San Rafael Swell: South Fork Eagle Canyon

[Hatchcanyon]

Eagle Canyon in the San Rafael Swell is a well known 4WD Trail. Coming down from Sinbad Country - more or less the highest part of the Swell - it points more or less into a northwestern direction, crossing I 70 below two bridges. The historical site of Swaseys Cabin may serve as a starting point.

Two and a half year ago we found another trail into the canyon. It starts at CR 1019 ( 12S 0514572 4289990 ) going north (CR 1024). Family Butte aka Seven Sisters is not far away.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00841_12.jpg
Alongside CR 1019

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00839_12.jpg
Family Butte / Seven Sisters

Unfortunately it's quite cloudy. We hope not to run into rain.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00845_12.jpg
Emery County Road 1024

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00846_12.jpg
Green Vein Mesa

County Road 1024 was in good condition, no difficulties at all!

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00847_12.jpg
Old mine at Green Vein Mesa - notice the ladder!

At 12S 0514613 4292480 and 12S 0514606 4292571 spurs branches off but we don't follow these ones. Our road goes west and ascends to the top of Green Vein Mesa.At 12S 0513575 4292462 anothe spur goes south to old mines, we turn right to the north.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00851_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00853_12.jpg
Turkey Tower and road

The road goes nearby the edge of Reds Canyon.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00854_12.jpg
Reds Canyon View

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00855_12.jpg
San Rafael Knob in a distance

The road stay at the same level for one and a half mile but with no view. Then it descends through a small canyon to meet another trail at 12S 0515372 4294815. Going left - north - leads into South Fork Eagle Canyon.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00857_12.jpg
Heading to South fork Eagle Canyon

The road deteriorates, becomes a 4WD trail after a while.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00858_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00859_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00861_12.jpg
Cliffs along the road - and some sun!

A shallow pass leads into South Fork Eagle Canyon.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00863_12.jpg
Now we are on a trail

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00866_12.jpg
South side of the shallow pass

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00868_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00874_12.jpg
The pass

The northern ramp becomes more rocky, spotting in some places might be a good idea.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00875_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00876_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00877_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00878_12.jpg
Some steps on the trail

Part 2:

Top of the shallow pass:
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00873_12.jpg
Amelanchier utahensis (Utah Serviceberry)

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00879_12.jpg
Another nice place

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00881_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00882_12.jpg
Cliffs and trail in South Fork Eagle canyon

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00883_12.jpg
Penstemon utahensis

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00884_12.jpg
Heading to Main Fork Eagle Canyon

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00885_12.jpg
I love these picturesque dead juniper trees

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00887_12.jpg
South fork Eagle Canyon

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00888_12.jpg
Pillar

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00891_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00892_12.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00893_12.jpg
More pictures from the canyon

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/DSC00895_12.jpg
Some differential erosion

At 12S 0514771 4299092 the South Fork Trail meets the Main Trail through Eagle Canyon. Going right would lead to Swaseys Cabin one and a half mile away. We are goint left down Eagle Canyon.

More information about the road/trail: South Fork Eagle Canyon (http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/South_Fork_Eagle_Canyon/index2.php)