The Colorado’s Own: The Women Who Shaped Lake Mead and Mohave
As America marks its 250th anniversary, the America250 initiative invites us to look at the full sweep of our national story, not just the dates and decisions, but the lives lived in the landscapes that define us. At Lake Mead Mohave Adventures, a proud member of the Adventures Unbound family, we are honoring Women’s History Month by celebrating four women whose stories stretch across the entire Colorado River corridor, from the inner canyon to the open desert, from the 19th century to today.
Four Women Who Defined a Region
The Colorado River has always been a test of character, and in 1938, Dr. Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter met it head on. As the first documented women to travel its full 660 mile length down to Lake Mead, they paddled through some of the most formidable canyon terrain in North America while documenting plant species along the way. Their expedition was both a scientific achievement and a human accomplishment.
The valley that holds much of this region’s history owes a foundational connection to Helen Stewart, one of the first non Indigenous women to settle in the Las Vegas Valley. In the decades before the dams, marinas, and millions of annual visitors, Stewart helped establish the early community that would grow into one of the most visited areas in the region.
The land itself tells a story that stretches back much further, and no one honored that story more clearly than Sarah Winnemucca. A Northern Paiute advocate, educator, and writer, she devoted her life to ensuring the experiences of her people during westward expansion were not overlooked. Her legacy remains an important part of the history of this region.
That stewardship continues today with leaders like Christa Johnston, Chief of Staff for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Overseeing operations and partnerships across Nevada and Arizona, her work reflects a continued commitment to the care of this landscape.
Explore the Corridor They Helped Define
This Women’s History Month, every cove, canyon wall, and open stretch of water in the Lake Mead and Mohave region reflects the legacy of women who explored, settled, defended, and cared for this landscape. We invite you to come experience it for yourself. To learn more about how we are celebrating the stories that make America’s natural heritage whole, visit America250 at Adventures Unbound and explore further at the National Park Service.
