US 89A is the old alignment for US 89. The US 89A (alternative) is definitely a more scenic route than US 89. It runs from Bitter Springs Junction, AZ to Kanab, UT where it rejoins US 89. Several years ago, Utah resigned its portion to UT 11. The junction of US 89 and US 89A is just a "Y" in the road. US 89 climbs up the Echo Cliffs through Antelope Pass to the northeast toward Page. US 89A, on the other hand, bears to the left on a north by northwest heading parallel to the Echo Cliffs. It passes the Navajo Spring region and then goes to the Navajo Bridge. As you cross the bridge, you leave the Navajo Nation. There is a turn off for Lee's Ferry just a mile to the right for viewing the Navajo Bridge. Further down the road, you will enter

Marble Canyon, a small community uniquely situated as a supply point for visitors of Lee's Ferry in the covered wagon days. US 89A now turns to the west and then a little southwest as it moves to parallel the Para Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs wilderness area. You are now getting close to the Cliff Dwellers Lodge. This is another small community geared to serve the sportsman and the outdoor folk. Just before you enter the settlement on the right side of the road, you will pass a rock house. It 's unoccupied but sometimes you may see some Native Americans selling jewelry from this site. The drive continues into the House Rock area. US 89A now starts its climb into the high country of the Arizona Strip. This is the part of Arizona that is cut off from the rest of the state by the Grand Canyon. To the left, you can see an early morning view from a scenic

overlook as US 89A climbs out of the valley floor towards Jacob Lake. Entering the high country in the west always seems to amaze me. A line is drawn by nature and the tree line starts here. The main stable of trees is the Ponderosa Pine and the Aspen trees. You will now be at the junction of US 89A and AZ 67. This is the road that goes to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The road since Cliff Dwellers Lodge has gone southwest and then west but now you will turn north towards Utah. Travel along in the high country pine as US 89A winds back down into high desert through the Lefevre Canyon area.The biggest town that US 89A now goes through is Fredonia located at the Junction of AZ 389. At the

Utah border, US 89A ends since Utah decertified US 89A in favor of UT 11. The federal agency that governs US Highways decided they wanted to get rid of the alternate designations with the US Route System. Unfortunately, Utah didn't work with Arizona to carry out the mandate. Arizona has kept the US 89A designation (a highway of history) showing the original alignment of US 89. There is only about 3 miles that is UT 11. The US Highway System was created for continuity across the nation, to guide the traveling public. The changes that Utah has made are confusing and do not help travelers connect the roadways. In Kanab, the journey ends at the junction of US 89. Remember The Arizona Strip Country is some of the most remote areas in the lower 48 states and those old enough to remember an era thats passed long ago.