The Kaibab

This vast forest region in northern Arizona is full of deer, primeval beauty, and squirrel unlike any others on earth. This great area discloses untold wonders to the traveler along U. S. Highway 89.

In 1540 when Don Lopez de Cardenas first viewed Arizona's South Rim of the Grand Canyon, undoubtedly some of his Indian guides pointed out the North Rim to the Don and explained to him that it was not only the other side of the great canyon but also the face of the great mountain known as Kaibabits, meaning Mountain Lying Down. No doubt Don Lopez was informed by his dusky guides that their tribes visited the Kaibabitsor Kaibab as we know it to war with their enemies and neighbors, the Piutes, who dwelled to the north of the great river. Probably tales were related of a vast forest, surrounded by desert on the north, east and west and by the great canyon on the south. Possibly he was told of the great number of deer, the white-tailed squirrels, and an area pockmarked with sink holes where water should be expected but generally was not. Distances were great in the Don's day and no matter what his wishes might have been, tales of desert, warring peoples to the north, and a several-hundred-mile trip to a river crossing would curb the desire of the most ardent explorer, so, probably reluctantly, he turned back toward New Spain to bring the news of his discoveries.

Heavy snows close the Kaibab to winter travel, but in the spring, summer and fall it affords scenic marvels to the visitor.

The actual discovery of the Kaibab had to wait some time for the coming of the Anglo hunter from the East in his search for new and untouched areas.

As a result of the early discovery by the hunter and trapper, the name Kaibab was lost and to the pioneer of Southern Utah and the Arizona strip, the Indian name for mountain lying down gave way to the name of Buckskin Mountain from the great quantity of buckskin which was packed out of the area to market and sold.

Following the hunter, trapper and Indian trader came the pioneer stockmen. Contrary to most of the stock industry in the balance of Northern Arizona, these stockmen were of the northern calibre from Utah and not the Texan.

It seems that the first concerted move to put stock on the Kaibab Plateau was accomplished by the Mormon Church to increase the wealth of their people. After the church, as a unit, had the business well established it was sold to individuals.

The early development of the stock interests rapidly expanded. However, the nation, astounded by its rapidly diminishing timber supply in the more populous areas, had legislated to create Forest Reserves. The timber resources of the Kaibab had become known and on February 20, 1893, President Benjamin Harrison created the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve. The area designated included the present Kaibab National Forest, the Grand Canyon National Park and an area south of the Canyon. The next national move was on November 28, 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt created the Grand Canyon National Game Preserve. This included the entire area. Again on July 2, 1908, the same president, by proclamation, changed the name to the Kaibab National Forest and fixed the southern boundary at the Colorado River. The reason for changing the name from Reserve to National Forest was to overcome the feeling that the area was "reserved," the object being rather to set it aside to be used properly for the "greatest good for the greatest number." In 1919 the Grand Canyon National Park was created and included (Turn to Page 33)