TR: San Rafael Swell (Temple Mountain area)

[BruteForce]

Friends and family caravaned out to the Swell late Friday night. We left home around 4:30pm, but didn't get a camp spot situated until after midnight.

We wound up camping in the exact spot where we've now camped two other times. A perfect location right in a small canyon, sitting in a dry wash (glad there was no rain forecast).

Some of our group went out in search of slot canyons while the rest of us went on to explore the trails around Temple Mountain, little Wild Horse and other locations within 50 miles of Temple Mountain (and that permitted motorized vehicles).

A few photos:


















On the way back, the wife got into an argument with the onboard navigation system, decided it was wrong and took us back (the long way) through Loa/Price. I'm pretty sure we passed Udink's house after she then missed the Salt Lake City turn (in Price) and put us about 1-2 miles East of the train tracks. While everyone else made it home by 8pm, we didn't get home until almost 10pm.

[asdf]

Great TR Brute, Looks like a great time to be down south. Were there many people in the area and why did it take 7+ to get down there and set up?

[BruteForce]

Great TR Brute, Looks like a great time to be down south. Were there many people in the area and why did it take 7+ to get down there and set up?

Fairly packed. Almost no people on machines. Most people were just hiking and tenting.

Those that we saw on vehicles were in Land Rovers and Jeeps. It almost seemed as though we were the only folks on 4wheelers/bikes.

Our RV's, being heavily packed were making slow time through some of the mountain passes. At some locations, we were only going 30-40mph. Usually from our homes in Draper/S. Jordan, its a ~4 hour drive - but it sure took longer this go around!

[BruteForce]

As a side note, the mornings were in the low 50's, while day time temps were high 80's. It got fairly chilly once the sun went down.

In a few locations, the normally dry creek beds still had standing water. Muddy Creek is also running fairly well too.

Next time we go out, we're going to try to find a route to the top of Temple Mountain. There must be one, because we saw many old car wrecks that appeared to have driven off the top.

[asdf]

As a side note, the mornings were in the low 50's, while day time temps were high 80's. It got fairly chilly once the sun went down.

In a few locations, the normally dry creek beds still had standing water. Muddy Creek is also running fairly well too.

Did you drive to the Grand Gorge/Hidden Splendor?

[BruteForce]

As a side note, the mornings were in the low 50's, while day time temps were high 80's. It got fairly chilly once the sun went down.

In a few locations, the normally dry creek beds still had standing water. Muddy Creek is also running fairly well too.

Did you drive to the Grand Gorge/Hidden Splendor?

No idea. We went along "behind the reef", "lil' Wild Horse", "Temple Mountain", behind Goblin Valley (all the way to SR 24). On Saturday, we rode 70 miles.

My SPOT tracks are:

http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view/?trip_id=178413

[Udink]

Nice report, it looks like you had a good time. The ledges in that wash look like a lot of fun!

[accadacca]

Good stuff!

[James_B_Wads2000]

Next time we go out, we're going to try to find a route to the top of Temple Mountain. There must be one, because we saw many old car wrecks that appeared to have driven off the top.

I remember reading in on of my hiking books that the route to the top of Temple involved a sketchy climb/scramble. I don’t think there are drivable routes to the top. There are some old roads that do go up pretty far (the old half-track comes to mind). Maybe the cars fell from those high roads?

Did you drive to the Grand Gorge/Hidden Splendor?

No idea. We went along "behind the reef", "lil' Wild Horse", "Temple Mountain"

Grand Gorge/Hidden Splendor is on the upstream side where the Muddy River cuts through the San Rafael Reef. In theory the Behind the Reef road will get you there from where you turn of the main road at Temple Mountain. I hiked the behind the reef road from Cistern to Ramp Canyon. I was a pretty jacked up hiking trail in ’01. I have seen bikes and quads out as far as Ding and Dang coming from Temple Mountain, but I don’t know if the Hidden Splendor end is passable by machine.




James

[BruteForce]

[
I remember reading in on of my hiking books that the route to the top of Temple involved a sketchy climb/scramble. I don’t think there are drivable routes to the top. There are some old roads that do go up pretty far (the old half-track comes to mind). Maybe the cars fell from those high roads?

**Everything ** out there is passable by quads. Many of the trails we rode this past weekend were washed out and buried in rocks/debris -- but it didn't stop us. Two winches and a tow hook allows you to get just about anywhere. After that, its about legalities.

Of course, we stayed only on motorized approved routes, but we saw tracks going through Muddy Creek - which was clearly marked as a non-motorized route past the creek. Didn't seem to stop a few 4Runners and some motorcycles).

[accadacca]

**Everything ** out there is passable by quads.

Giddy up!!

[RedMan]

Nice report Brute Force.

Here is a video I made in Temple wash some years ago.
Thanks to youtube switching music on it I can't stand it anymore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QngTrDc7ET8

I had one for Behind the reef trail but its gone for some reason.

Behind the Reef continues a long way past where you turned and turns into a fast road looping back to yuo starting pooint when you get to Hidden Splendor mine. A great ride.