Rainbow Bridge National Monument
| Rainbow Bridge National Monument | |||
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| Location: | Utah , United States | ||
| Next city: | Page , Arizona | ||
| Surface: | 0.6 km² | ||
| Founding: | May 30, 1910 | ||
| Visitors: | 75,286 (2004) | ||
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The Rainbow Bridge [ reɪnbəʊ brɪdʒ ] (German Rainbow Bridge ) is located in a side canyon of Lake Powell in Utah , about 13 km north of the border with Arizona . It is the largest natural stone bridge in the world with a span of 82 m and a height of 88 m. Its arch is 10 m wide and 12 m thick at its highest point. The Rainbow Bridge was declared a National Monument in May 1910 by President William Taft with a Presidential Proclamation . It is maintained by the National Park Service (NPS). It is close to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell.
The upper part of the bridge arch is made of Navajo sandstone and the base of Kayenta sandstone . It was created when the water of a river broke through the thin wall on the other side of a meander and over time formed the huge opening.
The Rainbow Bridge is a sanctuary of the Navajo Indians , whom they call Nonnezoshi ( Navajo : "petrified rainbow"). Legend has it that some Navajo people saved themselves from a flood through the bridge, which is the only opening between the ancient world and the world of today. This is why the NPS has asked since 1995 to stay on the path and only view the bridge from a viewing area instead of approaching or walking through the Rainbow Bridge.
The Rainbow Bridge is not accessible by roads. Visitors usually come to a landing stage by water and continue on foot (approx. 2 km depending on the water level). Full-day excursions by tour boats (approx. 80 river kilometers) are offered from ports near Page , Arizona. With the approval of the Navajo Nation , the bridge can also be reached on two different hiking trails, each lasting several days, through strenuous terrain in the desert climate.
Web links
- National Park Service: Rainbow Bridge National Monument (official site; English)