Wild Horse Window - San Rafael Swell

[Iceaxe]

Had a couple hours to kill at the end of the day so we stopped off at Wild Horse Window because I was the only one who had seen it before. Pictures do not do this fine natural bridge justice.

The route description can be found here:

Wild Horse Window
http://climb-utah.com/SRS/whw.htm

[tatwood]

Thanks for the pics Ice. Looks like a cool place.

[Iceaxe]

It a cool place. It combines really nice with Goblin Valley for a fun day with the kids. Toss in a hike through Little Wild Horse and you have a great weekend. Just don't do it over Easter weekend because the place will be a zoo.

[tatwood]

I've been there over easter in years past and it was a zoo. We have a tradition to hit some of the more remote places in the Swell over Easter. You get the nice temps and scenery without the crowds.

[Scott P]

Just don't do it over Easter weekend because the place will be a zoo.

How thing have changed. This arch called simply "San Rafael Potty Arch" is a place the Sierra Club used to go when we were little kids. We went on one of their trips to this arch and to Little Wildhorse. Back then, Little Wildhorse and Potty Arch were both "secret hideouts" of the Sierra Club. We even went on a holiday weekend. Absolutely no people. Back then, the road to Little Wildhorse wasn't in good condition, and if you had a car, you had to walk quite a ways on a 4wd road to get there. Even though I'm only 31, it still makes me feel old when I remember how things used to be.

Potty Arch was also known by others as well, because I remember that there were several "pot hunter holes" that were dug under the overhang by people looking for pots. There were also a few signatures around from the 1930's.

[tatwood]

I remember those days Scott. Little Wild Horse was the first canyon I ever did. I was probably only 9 or 10. It used to seem like a very remote and hidden place, but now everybody goes there. It's just a matter of time before they start installing parking meters at the trailhead.

[Iceaxe]

Wild Horse Window is the name registered with the NABS. Just for fun I'll see if I can look up the date that the name was registered.

[Scott P]

Wild Horse Window is the name registered with the NABS. Just for fun I'll see if I can look up the date that the name was registered

Would be interesting. I think we were there in 1984 or 1985, and the name wasn't used on that trip. I haven't been to the window since, but I still remember it pretty well.

[goofball]

we were here a couple years back and it was a fun sport rap for shits-n-grins. a buddy from st. louis was out for a week and for some odd reason somebody thought this was an appropriate 1st rappell. NOT ! he of course was not feelin' it. wise choice.

[shlingdawg]

we were here a couple years back and it was a fun sport rap for shits-n-grins. a buddy from st. louis was out for a week and for some odd reason somebody thought this was an appropriate 1st rappell. NOT ! he of course was not feelin' it. wise choice.

You appear to be WAY to happy about something in that last pic.

[Sombeech]

You appear to be WAY to happy about something in that last pic.

Just like climbin' the rope in gym class.

[scottutah]

I was at Wild Horse Window and saw some rock art inside the alcove. I haven't heard or seen any information about the art. I was wondering if anyone else has seen the rock art. I have pictures posted at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott-g/1096841399/

[asdf]

I have never heard of Rock art under the window... is it fake?

[Iceaxe]

FAKE!!!!

I've been to Wild Horse Window several times and climbed all over it.... those pictographs are new.

[KillEmAll]

I remember those days Scott. Little Wild Horse was the first canyon I ever did. I was probably only 9 or 10. It used to seem like a very remote and hidden place, but now everybody goes there. It's just a matter of time before they start installing parking meters at the trailhead.

I'm with you. I remember going to Goblin Valley and being the only person around. Not another soul in the whole park. Me and my dad "found" LWH by accident, and again, nobody around. Kinda sad because you know it'll never be quite the same. If only we grew up 30 years earlier. But then we wouldn't have great sites like uutah and climb-utah.

[coinslab]

Personally it doesn't mean it's fake, you could've missed them. Or you just don't want people to see them.
They look 100% real to me and it makes me mad when people say that stuff I have seen is fake when I think is real!

[asdf]

Fake

I just dont think that all the sites like Climb-Utah and canyoneeringusa.com are hiding or missed this "art" for the past 10+ years. Where are all the old timers to back this up.....


South Temple Wash as you know is one mile away photo by Bclee


Fakes under Wild Horse Window photo by DesertwoodRat

[coinslab]

I agree those are fake they are done with Shale. But in the canyon next to it has some rock art.

[Iceaxe]

Personally it doesn't mean it's fake, you could've missed them. Or you just don't want people to see them.

Yeah.... that's it.....

[coinslab]

I was kidding its obviously fake