Many people have stories regarding how Nine Mile Canyon got it's name. One of those stories I found in a 13-page pamphlet...It goes like this:
"When John Wesley Powell was leading a government expedition through Utah in 1869 he had a topographer with him by the name of Bishop. Map maker Bishop did a nine mile triangulation drawing which he named Nine Mile Creek. This was nine miles from the entrance of Desolation Canyon. Maps presented to congress by the Powell expedition have Nine Mile Creek and Bishop Ridge clearly labeled. The so-called [Fremont Culture] that lived in this area is believed to be from 600 A.D. to 1200 A.D. Petroglyphs near Vernal have been deciphered to read September 2, 988 A.D. of our calendar." (This quote was taken from the pamphlet/book by A.G. Pratt, "Nine Mile Canyon: A self guided tour to ancient ruins and petroglyphs")
This is not necessarily to be taken
as the reasoning behind the name Nine Mile Canyon however because in time I
will list more stories that surround the name and the history. If you know anything,
or have a story you would like to share with me regarding the history of Nine
Mile Canyon, send it to me and I will post it along with you name and email
address, unless you ask me not to.