by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
The extensive trail system surrounding Moab, Utah, is what draws countless 4x4 enthusiasts to this small town in the southeastern part of the state. One of those trails, Top of the World, sits east of the town — perhaps a meandering 30-45 minute drive over Route 128.
You’ve no doubt seen pictures of the trail, you know, the ones where people drive their Jeep right up to the edge of a cliff that overlooks a huge valley.
Well, what you may not know is just past Top of the World’s trailhead sits an engineering landmark that is on the National Register of Historic Places and may have really saved the town of Moab when the thing was constructed.
The Dewey Bridge.
These days, there is nothing more there than steel cables hanging across the Colorado River and iron posts jutting into the ground. But a century ago, the bridge was so much more. And most who take the journey to Top of the World, never travel just a few feet further to take a look.
Built in 1916, Dewey Bridge at the time was the second-largest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi and something that proved to be a vital transportation and commercial link connecting southeastern Utah with Colorado.
Following its construction, the wooden bridge could support the weight of six horses, three wagons and 9000 pounds of freight which was substantial as Moab, and many other communities in southeastern Utah were dependent on supplies and agricultural items from western Colorado.
The bridge spans a section of the Colorado River and actually was the first direct connection across the river when it was completed. Even today, it is still Utah’s longest suspension bridge.
Back in 2000, Dewey underwent a through renovation and was still used as a river crossing by hikers and bikers, and occasionally herds of cattle or sheep across the river, while vehicles could use a new concrete bridge that stood just a few feet away to the west.
Sadly, Dewey’s wooden structure burned down in 2008 after some careless kids playing with matches accidentally set the thing on fire, and subsequent attempts to rebuild the bridge never panned out.
Still, if you find yourself headed out to Top of the World during EJS, or any other time during the year, make sure to go just a few feet further to see this engineering marvel.
