Have You Seen Utah’s Weird Colorado River Ladders Near Moab?

One of my favorite parts of driving Western Colorado’s scenic and historic byways is that you almost always seem to see something new each time you drive down the route. We recently shared some photos of the Upper Colorado River Byway between Grand Junction and Moab. It got us talking about one of the mysteries still visible along the river.

Keep a careful eye out as you drive along Utah 128 toward Moab to spot the old Dewey Suspension Bridge Site. Across the river to the north, is that a giant ladder bolted to the cliff walls? Yes, it is.

Get our free mobile app

Dewey Bridge: The Colorado River Crossing That Connected Communities

Read More: Awesome Museum Showcases Films Shot Around Moab, Utah

The suspension bridge over the Colorado River at Dewey, Utah, was built in 1916. It connected ranchers, miners, and travelers between Grand Junction and Moab. At one time, the Dewey Bridge was one of the longest suspension bridges located West of the Mississippi.

In 2008, a brush fire destroyed the wooden deck, leaving just the cables and towers as a reminder of what used to be. For a short time, engineers considered building a dam near the Dewey Bridge along the river. To survey the area properly, they could hike 2 miles from the river to the top of the canyon walls, or they could climb a homegrown ladder.

The Ladders Today: Engineering Relics You Can Still See

By the mid-1900s, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation studied Dewey as a site for irrigation and water storage. After spending years analyzing the site, shifting water priorities, and competing projects, the dam at Dewey was canceled, according to the Moab Times, and larger Colorado River projects moved forward elsewhere. Today, the ladders used by surveyors can still be seen along the river. Can you imagine climbing up and down these ladders on a windy day?

The Ladders Today: Engineering Relics You Can Still See

Read More: Ancient Ruins or Castles on the Border of Colorado and Utah?

The wooden ladders were practical tools that allowed surveyors to scale the canyons quickly, before the arrival of modern equipment. Once you pass the site of the Dewey Suspension Bridge, keep an eye on the north side of the river, opposite Highway 128. A mile west of the suspension bridge, the ladders will come into view.

The video above from SUV RVing YouTube shows you which roads to take to a parking area, and how to hike to the ladders. Do NOT attempt to use them or climb on them. They are more than 80 years old, and you could risk serious injury.