Zion National Park is a roughly quadrangular area of approximately 120
square miles, sixty-four miles by highway from Cedar City, and sixty
miles on an air line north of the rim of Grand Canyon. It was set apart
as a National Monument under its Indian name, _Mukuntuweap_, in 1909. In
1919 its area was enlarged, its name was changed to that given it by the
Mormon pioneers, and it was made a National Park.
There are cliff dwelling ruins in Zion Canyon, more in Parunuweap
Canyon, and the modern Indians had a reverent acquaintance with its
solemn amphitheatres. Several interpretations are given of its Indian
name, _Mukuntuweap_. Major Powell translated it “straight canyon;”
another interpretation is “place of many waters;” still another is
“place of the gods.” One legend declares that the Paru-sha-pats Indians
once saw a light upon the West Temple and supposed it to be a signal
fire to warn them of a Navajo raid. But they found that the West Temple
is unscalable and decided that friendly rock spirits had produced a
supernatural incandescence; and so, to them, it was “Rock-rover’s Land.”
It is certain that the Indians regarded Zion Canyon as a place sacred to
spiritual beings; they laid their propitiatory offerings of flesh and
fruit at the foot of the crimson crags of Sinawava and none would spend
a night in their shadows.
Mormon colonists entered the region about 1858, began its patient
reclamation by irrigation, and named the marvelous canyon Little Zion.
Major Powell, the famous explorer-geologist reconnoitered the country in
1870. A few years later Captain Dutton studied it and in “The Tertiary
History of the Grand Canyon District,” now out of print, presented a
picture that is “a classic of inspired description.” From that time
until 1909, except for the visits of a few artists and travelers of the
adventurous type, Zion was practically unknown. It may now be visited in
perfect comfort. Several colleges have sent classes there for summer
study.
[Illustration: _The Mountain of Mystery, Zion National Park_]