.jpg "Navajo Bridge SR89A AZ")
Navajo Bridge crosses the Colorado River on Highway 89A, Vermilion Cliffs backdropThe Grand Canyon poses a long obstacle for highway transportation. It is 600 miles (965 km) between bridges. The original ferry crossing five miles upstream at the mouth of Glen Canyon operated from 1873 to 1928.
.jpg "Old and new Navajo Bridges Marble Canyon AZ")
Old (left) and new Navajo Bridges, Navajo land on far side and Echo Cliffs backdropThe first bridge was completed in 1929, shortly after the ferry sank. Over time modern vehicles became too large for the 18 foot (5.48 meter) width and the new Navajo Bridge was completed in 1995.
.jpg "Marble Canyon & Colorado River from Navajo Bridge AZ")
Up streamThe Colorado River flows through Marble canyon from Lees Ferry to the confluence of the Little Colorado River.
.jpg "Colorado River in Marble Canyon & Navajo Bridge AZ")
Down stream
The bridge is 467 feet (142 meters) above the river.
.jpg "California Condors under Navajo Bridge AZ")
California Condors, taken 5-09
California condors are often seen at Navajo Bridge. But don’t just look up to see them. Condors frequently roost in the shade under the bridges. C1 and C9, both captive breed four-year old females.
.jpg "Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center Marble Canyon AZ")
Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center
If you can see the numbered tag on a condor hanging out at the bridge go into the Interpretive Center and ask who it is. They have a “cheat” sheet that is a who’s who of the Arizona condors.
.jpg "Navajo Bridge shadow on Marble Canyon walls AZ")
Just for fun. Can you see me on the bridge?
Navajo Bridge is one of many worthwhile stops along the Arizona highway 89. I stopped at the bridge after touring Antelope Slot Canyon and on the way home to the North Rim.
Oh Gaelyn, I love your new header photo. Brilliant! What an interesting post about the bridges and condors. Thanks for sharing.
I'd love to stand on that bridge and look down down down…
great photos of Navajo Bridge. I have a couple of condor photos with tags I will post in about two weeks after the slot canyon photos. I am being a tease in leading up to the wonderful photos of slot canyon. i think you will really like the tongue and log photos from the slot canyons. I love it when photographers go to the same areas yet we all take such different perspectives. it is fun. i am enjoying your site and glad to hook up with you here in arizona. You are quite the adventurer. you will love the guy that owns Hummer Adventures. he is quite the active entrepreneur. there is hardly anyone in the slot canyons a max of 14 total ever, which is really nice for photos.
Nice post. I do love standing on the bridge and, in the true sophomore behaviour, spit. But at least I wait til the boaters go by (and of course, nothing makes it to the river on those hot days). I wonder what it is like looking up at the bridge from the river?
I think we are following each other around lately! Great photos from the bridge!
Another batch of gorgeous photos! I am so enjoying touring this area of the country with you. It's been a while since we were there and will be a year or two before we are able to go back.
WOW! First I have to say I love that first photo of the rock. Very cool! The info and photos on the Navajo bridge is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your photos and blog entry.
In the desert, there is a Condor with no Name. There is just beauty manifesting in a multitude of forms.
Hope you had fun in the Sun of the Grand Canyon this Season Gaelyn.
great photos of the bridges and the canyon…this is a lace I have never visited so thanks for the post…
Hi Gaelyn,
Your pictures are so beautiful! Is the Old bridge just used for hikers now?
Interesting to see the condors hanging out under the bridge. And I like the last shadow shot. Nice!
I love bridges and this one with the scenery is fantastic. Great shots!
West of where I live is the well known tourist route called the Garden Route. In the Tsitsikamma area of the Garden Route there are many gauges with magnificent bridges. All of them are cement bridges though and not steel like these. The gauges look very different as well.
These photos rather made my knees weak because of the heights! I'm not normally prone to that but wow. These are such informative photos.
My wife has hiked the Canyon, but I have not. We plan on visiting in the near future. Thanks for the post.
I don't normally fear crossing a bridge, but I find those two to be very intimidating!! 😉
I love this set of photos – so incredibly pretty!
I'm sure I must have been on this bridge, but I don't remember it. I have to not think about how far above the canyon floor things like that are when I am on them.
I'm working backwards. Dying to see the Antelope Canyon post(s)!
Oh my gosh..what amazing bridges….
Another truly amazing place.
Very nice photos.Greeying from Bulgaria!
I so need to go here!
I do see you!
This is a wonderful area which I've been to a few times, last time being 2001.
I bungee jumped off of this bridge in February of 2003. Wildest ride of my life.