Plan B - San Rafael Swell, 11/23-11/25

[cruiseroutfit]

Why Plan B? Because as we arrived at the Canyonlands visitor center Friday morning to begin the White Rim Trail, we were greeted with 6" of snow :( . The rangers were not allowing anyone down for the day, and likely not tomorrow either. After a short discussion and 2M weather reports, the SR Swell was looking like the best option!

The visitors center parking lot
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20001%20(Medium).jpg

One member of our group had never been in the Swell, so we decided to show him some of the best spots. We started with Black Dragon Wash, ended for the evening on Jackass Flats at the end of the Swazey Leap Road. We hiked to the leap in the morning and packed up camp after returning. From there we traveled to the Swinging Bridge and onto the Buckhorn picto. panel. Our last stop for the day would be the Wedge, Utah's own "Little Grand Canyon", equally as impressive and far more secluded IMHO. There we said goodbye to the Russels. Their two young boys had been awesome on the trip thusfar, they decided not to jinx it with a cold night ahead ;). Richard and I set camp on the edge of the Wedge, what more could you ask for in life.

Black Dragon Wash
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20004%20(Medium).jpg

Black Dragon Wash
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20007%20(Medium).jpg

[cruiseroutfit]

The Wedge
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20033%20(Medium).jpg

The moon coming up over camp @ the Wedge
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Saturday was pretty much a "call it as it comes" day, zero plans. We decided to check out the Fuller Bottom river crossing, as it turns out we passed the Hayes clan along the way (good seeing you :cool:). After crossing the San Rafael River we explored the Sids Mountain Loop, I had always bypassed it, I'm wishing I hadn't all these times. The views it offers back into the Sids Mountain area are un-parralleled, worthy of the extra mileage on the trail.

Awoke to this:
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20040%20(Medium).jpg

View from Sids Mountain Loop
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20049%20(Medium).jpg

[cruiseroutfit]

From the intersection with the Fuller Bottom road, we decided to head down the northern portion of the Eagle Canyon access road. Maps and atlas's listed the canyon crossing as "impassable to full-size vehicles" or "cannot cross, washout". I wanted to see it for my own eyes after hearing it was potentially passable. I honestly hadn't planned to drive it in my Tacoma, rather attempt it in the Land Cruiser at a later day. Richard and I spent a couple hours hiking the washedout section, and eventually decided we would give it a try. We were both a bit aprehensive, I had my Trail Trailer in tow and Richards FJ62 is both diffs.

Natural Bridge enroute to Eagle Canyon
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20052%20(Medium).jpg

Eagle Canyon
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/content_images/photogallery/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07/SRS_2007%20062%20(Medium).jpg

Richard coming down a ledge
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Long story short we made it for the most part unscathed... a lot of spotting, some careful rock placement (not stacking ;)) and a bit of rocker damage (not mine ;)). As it turned out, the hardest obstacle ended up trying to get my Tacoma up a sand/rock hill at the end of the washout, my trailer was stuck on a rock ledge below while the Taco was in a deep sand pile, all amidst a 45 degree slope. I ended up taking a bit of a tug from Richard ahead of me. We were out! The rest of the trip was uneventful, a short jaunt to the intersection with the Moore Cutoff Road, and all pavement back to Sandy. Good times!

[cruiseroutfit]

Thats it for now... the rest of the details and trip report will be on my website sooner or later :D

[Willman]

Kurt.....your truck is coming along!!!

Were brothers!!! (black wheels, snorkel, ARB, and a trailer!)

Going to needs some details on your latest mods.....(tires, sus. wheels, etc..)

Looks like a great trip!!!

Keep the pictures coming!

:chowtime:

[Overland Hadley]

Thanks for the pictures.

[Desertdude]

Great stuff Kurt - Always like that area.

[kcowyo]

Another great write-up and set of photos. Love that 62.

I was down in Capitol Reef and Escalante the week before and the weather was great. Glad the snow decided to wait for you to show up. ;)

[IntrepidXJ]

Nice writeup and pictures. I really enjoyed the Swell when I was there this summer. I need to get back to do some more exploring :)

[bh4rnnr]

Kurt,

Glad you guys had a good time! Sure wish I was there, going to be putting my little trip off for a bit.... These pics should help me get through until I get out agian.

[cruiseroutfit]

Kurt,

Glad you guys had a good time! Sure wish I was there, going to be putting my little trip off for a bit.... These pics should help me get through until I get out agian.


