Cisco "NO SERVICES!"

[Honaker]

Hello Moab 4-Wheelers,

I have been coming to Moab since the late eighties, mostly for biking and hiking. More recently in September I added jeeping and had a blast. I like making a pilgramage to the shrine that is a few miles down the road from Cisco to Moab and a journey to the shrine is not complete without taking in the mecca of Moab and Canyonlands.

[greenjeep]

Welcome!!

What "shrine" are you talking about?

[Honaker]

greenjeep,

Coming from Denver I turn south on 128 and drive through the near ghost town of Cisco. A few miles down the road 128 meets up with the the river. At this point there is an old abandoned gas station and roadside oaisis. There is a board wall that runs for thirty or forty feet. On the wall the ten commandments are printed along with a list of churches in the area. There are also statistics and warnings related to drunken driving and drug use, other trivia and plastic flower arrangements. The site is always kept clean. The old gas pumps are frozen in time when gas costs were in the 60 cent per gallon range. After the "shrine" you cross the river and begin the beautiful riverside drive through the canyon down to Moab.

When you drive along 70 there are two exits to 128. On either side of them there are the big green signs that say "Cisco, No Services." However there is now a small rustic store in Cisco.

[greenjeep]

Oh, ok. I've driven through Cisco a few times and I wondered about that gas station, but I've never stopped. I'll have to look next time I go through on my way to Colorado.

[jmaxj]

right before dewy bridge right?

[Honaker]

jmaxj,

Yes, there is a bridge there, might even have some kind of historical status. It is not the one that you drive over.

[xjchic]

Ya, I think that's the OLD Dewey Bridge.

[Honaker]

Dewey know what Dewey was known for? ;D

[jmaxj]

Honaker said:

Yes, there is a bridge there, might even have some kind of historical status. It is not the one that you drive over.

yeah the one you drive next to is the dewy bridge, just an old suspension bridge. and i also stopped last night on my way back fron gr. junction and seen the "shrine" at the old texaco(i think it was), kinda cool

[tracyj]

It's been over a year since someone asked the question....well here's an answer. From the plaque at Dewey Bridge (the old one): Constructed in 1916 and restored in 2000, it is on the National Register of Historical Places.
In its prime it was designed to support the weight of 6 horses, 3 wagons and 9000 lbs. of freight. It was a vital transportation and commercial link between E. Utah and W. Colorado. In the early decades of the 20th century, Moab and other towns nearby, relied on supplies from W. Colo. and the markets to sell their goods. This bridge was the first to supply a direct connection over the Co. River.
Dewey Bridge is Utah's longest suspension bridge, and at the time of construction, was the second longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. It is also the state's longest clear span bridge.
Now you know.

[greenjeep]

Cool, thanks!!

[Honaker]

tracyj said:

It's been over a year since someone asked the question....well here's an answer. From the plaque at Dewey Bridge (the old one): Constructed in 1916 and restored in 2000, it is on the National Register of Historical Places.
In its prime it was designed to support the weight of 6 horses, 3 wagons and 9000 lbs. of freight. It was a vital transportation and commercial link between E. Utah and W. Colorado. In the early decades of the 20th century, Moab and other towns nearby, relied on supplies from W. Colo. and the markets to sell their goods. This bridge was the
first to supply a direct connection over the Co. River.
Dewey Bridge is Utah's longest suspension bridge, and at the time of construction, was the second longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. It is also the state's longest clear span bridge.
Now you know.

Who says there are no services?

Thanks Tracyj1

[timb]

My first trip to Moab I drove a very heavy 1 ton across that old bridge - it had a steel flatbed and barely fit. I think total weight was about 11,000 pounds or maybe a little more. It was a tight squeeze but the bridge held it no problem. I drove it many times but that first trip sticks in my mind for some reason.

[brokagain]

Having driven the Dewey bridge a few times before (I never went the long way), I was dissapointed to see the new bridge. I still take the canyon route on the way home.

[timb]

Since we've already hi-jacked this old thread......

Did you know that Dewey bought several old bridges and assembled the Dewey bridge from the materials? He also built the bridge and parts of the road in a plan to make a toll road from it. The city fathers were not pleased though and managed to boot him out and make it a public road. Legend has it he never made back his investment. He was also involved in the original plan to bring water through the wall from mill creek to water spanish valley and plant orchards and vinyards. He was also booted out of that deal.

When you are coming from Cisco towards the bridge, the is a series of man made caves up on the right just before the "shrine" mentioned above. If you look inside there are conduits and wiring as well. Legend has it the house in the rock was almost done when a dispute over the property line came up and it was never occupied.

Before you get to the caves, there is a big rock outcrop on the right covered with indian writing - look for the pull off. Please don't touch them.