Register Rock

After crossing the Little Colorado River and Canyon Diablo the Beale party stopped for breakfast where the road passes between two lines of sandstone rocks. These rocks became a popular spot for wagon train emigrants to inscribe their names. Thanks to Jack Beale Smith for telling me about this place.

The Beale Wagon Road on the Navajo Reservation west of Leupp. Tom Jonas photo.

Beale Road passing Register Rock. A distant view of San Francisco Mountain is visible in the gap. Tom Jonas photo.

Inscriptions on the rock. The largest one reads “J. J. Carleton TEXAS NOV. 3rd 1870.” Tom Jonas photo.

May Humphreys Stacy’s journal entry:

September 9. Wednesday. Started at sunrise and drove four miles. We camped at a pass between two rocks. Found grass plenty but no water. The animals were driven back to the river. When they returned we got underway. Our road lay over a most beautiful rolling country upon which there was plenty of grass, enough to supply the wants of an unlimited number of cattle.