Explorations Grand Canyon Expedition FOX TV Video

Forgotten Pathways

On October 6th 2000, a small group of explorers departed for the North rim of the Grand Canyon. Following clues from a newspaper report from 1909 and the extensive research conducted by Greg and Sheri Nelson, Tyler Pauley and the FOX (channel 10 Phoenix) News team, we hoped to shed light on the remarkable discovery of a lost city within the vast area of the Grand Canyon.

Before we traveled to the site, Greg and Sheri had traveled through the canyon on a commercial raft trip frequently offered to tourists. During their journey, Greg and Sheri examined the canyon with attention toward the clues mentioned in the 1909 article. Afterward, using a USGS topographical map and clues from their recent trip, they were able to narrow an area to within a few miles of where it is believed the initial discovery had been made almost 100 years ago.

During the course of the investigation several items became obvious to those researching. It was a mystery why the information about the discovery was missing from the newspaper. It seemed this was the only portion (date) there was any information missing from the archives. Then there was the absence of information relating to the fellow who made the original discovery. Although the Smithsonian was the organization the artifact were delivered to, there was no record of these artifacts or of the explorer who found them! Nor could we uncover any clues to where this man went to after these discoveries. It was as if he simply vanished... Then within a year, the Federal Government acquired the area of the Grand Canyon and set it aside, never to be used for mining or further exploration again. From that point forward it would be a crime to enter the area unless granted permission. Only the native Americans were allowed to remain because of sacred sites used during ceremony.

Finally, maps and the newest GPS available in hand, we headed toward Northern Arizona. Traveling in a small convoy of 4 wheel drive vehicles we headed toward Tuba City. Here we spent our first night and plotted the next days activities. Looking at the Topo maps of the area west of Tuba City it was easy to see how a spider web of roads (mostly old wagon trails) would have to be navigated.

We started our journey early Saturday morning. Kathy, Bryce and I, accompanied by our friends Michael and Carla, traveled to Hotevilla hoping to visit my friend an Hopi Medicine man, Emery. We went to ask if he would be interested to join us. Because we would be nearby the sacred areas of the Hopi it was felt his blessing would be in order - his presence would be an added bonus should we be stopped or asked questions. As it was, we knew our presence might be viewed suspicious and our proximity to the canyon could possibly be illegal.

Emery wasn't able to join us. He did have advise for us, though. We were told the area we were intending to enter was sacred ground located on government and Navaho land. Our presence there might be questioned. And should we successfully arrive, it was important we give and offering of tobacco and cornmeal to the spirits. This is an ancient place only the elders had permission and a right to enter. Emery could not recall the last time anyone had been there, but was well aware what could be found.

"Those are the dwellings once inhabited by an ancient race who have disappeared a long time ago. This was before the last purification." he said. "Now we honor those who have passed into the spiritual world. The city is now a place where only spirits of the dead reside. We respect this place and those people. We leave it alone."

With his blessings and warnings, we returned to Tuba City. After a brief lunch our small band of explorers continued on toward the Northern Rim and the mysteries hidden between the great canyons walls...

These are the photos we took and the story, both in pictures and text. Did we find what we were looking for... please continue to see for yourself.

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