Traces the history of human habitation in Grand County, Utah, following those who have tried to make a home in the beautiful and often harsh terrain. Begins with the earliest known Native Americans, and continues through the Spanish exploration and later trapper eras to the ill fated Elk Mountain Mission of the early Mormons in Utah. Also discusses the renewed settlement efforts in the late 1870's, including Moab, as well as the uranium mining boom of the 1950's and 1960's, the recent rise in tourism, and the current disputes over public land use and management. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR