The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-01-31
THE MIDLAND TRAIL.

We have a letter from Mr.. Loren H.
Taylor, editor and manager Of the Grand
Valley Times, at Moab. in which a
strong plea is made for the location Of
the Midland trail through Moab. OBJ
lections are stated against the route
for q State highway that parallels the
Denver e. Rio Grande Railway through
Grand county. Mr.. Taylor urges that
this route is at times impossible ami
that great advantage would be obtained
and much expense spared by abandon.
ing all idea OF making that the Mid
land trail. Mr.. Taylor presents, instead
route through Moab as more pic
turesque, as following the settlements,
and as not of greater length than the
one proposed along the Rio Grande
Railway. But we will let Mr.. Taylor
speak for himself. His letter is as fol-
lows:
Moab, Utah, Jan 2S. 1913.
| Editor Tribune:-As you are no doubt
aware. there VIII be introduced in the
| state legislature a bill to appropriate
| $50, 600 for the immediate opening up OF
| the Midland Trail in Utah for auto travel.
The bill may have been introduced al
| ready,
1t is proposed that the funds be ex-
pended on those portions OF the road that
are not 'passable at this time. especially
that portion between Green River ana
Grand Junction, in Grand county.
The state road commission, according
to last Sundays Tribune. expects to des-
lgnaSe as a state highway the route that
PSrmlaeIs t5ron,a, +5fs She oUe UenyeT K9 Grande
FUNDS may be expended on the road TO
get II in passable condition.
The designation OF this route in Grand
county as a state highway, and there
fore part Of the Midland Trail. is mis-
take that win prove costly 10 Utah. The
people OF Grand county deplorc this pro-
posed action on the part Of the highway
commission.
Before any road through the county is
chosen as part OF the transcontinental
highway an Investigation of other routes
Green River TO Grand Junction that is
superior In every way to the one that
parallels the railroad. That route goes
by way of Moab.
Leaving Green River this auto route
goes directly 10 Moab over road that
Is now passable and over which automo-
biles are now travelling. II crosses the
Grand river bridge at Moab. and then
follows up the canyon OF the Grand river
TO Castleton. This canyon road is in ex-
cellent condltlon-in fact, is the best road
In this section OF the country II was
at one time built for toll road From
Castleton the route passes north OF the
La Sal mountains by way OF Gateway
over Pinyon mesa and on TO Grand juno
ton. This route Is no longer than the
desert route. and the roadbed is excel
lent. With the exception OF about fif-
teen miles, the route is now passable FOR
auto travel.
One OF the convincing reasons for the
designation of this route is the fact that
IL passes. for most Of the way through
taxable property which is inhabited.
As a route for tourists. the Moab road
cannot be surpassed IN the United States.
The Grand River canyon above Moab has
been sadly neglected heretofore by See
America First enthusiasts who point
with Justly glowing pen and tongue 20
natures wonders IN the west From
Moab to Castleton. a distance OF about
twenty-five miles. the canyon vlstas arc
wonderful. With massive cliffs on either
side OF the river, which is broken in nu-
merous places by rapids. and with the
white peaks Of the La Sal mountains
studding the background. nature has In
this canyon formed one OF the most awe
inspiring pictures Of the west.
or course: scenery does not constitute
cause Tor the maintenance by the state
Of road. but in this case some OF the
most magnificent wonders known are
admirably combined With the other nee
essary qualifications for a transcontl-
The desert route which parallels the
railroad crosses over q dreary alkaIi eN-
panse Of territory, that will be an eye
sore forever. II this route is designafed
II will cost the state thousands Of dol.
lars each year The roadbed would CON
sist OF clay formation which I'm the
over which travel is impossible
Knowing the two routes. and the mr.
gent necessity for discouraGlng the Sc 1
lection % the desert road. the residents
tion oe made before the State Road Com
mission deslenates a route that will for
ever be a knock or Utah