Harpers Corner Trail Stop 4

Harpers Corner sits high above land once settled by homesteaders.

NPS Photo/Conrad Provan

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Scenic View/Photo Spot

If you were going to homestead, would you settle here on this high ridge or down by the river? Near the rivers, or any place with a reliable water supply, would be a better choice. See if you can spot the buildings of the Chew Ranch far below on a small tributary of the Green River called Pool Creek. The Chew family settled this pioneer cattle and sheep ranch around 1900. Today, it is maintained as an historic site.

Before the Chew family came to the area, Pool Creek was the home of a colorful character named Pat Lynch. Pat wandered into the area in the early 1880s and for 30 years lived a hermit’s life in caves and cabins along the lower Yampa Canyon and Pool Creek. The latter area is often called Pat’s Hole after him.

The canyon walls have sheltered people since ancient times. Drawings pecked into Pool Creek’s cliffs show that the Fremont people, who were hunters and farmers, lived here nearly 1000 years ago. They were probably lured by the magic of water in a thirsty land, just as many people have been since then.