In 1879, 230 Mormons from southwestern Utah were "called" to cross the state and settle in the vicinity of the San Juan River. The pioneers chose a direct, but unexplored route, and when they reached the Colorado River, found themselves at the abyss of Glen Canyon. By then it was too late in the season to turn back, so they blasted a notch through a 50 foot cliff and built a perilously steep road down to the Colorado, a drop of 1,800 feet in 3/4 of a mile. The party's eight wagons were lowered with their rear wheels locked and a dozen or more men hanging on to chains and ropes attached to a wagon to slow it down. After a hazardous crossing of the Colorado on rafts they had made, the pioneers struggled on.
The "Hole-in-the-Wall" Expedition, as they were later called, arrived here too tired to go any farther. They chose this section of the San Juan River canyon in which to plant their fields and build new homes. They hoped that their presence here would secure the region for Mormon settlement and lead to the conversion of the Indians. The settlers tried repeatedly to farm the fertile canyon, only to have the river wash their fields away. Most residents gave up and moved to more promising area, but many of those who stayed prospered with large cattle herds. Today Bluff has a population of about 250.
Navajo Twin Rocks represent the sacred materials that comprise a k'eet'aans. Their elements may include white shell, turquoise, abalone, jet, bluebird feathers, eagle and turkey down, mountain tobacco, and the colors associated with the four directions. The layers on the Navajo Twins represent these objects, and when the Dine leave prayers and offerings in the vicinity, they may be blessed with twin children.