Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 24, 2007 at 8:33 PM
I'm taking my boys to the San Rafael Swell area next weekend. I'm thinking about hitting Goblin Valley state park and little wildhorse canyon. We may also hike horseshoe canyon again if time permits.
I've been to other parts of the swell but I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. If anyone has favorite locations, roads, campsites, etc I'd love to hear about them. If you have recommendations for sunrise/sunset that's great too.
I think the flowers should be starting to come out. Les, when was your cover shot taken?
Hi Kalin,
The boys will love Goblin Valley. If you make a stop at the Best Western in Green River, they have copies of the free San Rafael Guide, which has a bunch of great tour descriptions. We recently visited the Black Dragon petroglyph site just north of I-70 and a couple miles (?) past the Hanksville turnoff. Good stuff...
Kalin, to get some of the best scenery of the southern Swell, drive in from Temple Mountain road (same road that takes you from Highway 24 to Goblin Valley, except keep going straight intsead of turning left). The road will turn to dirt soon after the intersection. Immediately to your right will be some pictographs.
Keep driving this road and veer left at the next couple of intersections until you see a sign pointing to Red's Canyon loop. Turn left here and just follow the road. The scenery is excellent along this route and it will take you all the way down to a nice cottonwood grove along the Muddy Creek which is a great place to camp. On the way back you can complete the loop by heading up towards McKay Flat which will take you back to the road you came from.
Along the way back you may also want to make a side trip to Hidden Splendor (it will be a right turn with a small sign pointing to it).
Make sure to bring plenty of food and water and you may also want to grab a copy of the Trails Illustrated map of the San Rafael Swell to get your bearings.
Guy
Posted by Grant Collier on March 25, 2007 at 11:12 PM
I was through this area a couple of days ago. While there's some flowers in other parts of Utah, I didn't see any flowers around Factory Butte. Some years, the flowers can be spectacular around there. So either it's still early or there may not be many this year.
Kalin,
I can't really give too much more advice for the area, but just wanted to let you know I'll be out there next weekend also!! Taking off Thursday night after work, camping near Colorado Nat Monument that night, and hopefully hiking Little Wild Horse canyon on Friday, most likely shooting sunset at Goblin Valley. If time allows, I want to get back on the Temple Mountain road that Guy mentioned. Only been back there once, and it was awesome! Saturday we're off south towards Escalante, and the Hole in the Rock road.
We'll be in my friend Jerry's silver Tundra. Have fun!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 26, 2007 at 8:42 AM
Thanks guys! Great suggestions. Hope the flower situation changes but you take what you get!
Brent, I think we're going to leave Wed night or Thur morning. I have a jury summons for tomorrow, hopefully I'm not needed or plans may change. We'll be in a white 4Runner.
Discussion
5 repliesI've been to other parts of the swell but I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. If anyone has favorite locations, roads, campsites, etc I'd love to hear about them. If you have recommendations for sunrise/sunset that's great too.
I think the flowers should be starting to come out. Les, when was your cover shot taken?
Thanks in advance, everyone!
~ Kalin
The boys will love Goblin Valley. If you make a stop at the Best Western in Green River, they have copies of the free San Rafael Guide, which has a bunch of great tour descriptions. We recently visited the Black Dragon petroglyph site just north of I-70 and a couple miles (?) past the Hanksville turnoff. Good stuff...
Ken
Keep driving this road and veer left at the next couple of intersections until you see a sign pointing to Red's Canyon loop. Turn left here and just follow the road. The scenery is excellent along this route and it will take you all the way down to a nice cottonwood grove along the Muddy Creek which is a great place to camp. On the way back you can complete the loop by heading up towards McKay Flat which will take you back to the road you came from.
Along the way back you may also want to make a side trip to Hidden Splendor (it will be a right turn with a small sign pointing to it).
Make sure to bring plenty of food and water and you may also want to grab a copy of the Trails Illustrated map of the San Rafael Swell to get your bearings.
Guy
I can't really give too much more advice for the area, but just wanted to let you know I'll be out there next weekend also!! Taking off Thursday night after work, camping near Colorado Nat Monument that night, and hopefully hiking Little Wild Horse canyon on Friday, most likely shooting sunset at Goblin Valley. If time allows, I want to get back on the Temple Mountain road that Guy mentioned. Only been back there once, and it was awesome! Saturday we're off south towards Escalante, and the Hole in the Rock road.
We'll be in my friend Jerry's silver Tundra. Have fun!
I've been orienting myself on the Trails Illustrated map and the slot canyons of the southwest site http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/san_rafael_swell/index.html. It looks like there area a lot of nice areas.
Brent, I think we're going to leave Wed night or Thur morning. I have a jury summons for tomorrow, hopefully I'm not needed or plans may change. We'll be in a white 4Runner.
Thanks!