San Rafael Swell Trip 11-3 to 11-14-09

[ttora4runner]

On Friday the 13th I head out to the San Rafael Swell for a trip put together by Cruiseroutfitters (Kurt) consisting of members from the Wasatch Cruisers and ExpeditionUtah. This would be the first group camping trip that I had attended of this size in awhile.

The plan was too leave Bountiful too meet up with another group to caravan down to camp before it got dark. Unfortunately, there was a 8 car pile-up on S.B I-15 that caused some major delays. Fortunately, I had been monitoring my CB (don't know if this was a no-no)listening to truck drivers directing each other on how to get accident.

Ultimately, this put us a little behind schedule due to the detour. Despite this incident the rest of the drive down to camp location was mostly uneventful. Despite getting lost/confused as to where the group was camping at for the night. We did eventually find them at the first location we had originally stopped and where able to set up camp for the night.

A view of the Swell from camp on Saturday morning:

The wind coming up and out of the canyon made it very chilli.

Group shot prior to leaving camp:

Heading out to the MK (Morrison Knudsen) Tunnels:

Morrison Knudsen Tunnel site. Due to vandalism and some vulgar language and images that have been sprayed painted in and around the tunnel. I will not post the photo's on this site.

Group heading down to the tunnel.

View of the canyon just opposite of the canyon:

 

[ttora4runner]

After the MK Tunnels the next stop wash the Mat Warner signature located down Buckhorn Wash and then on down to Buckhorn Wash Pictograph site:

Mat Warner's Signature

Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel

The San Rafael Swell bridge was the next stop on this trip:

Heading out to Black Dragon Canyon turnoff.

 

[ttora4runner]

The trail down to the Black Dragon Canyon Pictograph site was the first trail that required the use of four wheel drive. Portions of the trail had been reworked thanks to mother nature making a few sections of the trail quite interesting.

Gotta love the different layers of rock strata:

One of the obstacles along the trail.

The rock that the back passenger tire is sitting on claimed a few exhaust tips and bumpers due to approach and departure angle of this section of trail.

 

[ttora4runner]

Black Dragon Canyon Pictograph Panel and surrounding area:

Group shot:

Some interesting erosion taking place along the cliff wall.

After spending some time at the panel for lunch and exploring for some it was off to camp. The road out was less dramatic than the road expect for a wash crossing at the end of trail which was no problems.

The impending storm that was upon us as we traveled along the highway to camp

Camp for the night, just a little snowy:

 

[ttora4runner]

After about an hour or so the storm had died down and started to dissipate enough to allow the sun to come out and warm things up a little.

Sometime around 4pm I made the decision to go ahead and head back home for the night and opt out of the trail run the next day. Which I am now kicking myself for.

Heading on out

Another storm on the horizon

The rest of my photo's can be found here:
http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/wormholegamma/San Rafael Swell 11-15-09/

The drive back to Bountiful was pretty uneventful up until Price where I would reach another snow storm though the entire length of Spanish Fork Canyon. From then on out the roads where free and clear and I made a B-Line for home.

Overall, this was a great trip with some great scenery and good group of people. Hopefully, next year I'll be able to hit this area up again once it gets a little warmer for some more exploring.

Big thanks to Kurt for putting this trip together. :victory:


**On a side note I am not the most eloquent writer and I have difficulties putting my thoughts to paper. So apologize for the randomness of this write up.**

 

[vanderpooch]

:clapsmile SHWEEET!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Looks like a good time

 

[RU55ELL]

*jealous*

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great trip report Tearon. Glad you were able to make it out!

A few more winter trips and you'll be right at home freezing your butt off around the campfire. It hit 14* this morning

 

[ttora4runner]

Great trip report Tearon. Glad you were able to make it out!

A few more winter trips and you'll be right at home freezing your butt off around the campfire. It hit 14* this morning

Ya, that's a little cold. :campfire:

Did you all get anymore snow that night or on Sunday. How where the trail conditions on Sunday? I could see them being a little slick.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Ya, that's a little cold. :campfire:

Did you all get anymore snow that night or on Sunday. How where the trail conditions on Sunday? I could see them being a little slick.

Nope, it cleared up Saturday night and we had a slight breeze which cooled things down a bit. Sunday we packed up camp and headed to the Copper Globe Mine and then up Link Mesa. The sun was out and we were back in our hoodies :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Nice write up and I would totally love to see and photograph the Swell covered in a fresh blanket of snow!

Isnt this whole area just amazing!!

Thanks for bringing back a few memories of our recent trip

 

[ttora4runner]

Nice write up and I would totally love to see and photograph the Swell covered in a fresh blanket of snow!

Isnt this whole area just amazing!!

Thanks for bringing back a few memories of our recent trip

Glad I could bring back those memories.


Desert terrain with snow is great.

 

[Rot Box]

Great pics and writeup! It was good times that's for sure :coffeedrink:

 

[sami]

Good times fo sho!

Rather than post a new thread, i'll take the liberty of adding a few of my photos.

A look at some of the rigs