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| San Rafael Swell Part 1, UT | | -
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| | San Rafael Swell Part 1, UT | | | |
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San Rafael Swell Part 1, UT
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| no partners | | Had a canyon to do but with a rainy forecast, decided on a filler hike/ drive to an old mine in the area, then hopefully with clearing weather backpack the canyon which had several slot sections. The short road drive in was surprisingly bad, and after bumping the Toyota along, parked at a good car camp spot, and decided to walk the 4wd/ ATV road. Not my favorite, but it was during the week so no traffic and I wanted the exercise. The day was gloomy going to the mine, windy and cool, sunnier coming back. The mine area historic, opened in the late 1800's, and the BLM had sealed off the adits and stabelized some things. The old cabins were in varying states of decay. Colorful ore remnants, and plenty of copper indications in the base rock layer. Some really crazy rock formations maybe indicating some old hot springs. Walking back had some of the Swells' feral horses run across in front of me. They stopped to graze but was in an open area so sneaking up on them out of the question. Used the zoom so pics not so sharp.
The weather was improving so the next day the short walk to get into the canyon. The pour over at the start of the slot was pretty high but got down in, did rope the pack in as the slickrock was pretty steep but ok with sticky shoes, but if you slid no handholds and a rocky landing. The slot started off nice and narrow, with a lot of left over flood debris, like walking on a sponge. Soon the canyon opened up so slogging along with colorful walls and some rock hopping. A few pot holes then shallow narrows began, got somewhat deeper and quite long. Would not want to be in here with a rainy forecast.
Once again opened up. My destination was a spring area, but I got kinda bored when the walls lowered and it was wider, big slickrock hallway walking. Located a camp area near a pothole, the water was nice and clear for cooking.
Good night, cool, then a short sidecanyon explore then out the same way.
A nice backpack, one I probably won't repeat, but an area I can check off my list to explore. |
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