I'll get you some more from this coming weekend too. Plan is to run Devils Racetrack & Eva Conover Road (North Fork and South Fork Coal Wash), up over Fix-It Pass to Buckhorn Wash, do the Mountain Dew trail near Buckhorn Reservoir and head home sometime Monday?

What time would you need to leave Denver to get to Green River by ~6pm Friday? :D

[bh4rnnr]

I'll get you some more from this coming weekend too. Plan is to run Devils Racetrack & Eva Conover Road (North Fork and South Fork Coal Wash), up over Fix-It Pass to Buckhorn Wash, do the Mountain Dew trail near Buckhorn Reservoir and head home sometime Monday?

What time would you need to leave Denver to get to Green River by ~6pm Friday? :D

Sure, rube it in.... At least your not telling me your going to explore Sids Mountain Cabin or somethin like that........ Yep, need to get the 4runner going again.

[DaveInDenver]

You're killin' me! Thanks for giving me a window to the outside world, great pictures.

[cruiseroutfit]

Sure, rube it in.... At least your not telling me your going to explore Sids Mountain Cabin or somethin like that........ Yep, need to get the 4runner going again.

I plan to hike to the cabin eventually... during better weather though. Its ~22miles round trip, thats a pretty long hike in the sun :D

[Willman]

Kurt.....gotta tell us more about your red truck!.....Can you say mod thread???

:jumping:

[cruiseroutfit]

Kurt.....gotta tell us more about your red truck!.....Can you say mod thread???

:jumping:

Mabey when its done... I have a shelf full of parts to install when I get some free-time :D Basic specs: 04' DC, SC'd, OME Suspension, ARB Front Bar, XD9000, Yaesu 2M & Cobra CB. Still have to install the Nat. Luna system, front ARB, gears, I've got a bit more fabbing to do on my rear bumper, fab skids, etc/

[Willman]

Mabey when its done... I have a shelf full of parts to install when I get some free-time :D

I see how you are.....:costumed-smiley-007

Let me know if you have any room on your next trip!

:26_7_2:

[bh4rnnr]

I plan to hike to the cabin eventually... during better weather though. Its ~22miles round trip, thats a pretty long hike in the sun :D

Hmm, maybe a trip is in order....... Maybe we can set a date in Feb around the campfire.

[cruiseroutfit]

Hmm, maybe a trip is in order....... Maybe we can set a date in Feb around the campfire.

Works for me... :sombrero:

[cruiseroutfit]

...Let me know if you have any room on your next trip!

:26_7_2:

Will do, it would be great to get out with you!

[cruiseroutfit]

Official Trip Report is done, figured I'd add it here :D
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Plan B - The San Rafael Swell
11/23 - 11/25/07
By Kurt Williams
(Last Updated 04/14/08)

http://www.expeditionutah.com/images/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07_Medium/SRS_2007%20001%20(Medium).jpg

Why Plan B? Well, I’ll get to that in a minute or two. The plans for the weekend were to run the acclaimed White Rim Trail in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. I was originally invited on the trip by a good friend Troy, as it later turns out Troy couldn’t make it and I was on my own. At this point I should have accepted defeat, but being so excited to run the WRT I continued my plans to run the trail. The National Park Service requires visitors to secure a permit if they desire to camp along the trail. The permits are $30 and allow only 3 vehicles and a maximum of 15 people per group. While this is a small group by most accounts, I was by myself at this point, so I could invite a few friends. I put the word out to the regulars, with the caveat that I must know pretty quickly if they would like to go. Without much hesitation Richard D. and the Russell’s were all over it. I sent the pair an email with all the trip details and rough itinerary; they seemed to be as charged with enthusiasm as I was for the trip. It was official! We were a couple days out at this point and everything was set for takeoff. We planned to leave in the early am hours on the Friday following Thanksgiving. Leaving the Salt Lake valley at 5:30 am would give us enough time to make it to the Canyonlands visitor center north of Moab by 9:30 am, when the visitor’s center opens.

