The river endured when the lava flow hit the river path and created a dam. It changed course and plummeted 185 feet (185 feet) higher than Niagara Falls, dropping back into the original formation.

The waterfall created by this turn is called the Adahilini. Also known as the Grand Falls or Chocolate Falls, it’s named after a sediment-rich seasonal stream that cascades deep reddish-brown cascades down its rim. Since time immemorial, Adahirini has been a place of reverence for the Navajo who have made their homes there.

In recent decades, it has also become a popular free attraction for those wanting to watch the Little Colorado River plunge on its way to the Grand Canyon. For a time, the Navajo residents around Grand Falls tolerated visits to the area. But now they’ve had enough.

Grand Falls is closed to tourists until further notice.

The closure is being implemented through a grassroots effort by locals in the Lub branch community. On Saturday, they worked together to form a “regional blockade” using sandstone boulders and “no-traffic” signs to barricade the road to Adahirini. Residents of the area queued all day long, grilled Navajo burritos, and turned away outsiders who came to blockade. While the falls are not under the jurisdiction of the state, county, city, or park service, this local community act is supported by the Navajo National Parks Organization.

According to a statement from a local organizer, “Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls)’s growing popularity has resulted in overflowing trash, alcohol containers (the Navajo Nation Act prohibits alcohol), and ATV groups off-roading into residential areas. encroachment on designated roads, high tourism, poor road maintenance, disturbance of natural ecosystems, their inhabitants and cultural sites.

“Invaded” was the word Sharon Tso, who grew up near Grand Falls, used to describe her feelings about tourism in the area.

“It was different when my grandparents were here,” Tso said. “Relieved. I don’t have it anymore.

Tso explained how regular tourism to remote areas resulted in regular disruptions. Illegal camping, shootings, drones flying over private residences, lost or drunk tourists knocking on doors in the middle of the night asking for directions.

“It’s crazy,” she said.

For community member Darlene Roides, one of the most significant effects of tourism to the area is the prevalence of off-road vehicles. Due to the spread of housing in the area, the high desert around Adahilini may seem empty to strangers. In fact, many of them are pasturelands with history and significance that the average tourist would be blinded by speeding past.

“We used to have more livestock, but they were always crossing the road,” says Roides. “Now they are in danger. [off-roaders] Don’t care for livestock. ”

Roides also pointed out an area beyond the falls where off-roaders regularly drive.

“Our loved ones are late to rest there,” said Loides. “We don’t need them [off-roaders]No need for them to come out and run over plants and sometimes over dogs. We lost several dogs. ”

When asked to speculate on why the area is so inundated with tourists, Roides pinpointed social media. She said that Adah’iilíní’s picturesque scenes were “shared, shared, shared”, driving more and more visitors.

“We used to come here when there was heavy traffic,” says Roides.

It’s no secret that Adah’iilíní is a popular site on social media, especially platforms like Instagram. A quick search for “Grand Falls” on Instagram returns thousands of photos and videos taken from the site. The hashtags “#grandfalls” and “#grandfallsarizona” have been used in over 23,000 posts on Instagram alone.

One of these posts is by Cassy Arch, an Arizona landscape photographer with over 57,000 followers. She said she uses her Instagram as a means to support and promote her own photography business. During her monsoon season last year, Arch visited Adahilini and posted from that location.

“It was an incredible crowd,” said Arch. “I saw a jeep over the edge of the road and he was trying to make his way.”

Arch acknowledged that social media can have a negative impact by promoting harmful levels of tourism, but those using social media as a means of doing business can stay competitive. He explained that he believes he may feel pressured to tag locations in his posts in order to do so.

“Otherwise they [Instagram] Don’t put yourself on the algorithm and give it that exposure,” Arch said.

Finding out about Adah’iilíní’s closure didn’t come as much of a surprise to Arch.

“I completely understand,” she said. “It was mayhem the last time I was there.”

“I think it needs to change,” added Arch. “Closed, or allowed, or something with a little more control.”

Creating a paid permit system for Adah’iilíní might seem like a potential solution to reduce visits to the area, but for some residents this has undesirable consequences. will be

Resident Brandon Bennerley said, “I think the settler community created the idea that all things beautiful are for sale.”Tourism isn’t the only way to live. There are healthy ways to appreciate it without turning it into a commodity.”

Bennery also did not see the need to involve something like a government agency in Adahirini’s protection.

“Many people need to be reminded that mutual aid stepped up where government services failed, just like during the pandemic,” he said.

“Recognize that the people here are already providing those services before the government services are in place,” he added. And if we continue to rely on the power of that kinship and solidarity, this could be one of many small fires turning into one big one. I think it has character.”

The idea of ​​paid permits and tours in the area is also in line with resident Violet White’s sensibilities. Explaining the sacredness of the area, she explained that the Navajo would march hundreds of miles away to New Mexico by U.S. forces, or until her death, during an attempted ethnic cleansing of the Long Walk. ancestors lived in nearby canyons. beginning. White wanted to see Adahirini closed before it could be used for her lucrative ventures.

“We don’t look at our land like money,” said White. “The earth protects us, so we must take care of it.”

“Land is its own land,” she added. “We are only here to protect it. The land now needs time to heal.”