Major John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell ran the unmapped Colorado in 1869, one arm lost in the Civil War, keeping a journal as the canyons closed over his boats. On August 3 of that year he wrote of a curious ensemble of carved walls, royal arches, and glens, and decided to call the place Glen Canyon. The name held. Powell went on to lead the U.S. Geological Survey; the reservoir that later drowned his Glen Canyon bears his name, an irony the marker leaves unspoken.

What the plaque says

Major John Wesley Powell 1834-1902, Explorer of the Colorado River 1869 and 1871-72, On August 3, 1869, Powell wrote in his journal: "...we have a curious ensemble of wonderful features, carved walls, royal arches, glens, alcove gulches, mounds and monuments. We decide to call it Glen Canyon.".

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Antelope Canyon — 7.9 mi
  Tsé bighánílíní — where the water runs through the rock

More markers nearby

• Glen Canyon Dam — steps away
• Glen Canyon Bridge — steps away
• Hydroelectric Power — steps away
• Dinosaur Tracks — steps away