Richard and his trusty FJ62 caught up to my one man Tacoma caravan as I traveled south on the Interstate towards Spanish Fork Canyon. We conversed about everything under the sun as we made the all too familiar drive over the canyon and into Price. Weather.com was looking pretty accurate at this moment, the sky was clear, the air was cool and it looked as if it was going to be a grand day in the desert. Doubts start amassing as we pulled off for gas in Green River. There were several cars in the gas station with snow laden undercarriages and remnants of slush still melting away on their dirty windshields. It was dry from here north to Salt Lake. Surely it didn’t come from the south? When a gal commented to Richard that it was a “blizzard” in Moab, as far north as the airport, we were in disbelief. Sure enough as soon as we hit the Canyonlands Field Airport things got crazy. Snow was falling in a fury as we turned up towards the visitor’s center I really started doubting our plans for the weekend. As we climbed the switchbacks on the highway, things went from bad to worse. The road was now essentially snowpack, and cars were pulling off the highway. As a Utah native the snowy road conditions didn’t have me discouraged, I actually like driving on the snowpack… however it was almost a sure guarantee that the Park Service was going to close the White Rim Trail.

http://www.expeditionutah.com/images/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07_Medium/SRS_2007%20023%20(Medium).jpg

We arrived at the visitor center greeted by 6" of snow on the ground. A jubilant ranger was shoveling snow on the porch, commenting on how rarely he gets to do so, “come to Salt Lake” I told him, he declined. Sure enough the rangers were not allowing anyone down the White Rim Trail for the day, and likely not tomorrow either. They had already closed the gate on the Shaffer switchbacks and wouldn’t reopen them until they had a chance to drive the trail to inspect conditions, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, no way to tell. Rock-falls and washouts are extremely common after this much moisture, and it could be days for the Park Service to get a tractor down the trail if such a repair was needed. It wasn’t looking good. As I sat in my truck waiting for Matt Russell to arrive, I tuned into the weather reports on the 2M radio for the greater Moab area. 50% chance of continued precipitation into the evening with lows in the teens and highs in the 30’s. It was time to start thinking of a Plan B. The San Rafael Swell weather broadcast was reporting cold weather, lows in the 20’s, highs in the 40’s, however no precipitation. Shortly thereafter Matt arrived in his FZJ80, accompanied by his wife Nancy and boys Hank and Si. They too were in utter disbelief of the weather; we updated them on the situation and starting discussing alternatives. We were a go, the San Rafael Swell would be our destination for the weekend and dammit we were going to have a good time. With that in mind, we were back on the road, this time chasing the clear sky along the northern horizon.

We again stopped for fuel in Green River, the same exact station we had been at just 3 hours earlier, the sad reality of a failed trip really sunk in at that point. No fear, we were confident we could salvage a trip out of the weekend. Onto the Swell we went. We entered the swell via Black Dragon Wash, within minutes of parting ways with the highway, we had the windows rolled down and were leisurely pacing our way up the canyon, stopping to enjoy pictographs and petroglyphs throughout the canyon. We reached Jackass Flats as the sun began to drop in the sky, with just an hour or so left of light we decided to hunt down a place to camp for the night. The Swazey Leap road looked like the perfect option, we could camp at the roads end and take the 2 mile hike out to the Leap in the morning. It lived up to its expectations; we made camp at the end of the road (beginning of the hiking trail) and enjoyed the evening around a campfire.

http://www.expeditionutah.com/images/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07_Medium/SRS_2007%20007%20(Medium).jpg

The entire group made the hike out to the Swazey Leap the next morning, stopping at an abandoned car along the once passable road. The Leap gained its name from the cowboys that used to run cattle in the area, one of the Swazey boys jumped the gap riding horseback, all over a bet amongst friends. Later a makeshift bridge was built across the gap in order to move cattle to the opposite side of the San Rafael River it hovers above. The bridge fell sometime ago, but the legend lives on. A worthy hike to break up the monotony of driving all day long, keep that in mind the next time you find yourself with a couple of spare hours along in the Jackass Benches. We retraced our steps to the vehicles, loaded the gear and retook the road heading west.

By the time we reached the Swinging Bridge, the final minutes of the annual BYU-Utah football game were counting down. We parked along the side of the road and listened to the game trickle away, the Ute’s had lost, a shame but life. We continued north towards Buckhorn Wash, stopping at the Buckhorn Pictograph for a quick gander. I’ve stopped there so many times in the past, but its one of those places you just can’t get enough of. Why did the Native Americans choose this exact spot? Who were they talking to? Where did they go? Questions we may never know, but we can’t help but ask. Oh, well back to the rigs. We were rolling by the seat of our pants at this point, no agenda, no schedule, just random exploring. What better to do than check out the Wedge.

http://www.expeditionutah.com/images/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07_Medium/SRS_2007%20040%20(Medium).jpg

