San Rafael Swell, UT Weekend Run

[Moody]

After much cabin fever, my brother in law Kevin and I decided that instead of hiking Grizzly Gulch (across from Alta Ski Resort) and spending the night up there, we would go South into the Swell. It is only a few short hours from our places, so we thought this might be a better, and less crowded area to spend some time outside.
The 'Wedge' aka Little Grand Canyon:

We took my wife's rig, and we had to find some wood:

The camp spot:

Quick stop at the Buckhorn Wash Pictographs:

 

[Moody]

More:

 

[Moody]

And a few more:

 

[Saline]

Nice pics! I've gotta get out there. I drove through the Swell a couple of hrs ago at sunset. Friggin outstanding, I could barely stay on the road!!

 

[Skylinerider]

Nice pics Moody. I need to head down there one of these days, I'm going stir crazy lately.

 

[kcowyo]

Looks cold.... and fun.

The view from the 'Wedge' is awesome. Sweet pics. So why the Pathy?

:beer:

 

[Moody]

So why the Pathy?

:beer:

Eh, just because...I haven't ever really used it off road, and we figured out what we were doing at the last minute and my rig was low on gas, so I decided that I would give it a try. It worked out well. It has gobs of power, uses half the gas my cruiser does, and we both just pretty much brought out backpacking equipment, so we didn't need the room.

We made friends with who we dubbed "Sheriff Bill" upon getting out there. We stopped at one of the info. kiosks and he was there, pulled his police jeep up, and said, "Where are you looking to go?" We told him we were off to the Wedge and then to camp somewhere out there. He gave us a look of you are going to do what and said, "I have a lot of people coming out here and they are getting stuck. I have a Tacoma down the road that is stuck, and I was stuck out there and I have this thing (his Jeep) with the lockers front and rear." He went on to tell us (after repeatedly sizing up the Nissan) that he didn't want to have to come pull us out.
We parted ways after he gave us some ideas as to where it might not be too muddy to camp, and we were on our way.

The next morning, we went back up to the overlook, and just as we jumped in the rig, we heard a car coming. I commented to Kevin, "It is probably Sherriff Bill!" Sure enough, I had fired up the engine, and there he was. We chatted for a minute, and he told us, "Don'ttell anyone about us down here."
I think his initial impression of us was that we were going to be 'the guys' that makes his weekend long, pulling an ill equipped car out of a snowbank. I then believe after we had spoken, he realized we weren't going to go do anything to get ourselves into trouble.

Really, the roads out there weren't bad at all. some snow covered, and some icy, but the majority was nice and clear, some places a bit of dust was even kicking up behind us...I drove out in 2wd.

 

[Brett M]

Looks like an awesome time down there. I need to get out soon, I'm going stir crazy with having been in the city the past couple months!

It's always good to see the panels clean. I still remember seeing them 15+ years ago covered in graffiti and paint. Love it!

 

[Willman]

Great trip Moody!

Looks cold!

I too am getting cabin fever!!!

Come on spring!!!!!


:violent-smiley-031:

 

[Moody]

Come on spring!!!!!


:violent-smiley-031:

I am SO ready for Spring....I was sad to come outside and have snow again...

I want to drive that road again...it goes all the way to I-70.

 

[pismo62]

Nice chilly trip. Tent camping in the snow, reminds me of the days in Boy Scouts. Coldest night of my life, with my 20$ Big-5 sleeping bag. Looks like you guys had a great time. :26_7_2: