The Muddy Creek cutting through the south end of the San Rafael Reef.

THE SAN RAFAEL SWELL
Rugged, desolate, dry, hot, wild. One of those corners of the world lost to civilization, and recently discovered for on-foot and ATV recreation. This is the kind of area that has little appeal to those who are not charmed by the desert. Oases of human-friendly environments are few and far between. There are a few charming little hikes, but the adventures tend to be fairly hard-core.

Once you get to know it, the Swell is a great place. An extensive network of dirt roads, built by prospectors and miners in the 1950s, provides pretty reasonable access. During the Spring, Fall and Winter, the weather can be pleasant, and there are a wide variety of canyons to check out. During the summer, the sun is unrelenting, and the choice of survivable adventures is few.

The eastern edge of the Swell is sharply defined by the San Rafael Reef - a Navajo and Wingate sandstone bluff that rises out of the desert for 50 miles from near Price almost to Hanksville. Behind the Reef is the center of the Swell - an area dominated by flat layers of Coconino Sandstone, canyons cut into the rock, and bluffs that stand above the terrain.

The western edge of the Swell is more complex. In the north, the terrain gently descends west and becomes less rugged as the Swell fades into the agricultural Castledale valley. South of I-70, the west edge of the Swell is dominated by Muddy Creek, which cuts a deep canyon, and a steep escarpment that rises west above the Muddy to the Mussentuchit Flats - a high, flat plateau. At the south end of the Swell, the Reef bends around and merges into the escarpment above the Muddy, becoming the Moroni Slopes. Interstate 70 cuts East to West across the center of the Swell, dividing the Northern and Southern section.

Technical Canyoneering in the Swell is practiced using a No-Bolt Ethic. The rock is highly featured and yields easily to no-bolt techniques, so hone your skills and keep that bolt kit buried in the pack. Even the most difficult canyons on the Moroni Slope have been descended many times with zero bolts.

Unfortunately, bolts have been placed in the Swell by many parties. Some I placed myself, before being enrolled in the no-bolt ethic. Canyoneers should be extremely wary of all fixed anchors, as the rock is extremely weak. Even long-established chockstone anchors should be treated with caution. Since many of the technical canyons have appeared in Mr. Kelsey's guidebook, visitors with only modest natural anchoring skills (or who have not yet "seen the light" and joined the no-bolt ethic) have placed quite a few bolts in otherwise natural-only canyons. While pulling these bolts is probably not a good idea, you and yours are requested to avoid adding more bolts.

Special Considerations

The Swell is a serious and demanding place. There are no trail signs, established trailheads, campgrounds or reliable water sources (with the exception of Goblin Valley State Park). You are on your own. Rescue and assistance are far away. Bring plenty of water. Do things within your competence.

Adventures in the Swell are divided into eight sections: the Northern Swell, well north of I-70; the Central Swell, those areas accessed from I-70; the Northern Reef - the reef north of I-70; the Eastern - accessed by the Goblin Valley Road; the Southern Reef, accessed from Hidden Splendor; the South-Central Swell; the Tomsich Butte area; and the Moroni Slopes.

 

Northern Swell (Nothing Yet)   Northern Reef Box & Double Arch Canyons Family Walk     1A II Box & Double Arch Canyons Reef Walk     III Class 4   Central Swell Forgotten Canyon     3A III (5.4) Reid Nielson Draw to Crawford Draw     2A (or B) I or II Upper Straight Wash     2A III Eardley Canyon     3B V

Wild Horse Canyon in front of the Reef.

Ding Canyon

Eastern Reef Lower Straight Wash     1A II Eardley Canyon Technical Dayhike     3B III (5.4) Farnsworth Canyon Stroll     1A II Farnsworth Canyon & 3 Hidden Arches     2A III Farnsworth Canyon, 3 Hidden Arches and Jug Handle Arch Rap Route     3A III Wild Horse Canyon and Skylight Arch     2A II Wild Horse Canyon Through Hike     1A II-III Crack Canyon     2A II-III Chute Canyon     1A II-III Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyons     2A II-III Ding and Dang Canyons     2A II-III (5.4)   South Central Swell Upper Chute Canyon     3B IV (5.4R) Baptist Draw to Upper Chute Canyon     3A III

Southern Reef Quandary Canyon     3B III Quandary Canyon Direct     4B III Knotted Rope Canyon, 3 Ways     3B III Grand Gorge of Muddy Creek     2B II Mud Canyon     2A II-III Music Canyon     3A III   Tomsich Butte Area Penitentiary Canyon     2A II-III   Moroni Slopes Lower Squeeze from Muddy Creek aka North Fork Seger's Hole Canyon     4B IV Seger's Window Canyon from Muddy Creek aka South Fork Seger's Hole Canyon     3B 5.4 IV   Bonus - Robbers Roost Area Bluejohn Canyon East/Main Loop     3B III 5.8

Resources

	Desert Highlights is a guide service working out of Moab that offers an extensive array of interesting trips in The Swell and in the Moab area. 800-747-1342
	Ray's Tavern, in the center of Green River, offers burgers and beers with a little local color. Boaters welcome.
	Robbers Roost Motel, 225 W Main, Green River 801-564-3452 An inexpensive, locally owned motel.
	USGS Utah Stream Flow Data - Real-time river flows in Utah:   Muddy Creek near Emery   San Rafael River near Green River