Having missed camping on the birthday, it was fun to head out for an unplanned birthday (post) weekend. As the birthday week progressed and the job situation changed, giving me some unexpected down time, I couldn’t pass on a trip out west to the Swell. Fun to know we’ve been exploring the Swell for some fifteen years now.
The Swell or the “San Rafael Swell” is a great stretch of desert west of Green River, UT, with I-70 cutting through the middle of it.
Views from camp Saturday morning.
Always nice to see snow out in the desert.
Looking back towards camp.
A snowy camp.
The sinkhole.
Some good morning light on the cliffs above Black Dragon Canyon.
I-70 cutting through the San Rafael Reef.
Low clouds.
Cruising along the north eastern end of the San Rafael Reef.
Exploring a seldom traveled designated route, close to the reefs edge.
Morning views.
Daniel B Markofsky.
Some old uranium mines along the road.
Views of the San Rafael Reef.
More mines.
Love this 3rd gen.
Further along, heading towards Smith’s Cabin.
Daniel enjoying some Turkish Coffee.
A few buildings are still standing at Smith’s Cabin. Wayne and Betty Smith settled at this location, close to a natural spring after being married in 1933.
Exploring the coral behind the cabin.
Need to come back and hike Cottonwood Wash.
Along a seldom traveled section of road along the old grade of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). This section was a bit washed out.
Repairing some of the washed out road. Photo credit: Daniel B Markofsky
Of course it doesn’t look as steep in the pics..
The road was very seldom traveled at times, making us get out of the vehicles and look for it on a few occasions..
Some good views. though:).
Another section of grade for the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad. D&RGW moved ahead with this project in 1881, though it was never completed. A good amount of work had been completed on the grade ( grade, culverts, bridges etc), that are still visible today.
Old culvert.
We headed to the Wedge overlook on our way back to camp. On a previous visit, we spotted some newly weds getting there photos taken at the overlook. As we drove up to the parking area, I made the comment wondering if we’d see another couple getting their wedding photos taken. Sure enough, as we parked, a bride was running to the car in her wedding dress. Always good views at the Wedge overlook- Utah’s “Little Grand Canyonâ€.
San Rafael River far below.
Two stops are always a must when driving through Buckhorn Wash. The first, of Matt Warner’s signature. An Outlaw turned Justice of the peace for Price, UT. Friends with Butch Cassidy during there time in Telluride, they would end up robbing the San Miguel Valley Bank in June of 1889.
The second stop was at the Buckhorn Wash Rock art panel. An impressive display from the Barrier Canyon and Fremont style rock art. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the rock art panel, daylight was fading fast. Only managed to get a few from the phone. Still, well worth the visit.
End.