San Rafael Swell - Swaseys Leap (2006)

This is an old story out of 2006. Pictures are scanned analog slides (grainy!) with limited quality. Therefore the size is limited too.

There were stories in a book and a black and white picture from the Lower Black Box of the San Rafael River and an old sheep bridge. (We got a glimpse of the Upper Black Box years ago on a trip from the river bridge towards Mexican Mountain.) Especially the tale about jumping over the chasm on a horses back :eek: made the place interesting.

Ranch Exit 131, Buckhorn Draw Road. After less than 4 miles at 12S 0534256, 4305470 we turn right onto a smaller road but do not drive to the culvert.
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_01_8.jpg
Sagebrush Bench

Down to the trailhead means to navigate through a lot of different roads and trails. A list of coordinates and what to do there:

- after 2 Miles at 12S 0537491, 4306554 turn left (Jerrys Flat)
- more than half a mile at 12S 0536943, 4307356 turn right to Rattlesnake Reservoir. Do not turn right at the next juction after a mile.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_02_8.jpg

- at 12S 0537991, 4308199 straight ahead
- at 12S 0539083, 4310129 turn right
- at 12S 0541564, 4310148 turn left
- at 12S 0541982, 4312641 straight ahead

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_03_8.jpg
Rain

- at 12S 0541259, 4313764 turn right
Now you are on a Jeep trail leading to the trailhead (2.25 miles)

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_04_8.jpg
Trailhead

The length of the foot trail to Swaseys Leap is approximately 4 miles one way.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_06_8.jpg
Still something like a road but closed to motorized traffic

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_07_8.jpg
Mexican Mountain

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_08_8.jpg
Point of no return

There is a second barrier that blocks the old road. On USGS Topo Maps it still run down to some point 120 feet above the river.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_09_8.jpg
Behind the bench but in front of the peaks in background San Rafael River is running.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_10_8.jpg
San Rafael River Canyon south of Mexican Mountain

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_11_8.jpg
Mexican Mountain base cliffs

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_12_8.jpg
Mexican Mountain

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_14_8.jpg
At the end of the closed 4WD road

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_15_8.jpg
Lower Black Box crevice

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_16_8.jpg
Black Box and some cliffs of the reef

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_17_8.jpg
Lower Black Box

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_18_8.jpg
Standing 100 feet away there is still the fissure but one can't see it.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_19_8.jpg
Some Sunshine!

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_20_8.jpg
On our way back to the car

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...p2006_23_8.jpg
Waiting for us

We didn't find the old sheep bridge. Later we learned it fell in 1999(?).

Swaseys Leap