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Issue 59

April 2014

Getting to Page on US 89T

by James Cowlin

Since the Big Slump closed US 89 in northern Arizona in February 2013, I have received numerous requests for information about alternative roads. At first, a detour route was established between Flagstaff and Page that took travelers 50 miles out of their way adding at least an hour to the trip.

Route signs for US 89A, US 89T & Navajo 20

Route signs for US 89A, US 89T & Navajo 20

A much shorter alternative existed in Navajo Route 20 which parallels US 89 for 44 miles from The Gap to Page. The problem was that 27 miles of the road was unpaved and slow going at best. So the three government entities involved-Arizona Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Navajo Nation-worked out an agreement to pave Navajo 20 and designate it as Temporary US Route 89.

Ever since the paving was completed in late August last year, I have been anxious to drive the new road. A couple of weeks ago, Barbara and I made the drive and I can report that 89T is more than adequate as a bypass to the damaged section of US 89.

The new road begins at The Gap, so called because of a break in the Echo Cliffs that allows for a quick ascent onto the Kaibito Plateau. It is actually a shorter climb than the ascent up the Echo Cliffs where the landslide occurred. Once on the plateau, 89T runs straight and true to Page. The driving time and distance are nearly the same if not a little shorter.

Break in the Echo Cliffs where US 89T begins at The Gap

Break in the Echo Cliffs at the southern end of US 89T

Newly paved section of US 89T/Navajo 20

Navajo Sandstone outcrop along US 89T near Page

Navajo Mountain in the distance seen from US 89T approaching Page

The northern end of US 89T where it intersects with AZ 98 in Page

Perhaps the only downside is that I miss the view of Marble Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs from the pull-out on the Echo Cliffs. I also miss stopping there to shop for Indian arts and crafts and talking with the Navajo ladies selling them.

ADOT is ahead of schedule on reconstructing the damaged section of US 89. A plan has been completed along with required environmental studies. A new easement from the Navajo Nation is being negotiated and construction will begin shortly.

The newly paved US 89T/Navajo 20 may prove to be a better route for some travelers. It is an easier road to navigate for large trucks, RV's and for people towing their boats to Lake Powell. I expect both roads will continue to be used once the repairs to US 89 are completed.

If you are planning a trip to Page you can rest assured that there is a good road to get you there. Be sure to check out the Page-Lake Powell Tourism website for a run down on all there is to do there.

Oracle Artist Studio Tour-April 12 &13

Once again this year Barbara and I will be participating in the studio tour held in our home town of Oracle, Arizona. If you have never been to Oracle, this is a great opportunity to see the work of 47 artists in 20 studio and gallery locations. Barbara will have new paintings in the Water Reflections series for sale along with her unique collage cards. I will have some US 89 photos for sale along with note cards and Road Trip Map Books. I will also be showing photos from the new Moments and Cloudscape series which were featured in the last newsletter.

You'll find Oracle on the map in the Tucson to Apache Junction Road Trip Guide. Look for the Welcome Center as you enter town where you can view work by all the artists on the tour and pick up a map guide. The Oracle Artist Studio Tour website has information and pictures from all of the participants as well as a downloadable map guide.

We'd love to see you and show you our art so be sure to stop in to Barbara's studio, location #12. And when you do, let us know that heard about the tour from this newsletter. Barbara will have some of her world famous chocolate chip cookies waiting for you.

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