San Rafael Swell - The Western Slope and Lone Tree Wedge
Coming from Blue Flat and Mesa Butte we decide to head in an eastern direction at 12S 0485090 4285470. Two Miles farther - 12S 0487750 4285730 - this road turns north towards Lone Tree Crossing but we use a smaller trail to the east.
The trail is not especially difficult nor is the landscape impressive. Some views show Cedar Mountain and some smaller volcanic features.
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...DSC0216_12.jpg
Cedar Mountain in a distance of 8 Miles, some volcanism
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...DSC0218_12.jpg
We trust our USGS Maps and learn that the Butte far left is Factory Butte, but not the famous one near Hanksville
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00029_12.jpg
Contrary weather over Willow Springs Wash Badlands
In a short distance from the picture spot above the only dubious spot of the trail appears. A short, relatively steep and sandy decent into a small wash with an additional sharp turn. Downhill no problem but how about uphill? (There might be another faint trail leading onto the road to Lone Tree Crossing - we didn't test this one.)
One and a half Mile to the East the trail approaches Muddy Creek. Take the left spur at 12S 0492736 4284862. It ends up above the canyon where Muddy enters the Swell.
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00032_12.jpg
Muddy Creek Canyon (upstream) The deep cut on the other side is the mouth of Poncho Wash
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00031_12.jpg
Muddy Creek Canyon (downstream)
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...DSC0220_12.jpg
Watch your step!
Blossoms too:
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...DSC0219_12.jpg
Newberry's Twinpod
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...DSC0228_12.jpg
Sclerocactus parviflorus (?)
Driving back to the main trail and to the left leads to another view point. Distance is a little more than a Mile. Lacking a name we call it Willow Springs Wash Overlook.
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00043_12.jpg
High above the confluence of Muddy Creek (left) and Willow Springs Wash (right)
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00044_12.jpg
The last "Big Bend" of Willow Springs Wash
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00049_12.jpg
Willow Springs Wash Canyon
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...SC00045_12.jpg
Slaughter Slopes and Cedar Mountain
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...DSC0241_12.jpg
Muddy Creek Canyon - Tomsich Butte and dark red Hondo Country in the background
(The German long version of this travel report)