Archeological evidence indicates that humans have inhabited or used this area for more than 11,000 years. Because of the remoteness, many sites have experienced little vandalism and provide valuable clues about the earliest human activity of the hunter-gathers and ancestral puebloans. The Southern Paiute who lived in the area at the time of EuroAmerican contact continue to maintain their ties to this land.
Explorations by John Wesley Powell and Clarence Dutton in the 1870's provided stirring written descriptions of the geology, flora and fauna of the area.
This rugged land was settled by people who cherished it and fought to save the remoteness that drew them here. Ranch structures, corrals, fences, water tanks and ruins of sawmills are scattered across the monument and tell the stories of the remote family ranches and lifestyles of a people that value freedom and individuality. Today, descendants of those early settlers continue to ranch in this area.
The remoteness and limited travel corridors preserve outstanding biological resources. The Monument ranges from arid creosote flats of the lower Mojave Desert along Lake Mead to pinyon- juniper woodlands of the Colorado Plateau. In higher elevations, stands of ponderosa pine contrast with expanses of sagebrush. The monument is home to diverse wildlife species including mule deer, Kaibab squirrel, wild turkey and desert tortoise.
Modern day visitors enjoy the solitude and quiet that this remote Monument offers. Breath-taking views can be seen.
M O N U M E N T
