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04-21-2008, 05:26 PM #1
Need Info: Northern San Rafael Swell
We're planning an overnight backpack in the northern San Rafael Swell in 2 weeks and I'd like to solicit the group's advice. I'll be heading down with two buddies and my wife, who's never backpacked before.
Requirements:
1. Reliable water. We've got filters, and prefer to travel light.
2. Easy. It's important to make this a pleasurable experience for my wife. She's no outdoors goddess, but I'm working on it.
3. Scenic.
4. Secluded. I don't like seeing anyone else until I get back to the truck.
5. A reasonable drive from SLC. We'd be heading down Saturday morning and coming back Sunday night, so we'd have to keep it somewhat close to home.
One idea I've got is to head west on a dirt road my map shows just south of the San Rafael Bridge on CR 332 (the Buckhorn Wash Road) at Road Draw. It appears to end after a couple of miles, which is where I'd plan to park. I'd then like to follow the river for a few miles further west into the floor of the Little Grand Canyon to camp near the river southeast of the Wedge Overlook. I've posted a topo below.
Questions:
1. Is that road heading west into Road Draw passable for a 4X4? It isn't gated, is it?
2. What about the proposed hiking route? Are there any spots along the south bank of the river where the river washes against the cliff in a bed, making dry navigation difficult?
3. What are the flows like right now?
4. Any other spots likely to be impassable on foot, like Cane Wash?
5. Am I likely to see others in there?
6. Is there anything of historical significance that we'll see in there?
I'm also very open to other destinations in the area.
Looking forward to reading the replies!----
First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine
http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/
Utah Ski & Snowboard:
http://www.UtahSkiAndSnowboard.com/
http://www.UTskiing.com/
http://www.UtahSkiingOnline.com/
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04-21-2008 05:26 PM # ADS
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04-21-2008, 09:39 PM #2
Re: Need Info: Northern San Rafael Swell
Originally Posted by FirstTracks
Originally Posted by FirstTracks
Originally Posted by FirstTracks
Originally Posted by FirstTracks
Originally Posted by FirstTracks
Originally Posted by FirstTracks
That looks like a really great hike, one I've been wanting to do for a couple of years, but the whole river crossing thing has deterred me so far. Plus, I'm not much of a backpacker, but more into day hikes. If you go, let us know how it goes.
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04-22-2008, 05:44 AM #3
Re: Need Info: Northern San Rafael Swell
Originally Posted by Udink
I'm kind of bummed, though, about your comments regarding crowds. Any better ideas out there for a destination?
Originally Posted by Udink----
First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine
http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/
Utah Ski & Snowboard:
http://www.UtahSkiAndSnowboard.com/
http://www.UTskiing.com/
http://www.UtahSkiingOnline.com/
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04-22-2008, 06:12 AM #4
Wow Udink! Nice response.
"My heart shall cry out for Moab..." Isaiah 15:5
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04-22-2008, 06:23 AM #5Originally Posted by DiscGo----
First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine
http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/
Utah Ski & Snowboard:
http://www.UtahSkiAndSnowboard.com/
http://www.UTskiing.com/
http://www.UtahSkiingOnline.com/
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04-24-2008, 05:55 PM #6
i second discgo, thanks udink!
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05-11-2008, 09:02 AM #7
TR: San Rafael Gorge
Better late than never, eh?
I'll let the photos do the talking. As planned buddy Todd and I went last weekend to the Little Grand Canyon within the northern part of the San Rafael Swell. I've geotagged a bunch of the photos and added them to Google Earth in the attached file.
Our trailhead parking just west of the San Rafael Bridge had only two other cars parked there upon our arrival mid-morning on Saturday, and there was only one other vehicle there when we left at mid-day on Sunday. On Saturday we encountered only two parties of day hikers (two each, and both were not far into the canyon), plus the pictured pair of canoeists floating downstream past our camp. On Sunday we only encountered one overnight party of two hikers who passed our camp heading downcanyon as we were breaking camp ourselves, and one pair of dayhikers heading in as we were heading out.
That's it.----
First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine
http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/
Utah Ski & Snowboard:
http://www.UtahSkiAndSnowboard.com/
http://www.UTskiing.com/
http://www.UtahSkiingOnline.com/
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05-14-2008, 08:53 PM #8
Why don't you just get in the truck and go? Explore. Figure it out as you go. Forget what the dweebs on here say, discover it for yourself.
HT
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05-15-2008, 09:07 AM #9Originally Posted by HtoadThe man thong is wrong.
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05-18-2008, 09:53 AM #10
The pics did tell the story, looks like a great time!
We were down there the same weekend, camping on the opposite side of the bridge (couple miles east on the Mexican Mtn Rd). We ended up hiking atop Calf Mesa.
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05-18-2008, 09:32 PM #11Originally Posted by ExpUt
Did you post pics? I'd love to see that corner of the Swell.----
First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine
http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/
Utah Ski & Snowboard:
http://www.UtahSkiAndSnowboard.com/
http://www.UTskiing.com/
http://www.UtahSkiingOnline.com/
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