Looking for San Rafael Hiking Suggestions

[DiscGo]

My family is headed to the Swell this weekend and I'm looking for suggestions. We have done Little Wild Horse, Goblin Valley, Crawford Draw, & Crack Canyon previously. I don't feel like my kids are up for Ding & Dang yet. Anyone have any suggestions for us?

[Sombeech]

A short but rewarding hike is the Wild Horse Window caves, if you haven't done it yet. Just south of the Temple Mtn area on the way to Goblin Valley.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W44AegT1qzE

[BruteForce]

How about a hike into Black Dragon Canyon?

[Iceaxe]

Just South of the Swell is Lower Maidenwater.
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/maidl.htm

[rockgremlin]

A short but rewarding hike is the Wild Horse Window caves, if you haven't done it yet. Just south of the Temple Mtn area on the way to Goblin Valley.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W44AegT1qzE


Whew!! That was satisfying.

Now I need a cigarette...

[DiscGo]

http://climb-utah.com/Powell/maidl.htm
Iceaxe- Will we hit water this time of year?

[Iceaxe]

@Iceaxe (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=36)- Will we hit water this time of year?

There is always ankle-deep water in Lower Maidenwater (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/maidl.htm), what you will discover after that just depends on how the latest flash flood has rearranged the sand dams. The most water I've ever encountered is knee deep, but I've also heard of one group hitting a short swim. You can always reverse out if the water gets to deep.

FWIW: I consider Lower Maidenwater one of the most underrated slot canyon hikes in Utah. I really don't know why it's not more popular as I think it's better, or at least as good, as Little Wild Horse. YMMV

Also you can hike up Leprechaun Canyon (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/leprechaun1.htm) from the bottom on the same trip as it's just down the road. Leprechaun from the bottom is also a great hike, but it's too short to be a stand alone destination. Blarney Canyon (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/blarney1.htm) from the bottom is an OK hike. And there is always Trachyte Falls (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/trachytefalls.htm), Hog Spring Pictographs (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/hogspring.htm) and Little Egypt (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/littleegypt.htm) in the same area. It's easy to spend a couple days hiking in the area.

Hurst Bridge (http://climb-utah.com/SRS/hurst.htm) is also nearby.




http://climb-utah.com/Powell/Files/maidl1.jpg

[rockgremlin]

FWIW: I consider Lower Maidenwater one of the most underrated slot canyon hikes in Utah. I really don't know why it's not more popular as I think it's better, or at least as good, as Little Wild Horse. YMMV


Completely agree. It really is an underrated gem. I've done it twice and both times I ran into very little water -- only ankle deep on the very lower end of the slot.

[DiscGo]

Thank you, guys! I'm excited for this weekend.