Question about several roads in the Swell

[pigburner]

Hey everyone,

My oldest daughter is graduating from BYU in a few weeks and I am planning a few days of hiking/scrambling/exploring in the San Rafael Swell with her after her graduation. I recently traded my old Dodge Caravan for a RAV4 which has 4WD but does not have the highest ground clearance (about 7"). Recognizing that road conditions change day to day due to weather conditions, I was wondering about the typical suitability of several roads for the RAV4 (and suitability for my experience which is limited in soft sand):

1. Road to Red Draw near Upper Eardley Canyon
2. The road from the main road to Colonnade Arch trailhead
3. The approximately 3/4 mile sandy 4x4 track towards the West Fork Bluejohn/Main Exit - Is it adviseable to park at the main road and hike the sandy track, or can you drive this short section?
4. The short track from the main road to the Moonshine Wash trailhead - same question as above, park or walk?

We plan on visiting Colonnade Arch/Bow Knot Bend, Horseshoe Canyon, Moonshine Wash, and the hike-in option for Bluejohn. I'd welcome any suggestions for campsites, side trips, other short explorations in the area, and anything else you might want to share. Thanks in advance for any information. I look forward to posting a trip report in a few weeks.

Rick

[asdf]

Road to Red Draw near Upper Eardley Canyon

Typically that road is fine, I have driven it in a car a few times. There can be a large muddy spot about half way in if the cow tank is full. Great place to get stuck. I would suggest taking the 4x4 road near Hyde Draw and parking on the rim below Cliff Dweller Flat... here: 38.853244,-110.560859


The road from the main road to Colonnade Arch trail-head
The last 1/4 mile or so is the worst. I hiked out to the bow-knot a fews years ago and its a fairly long hike.


The short track from the main road to the Moonshine Wash trailhead - same question as above, park or walk?

Should be OK in the Rav4 but if anything clearance will be your issue.

[denaliguide]

did you know you can do a 2" lift on the rav4? that would solve your clearance issue.

[pigburner]

There can be a large muddy spot about half way in if the cow tank is full. Great place to get stuck.

I saw that on Google Earth and thought it looked like the road could pass through a pond at times. The Cliff Dweller Flat road looks like a better option and appears to add only a small amount of hiking. Thanks for the other info also. It gives me a better idea of what to expect.

[pigburner]

did you know you can do a 2" lift on the rav4? that would solve your clearance issue.

Did I say "my RAV4"??? I guess I should have said "my wife's RAV4 that she wants returned without red accents on the gray carpet." Any modifications would need her approval, but thanks for the tip, I can at least look into it.

[asdf]

I saw that on Google Earth and thought it looked like the road could pass through a pond at times. The Cliff Dweller Flat road looks like a better option and appears to add only a small amount of hiking. Thanks for the other info also. It gives me a better idea of what to expect.


If you are hiking down canyon from Red Draw you will need to wade some potholes. Also bypassing the Red Holes can be a little tricky the first time (rember to say high left until you reach the ramp the leads into Eardley.
If you take the Cliff Dweller Route you can avoid getting wet. I would not suggest parking on cliff dweller because that hill really sucks to hike back up after a long day. Look for the road that starts near Hyde Draw and ends at the cords I posted above, this is by far the easiest route into Upper Eardley and requires fairly minimal scrambling.

[pigburner]

I would not suggest parking on cliff dweller because that hill really sucks to hike back up after a long day. Look for the road that starts near Hyde Draw and ends at the cords I posted above...

Thanks for the clarification! I had just approximated the conversion of the GPS coordinates you posted, saw it put me about at the end of cliff dweller flat road, and assumed you were directing me to the cliff dweller trailhead that is referenced in some websites/books. After putting your exact coordinates in last night I can see the small road you are referring to.

A dry and easier entrance to Eardley is nice. If time (and energy) is available I still might wander over to Red Draw - your pictures make it look like an interesting place to poke around a little bit.