Sitgreaves Pass facts for kids

Sitgreaves Pass is a special low point, or gap, in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona. It sits high up at about 3,586 feet (1,093 meters) above sea level. This pass is like a natural doorway through the mountains.

How Sitgreaves Pass Got Its Name

This mountain pass has an interesting story about how it got its name. In October 1857, a man named Edward Fitzgerald Beale was building a road called Beale's Wagon Road. When he crossed this pass, he named it John Howells Pass. He named it after one of the people who was with him on his journey.

The Naming Mix-Up

Later, the pass was renamed Sitgreaves Pass. It was named after Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves. He was an important leader from the Corps of Topographical Engineers. In 1851, Captain Sitgreaves led an exploration called the Expedition Down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers.

However, there was a mistake! Captain Sitgreaves and his team never actually crossed the Black Mountains at this specific pass. They crossed farther north at places like Secret Pass or Union Pass.

The name "Sitgreaves Pass" was given by Lieutenant Joseph Christmas Ives in March 1858. Lieutenant Ives was also from the Corps of Topographical Engineers. He thought that Sitgreaves' expedition had crossed this pass. He was traveling eastward to study the Colorado Plateau on his way to Fort Defiance. This was after he had explored the Colorado River. Even though it was a mistake, the name Sitgreaves Pass stuck!