We arrived to the Wedge overlook with a couple hours of daylight to spare. After taking a couple of pictures and throwing a couple of rocks, we made our goal finding a campsite for the night. It wasn’t extremely trying, we literally had every campsite in the area to choose from. We drove to the eastern most lookout along the ridge above the Wedge, just as the road cuts back north where we found a great spot perched right on the break of the canyon. The Russell’s were heading back to town for the night, they had some friends they wanted to visit and decided to part while they still had some light on their sides. Richard and I enjoyed a quiet camp on the edge, broken only by a couple of loud gun blasts that reverberated through the canyon for what seemed like minutes. We warmed ourselves by the fire into the night and eventually retired to our beds, bundled against the cold night’s air.

http://www.expeditionutah.com/images/Plan_B_SRSwell_Nov07_Medium/SRS_2007%20037%20(Medium).jpg

Our plans were still extremely fluid, basically the lack of a plan would describe it better. I hadn’t been through Fuller Bottom in sometime and Richard and I wanted to check out a route on the map that was noted with “Impassable to Full-Size Vehicle”. As we approached the San Rafael River a familiar vehicle came into view, it was the Land Cruiser of Ryan Hayes and family, an amazingly small world to run into them in the middle of a desert in the early winter. I must know cool people. We crossed the slow running river and decided to try a loop route I had never traveled. I don’t know an official name for it so I’ve dubbed it the Sids Mountain Loop, don’t like it… well it’s my trip report. It was scenic, offering un-parralled views into the depths of the Sids Mountain Wilderness area. I’ve long wanted to spend a couple of days hiking in the area, as it turns out this would likely be the best entry point for a trip in, in fact one could hike a good distance into the Wilderness area on an old road. What, a road into the Wilderness area? Sure, had me baffled too (imagine my eyes rolling here). There is a cabin up on top of the mesa somewhere in the area I would like to check out, one day I’ll strap on a pack and get there.

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The loop reconnected to the Fuller Bottom route just shy of its intersection with the Devils Racetrack and Eva Conover turnoff. We stayed to the west and continued towards our ultimate destination, the upper crossing of Eagle Canyon. We arrived at the abrupt edge of the canyon after a short stop at a somewhat obscure natural arch. Rather than immediately descend into the canyon with our rigs we thought it prudent to first hike down the canyon and explore what was deemed impassible by the BLM. The first quarter-mile of the canyon looked completely tame, a bit of careful spotting but overall very doable. From there the conditions got a bit on the nasty side, like a wedge that could be driven in anything short of a purpose built rock buggy I wasn’t about to try it in my Tacoma with trailer in tow. For giggles we decided to continue the hike down to the terminus of the other side of the canyon. Not knowing how far away it was, we just kept hiking. As the canyon essentially petered out into nothing, we figured we had missed the climb out. Where did it exit and how could we have missed it? Richard decided he would hike up on top of the canyon, while I stayed in the bottom, we would stay in visual contact from time to time, looking for a route that connected the two. Sure enough we had walked right past it. We were so enameled by the wedge obstacle that we missed the trail exiting right up the side of the canyon via a steep sandy hill with some small broken ledges at the bottom. It looked completely drivable, a bit tight and technical but doable.

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We retreated to the vehicles and began our voyage through the canyon. As planned we took extra time spotting through a trio of narrow sections, strewn with rocks and debris likely from the last big rainfall. With a little effort and a bit of bouncing off the sliders we had made it to the climb out. Richard gave it a go first, with a bit of wheel speed and momentum he bounced up the ledges and climbed right up the sand hill. I wasn’t so lucky… my trailer was acting as an anchor. The wheelbase was perfectly wrong. All four tires of my Tacoma were in the sand, while my trailer tires were still negotiating a ledge behind me, I could back up and “bump” it, but I would just stop dead in my tracks as my trailer hit the 12” ledge. The day was getting long and we opted for a strap up to Richards Cruiser, with a bit of help and a cloud of dust I was up and out. Mission complete! From the canyons edge the trail meanders for several miles before intersecting with the Moore Cutoff Road.

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The remainder of our voyage consisted of a high-speed jaunt over the Moore Cutoff Road and over to Moore where we finally hit pavement again. Richard and I fueled up the tanks in Ferron and b-lined it directly home, just in time for dinner with my wife. Never a dull moment!

(Note Regarding the Eagle Canyon Crossing: I spoke with a BLM official both before and after the trip regarding the crossing. It has been on my “to-do list” for quite some time and I’ve wanted to make sure it was even legal. According to the BLM it is completely legal to travel (indicated as such on both sides of the section). However they list is as such because a stock 4x4 could not likely pass though. I agree with their decision and reasoning.)


Full Gallery of Photos Here:
http://www.expeditionutah.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1444