Books can take you in new and unexpected directions. When author Scott Thybony read about a journey to the Grand Canyon by a band of scalphunters in the 19th century, he had no idea it would lead him to an important fossil tracksite millions of years old. He recounts the experience in this month’s Canyon Commentary.
The Journey from Pages to Discovery
Books have the power to transport readers not just mentally, but sometimes physically, to extraordinary places. Such was the case for Scott Thybony, whose reading of Samuel Chamberlain’s My Confession, Recollections of a Rogue set him on an unexpected path. The book narrates the tale of a young soldier during the Mexican War and his subsequent Grand Canyon expedition with scalphunters, blurring the lines between historical events and creative imagination.
An Ill-Fated Expedition
Chamberlain’s story takes a dramatic turn when he deserts the army, joining John Glanton and his group of scalphunters in 1849. Their quest led them north with ambitions of finding the mythical city of Cibola. Instead, they encountered landscapes that resembled a grand city made of nature’s architecture. Chamberlain’s account describes their journey towards the Grand Canyon, despite advice against navigating the Colorado River due to its perilous gorges. Encouraged by Judge Holden, they pressed on to witness “the greatest natural wonder of the world.”
Historical Narratives and Geographical Mysteries
Chamberlain’s narrative, though filled with vivid imagery, often stretches the truth, with descriptions that do not align with known geography. Despite these discrepancies, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian William Goetzmann confirmed many key events, considering the book a “rough-hewn literary masterpiece” while questioning its overall reliability.
On the Trail of Truth
Intrigued by Chamberlain’s route, Thybony compared the landscapes described with actual terrains, uncovering mismatches in vegetation and distances. However, the essence of truth lingered in Chamberlain’s words. Following the footsteps of Canyon trekker Harvey Butchart, Thybony ventured into the canyon, discovering that parts of Chamberlain’s account did align with the physical location.
Unearthing Ancient Footprints
During his exploration, Thybony stumbled upon a significant discovery. On a sandstone ledge, he found fossilized tracks from an ancient dune-climbing reptile dating back 280 million years. This remarkable find, not mentioned by Chamberlain, led to a National Geographic documentary and further explorations funded by a grant.
Scott Thybony is a Flagstaff-based writer. His Canyon Commentaries are produced by KNAU Arizona Public Radio.
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