accounted for in that lovely southern Nevada sun." -- March 2009

   Marker Superlative

- 37 - is the only Nevada SHPO historical marker located within a National Park!

[37]       

At the Echo Bay Boat Launch - Echo Bay

Las Vegas & Clark County
  36.307170, -114.420060

Original Date Visited: 3/15/09
Last Confirmed: 11/16/22
Signed: No

Notes: Upon my conquering in 2009, one of the rangers noticed me recording the marker and instantly grew curious as to what it was. I guess Federal Park Rangers aren't aware of states' efforts? Anyway, the end of our brief conversation ended with him wanting me to emphasize the entrance fee on the website since many visitors aren't familiar with the pay fee honor system on this end of Mead. So, here it is.

This is one of the few markers in the system requiring a fee to access. Yes, friends. Marker 37 is fully within Lake Mead Nat'l Rec. Area, a United States National Park. All entry into the N.R.A, even passing through or otherwise, will require a $20 per vehicle fee with extra fees required for any boating and overnight use. Although entrance fees on Northshore Drive are collected at the kiosk from Lake Mead Blvd (near Henderson) and the visitor center at Echo Bay. There is no entrance gate headed southbound along Northshore Drive from Valley of Fire! Since most of you will be coming from this direction, it's easy to forget about the fee in this quiet section of the park. So, consider this a friendly reminder.

As a bonus, the National Park entrance fee pays for a seven-day entrance to any National Park in the system! This is especially awesome if you're planning to bag any of the other parks in the area in the immediate area. Why pay the eye-gouging fee of 35 bucks for Grand Canyon and Zion when you can get it here for half the price?

Here's what you'll see!

A Quick Dip into Lake Mead NRA!


Welcome to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of the largest national parks in America! Take the lonely "Northshore Drive" to get to Marker 37. Northshore hugs the western shoreline of Lake Mead's far northern arm all the way to the eastern limits of Henderson, a total of 35 miles. Northshore has become a much quieter alternative to the boring 15, and even if you don't stop within the park, the 40mph offers a comfortable drive into the desert backcountry. Lake Mead NRA isn't just the lake. This giant park encompasses 1.5 million acres of pristine slot canyons, wilderness overlooks, arches, hot springs, river canyons, wilderness areas, and approximately 53 miles of the Colorado River. If you have access to watercraft, you can even explore the far western limits of the Grand Canyon technically within the far eastern reaches of the park.

This area demands tons of exploration and once again, I've covered this park in full detailoroughly in my US 93 Marker Roadtrip. This includes hot fishing spots, seasonal access, hot springs, hiking trails, and much more. Check it out below!

Although the SHPO was unable to place a sign for Marker 37 we did get some form of signage to the marker thanks to the NPS. Follow Northshore Drive to this turnoff, 12 miles south of Overton, or 9 miles south of the Valley of Fire junction.

Welcome to Echo Bay.
Time to play, "Can you spot the marker?"

US 93 Roadtrip & Lake Mead NRA

  • Marker 37 and its view of the Muddy River Arm of Lake Mead
  • Marker 37 plaque
  • The National Park Service made their own sign for the Powell Expedition. Find this one next to the restrooms.
  • Marker 37 represents a long-forgotten, but important piece of American history.
  • John Wesley Powell Expedition, circa 1897
  • The first man to navigate the mighty Colorado River
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Exact Description:
On August 30, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell landed at the mouth of the Virgin River, about 12 miles south of here, thus ending the first boat expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

The expedition left Green River City, Wyoming Territory, on May 24, 1869. For three months Powell and his men endured danger and hunger to explore, survey and study the geology of the canyons along the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Exhausted and near starvation, the Powell party was warmly greeted and fed by the hardy Mormon pioneers of St. Thomas, a small farm settlement about 11 miles north of here.

The original sites of St. Thomas and the junction of the Virgin and Colorado Rivers are now beneath the waters of Lake Mead.

This, and later Powell surveys, stimulated great interest in the water conservation problems of the Southwest.

Next:


Pahranagat Valley

"The Crystal Springs area, used as a watering spot and campsite, was a principal stopover on the Mormon Trail alternated route."


Related

 El Dorado Canyon (Head of Steamboat Navigation)  Marker Superlatives St. Thomas & Lake Mead Nat'l Rec. Area (NPS)    The Powell Expedition: Grand Canyon Explorer)    Powell's Grand Canyon expedition: History Channel  

 
Featured in US 93 Roadtrip!