Fuller's Bottom - San Rafael Swell 4/21/2012 to 4/22/1012

[reverse_dyno]

There was still a lot of snow in the mountains, so I decided to head down to the Swell of a few days. My original plan was to cross the San Rafael river at Fuller's Bottom and head into Saddle Horse Canyon, but the Fuller's Bottom river crossing was too much for my Xterra. Maybe a jacked up Jeep could do it.


South side of river crossing looking North



South side of river crossing looking South. That river bank is steep!

Instead we car camped at a large turnout .25 miles North of the crossing. Horse riding appears to be very popular in the area as both days there were people at the pullout with horses.

From the pullout it is a 2 hour hike to reach North Salt Wash. The trail follows the San Rafael river and there is no way to avoid wading. The river wasn't high, but it was still over the boot tops.





The trail continued into North Salt Wash. We followed it until it split, which was right before Saddle Horse Canyon enters the Wash. The right hand path continued up the canyon where the left hand path headed up and out of the canyon towards Sids Cabin. The trail is marked on the National Geographic San Rafael Swell map, but not on the USGS quad. There was some water in the Wash, but it was below the boot tops.


Rock island in North Salt Wash where the trail splits.

The next day we followed the trail along the river again and headed up to Virgin Spring. We only went a little way in. It is 1 hour 40 minutes past the intersection with North Salt Wash. About 5 minutes into the Canyon you come to a set of nice pictographs. There was a little water in the canyon and it was easy to avoid walking in it.

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You would have no problem filling your water bottles in North Salt Wash or Virgin Spring. The trails were mostly sand and overgrown in some places. Tennis shoes or Keen sandals would work for these hikes.

[accadacca]

Very cool!

Looks awesome down there.

[Sandstone Addiction]

Beautiful area and photos, thanks for sharing.

[hikster11]

I came to this same spot last year and attempted to cross. The water was running fast. I have a lifted jeep with 35 in tires. I could not see my tires after only about 10 ft in. Decide it wasn’t a good idea to keep going. From your picture it looks totally different than when I saw it. It is a lot deeper than I thought

[oldno7]

Nice Tr, incredible Picto Panel, thanks for sharing.

[Painted Horse]

Here is a view from up on one of the buttes looking out across Saddle Horse from the West side


We had come in from Ferron on the west and rode up McCarty to the look out over Saddle Horse Canyon

[Udink]

Nice! I've done bits and pieces of North Salt Wash, Saddle Horse Canyon, and the San Rafael River below Fuller Bottom, but never like that all at once. There are a couple of nice petroglyph panels in North Salt Wash that it looks like you walked past or were close to. I always avoid the Fuller Bottom crossing and come in from Ferron. The road is a little rough toward the end, but most HC 2WDs can make it and you can park right on the rim of North Salt Wash. Great report, man!

[Magic_Hour]

Great TR and nice photos!