Giant Ladders Cling to Cliffs Along Colorado River in Utah

Remnants of a canceled dam project in the mid-1900s can still be seen near the former Dewey Suspension Bridge site.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:40pm

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Along the scenic drive from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, travelers can spot a curious sight - giant ladders bolted to the cliffs on the north side of the Colorado River. These ladders were used by surveyors in the mid-1900s when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was considering building a dam near the historic Dewey Suspension Bridge. Though the dam project was ultimately canceled, the ladders remain as an engineering relic from that era.

Why it matters

The presence of these large, homemade ladders along the Colorado River is a quirky reminder of the region's history of water management projects and the ingenuity required before modern surveying equipment was available. While the dam at Dewey was never built, the ladders provide a unique glimpse into the challenges faced by early 20th century engineers and surveyors working in the rugged canyons of the American West.

The details

The Dewey Suspension Bridge, built in 1916, once connected ranchers, miners, and travelers between Grand Junction and Moab. In the mid-1900s, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation studied the Dewey site as a potential location for a new dam and irrigation project. To survey the area, engineers constructed large wooden ladders bolted directly into the canyon walls, allowing them to quickly scale the steep terrain rather than hiking 2 miles from the river. Though the dam was ultimately canceled, the ladders remain as a testament to the resourcefulness of the surveyors.

  • The Dewey Suspension Bridge was built in 1916.
  • In the mid-1900s, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation studied the Dewey site as a potential dam location.
  • The Dewey dam project was canceled, though the exact year is unclear.

The players

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

A federal agency that oversees water resource management, including the study of potential dam sites along the Colorado River in the mid-1900s.

Dewey Suspension Bridge

A historic suspension bridge built in 1916 that connected Grand Junction and Moab, Utah, until it was destroyed by a brush fire in 2008.

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What’s next

The ladders along the Colorado River near the former Dewey Suspension Bridge site remain in place, though they are over 80 years old and extremely dangerous to climb. Visitors are advised to admire the ladders from a safe distance and not attempt to scale them.

The takeaway

The presence of these giant ladders bolted to the canyon walls serves as a unique historical relic, showcasing the ingenuity and challenges faced by early 20th century engineers and surveyors working to map and manage the Colorado River basin before modern equipment was available.