Temple Bar and Beyond

Illustration: Anthony Ross

 

Temple Bar

Temple Bar Marina is located in the Temple Basin on the Arizona side of eastern Lake Mead. The area around Temple Bar Marina is especially well known for two things: the massive rock formation that gave the area its name and its 20 mile-long unobstructed water ski runs that have every water sports enthusiast rushing to grab a lifejacket and a rope! Temple Bar Marina has all the fun and amenities that you'd expect from Lake Mead.

The Temple Bar Mining Company produced placer gold from 1894 to 1898. After having problems securing driftwood from the river, they shipped the needed timbers from Kingman.

 

Gregg's Hideout

In 1881 it started as Mike Scanlon's Ferry and was later bought by Tom Gregg and then became known as Gregg's Hideout.

 

Joshua Tree Forest

Joshua trees are found in the areas of the desert southwest. The name Joshua Tree comes from Mormon settlers who settled the region in the mid-19th century. The tree's unique look, the branches extending to the sky, reminded them of the Biblical story of Joshua raising his hands to the sky.

The tree thrives at an elevation between 1,300 and 5,900 feet. They are fast growers at an average rate of 3 inches per year for the first ten years. Growth slows after ten years. The deep root system allows the tree to reach up to 36 feet away. From February to late April the tree produces flowers which are then pollinated by the yucca moth.

Native peoples in the area used the tree to weave sandals and baskets and seeds and flowers harvested for meals.

At Lake Mead NRA, the Joshua Tree Forest is located near Meadview, at the intersection of Pierce Ferry Road and Diamond Bar Road. It is the largest and densest forest of its kind in the world.

 

Pearce Ferry

Pearce Ferry was started in 1863 by Jacob Hamblin, bought by Pearce in 1876, and operated until 1891. This area became popular again during the Grand Canyon-Boulder Dam tours in the 1940's. A concession maintained a floating dock, supply depot, dining room, and had elaborated plans for improvement. The tour boats left Hemenway, stopped at Pearce Ferry, continued to Rampart Cave (discovered in 1936 by Willis Evans) and then on 12 miles into the Grand Canyon. The tour cost $101.

With the filling of Lake Mead, a delta formed at Pearce Ferry. This silting in, followed by the lowering of the lake level after 1941, forced the concession to be abandoned. Scenic flights were also part of the tourist trade in the 1930's and 1940's with airplanes landing on the strip at Pearce Ferry. Pearce Ferry is about 17 miles upstream from South Cove and serves as one of the terminus for river runners floating through the Grand Canyon. Primitive camping is allowed in the area.

 

Iceberg Canyon

 

South Cove

South Cove does not have a history pre-dating the establishment of the recreation area. After the recreation area was established, a new paved road was constructed as a spur road off the Pearce Ferry road, extending down to the lake where a paved launch ramp was constructed.