We just got back from an amazing time in Utah. We started our trip exploring some of the San Rafael Swell just north and south of I70. Because this area is so popular with ATVs we haven't spent time there but we were able to find some quieter places mid week.
Our first stop was Head of Sinbad, just north of I70. Two beautiful Barrier Canyon Style panels on a long cliff face.
We crossed back under I70 looking for a place to camp and saw signs for Lone Warrior panel which we visited before looking for a place to camp.
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| Crossing under I70 on the dirt roads in the Swell |
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| Lone Warrior |
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| Our first campsite |
The next morning we explored Swasey Cabin built in 1921 by Joe Swasey who grazed livestock in the area.
After hiking a bit of Lone Eagle Canyon we drove further west on I70 to the town of Ferron to look for more rock art. After some searching we stopped in at the Forest Service office for some directions. With their help we found the road we wanted but it was too steep and rough for the camper. We set off on foot and after a few wrong turns found Ferron Box. The area around the bend in Ferron Creek had some unusual Fremont images as well as a few Barrier Style panels.
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| Looks flat here but most was hilly and rough. |
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| Rock art on the cliffs above Ferron Creek |
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| Unusual Fremont Panel high on the cliff |
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Not everyone makes it out of here!
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Later we stopped in Castle Dale UT for gas and a small museum with a wonderful collection of artifacts many of which had been donated by locals. The Museum of the San Rafael was an interesting stop.
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| The museum logo is the Head of Sinbad panel |
We stopped at a few other places in the Swell and then it was time to drive to Horseshoe Canyon. We had volunteered there last year but because I twisted my knee Bruce did the daily canyon hikes. This year I would join him in the hikes, answering questions from visitors and leading a guided walk.
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| A section of the Great Gallery |
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| Filming a documentary |
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| Part of our daily hike |
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| At the gate into the canyon |
We hiked a total of 50 miles during our week with an elevation gain and loss of 5,250 ft. It was worth it. We had an exciting week meeting the artist in residence Serena Supplee http://www.serenasupplee.com/ and watching a French film crew shoot part of a documentary at the Great Gallery. We also met two geologists http://www.usu.edu/geo/luminlab/ and an archaeologist, Jerry Spangler http://archive.archaeology.org/0709/abstracts/dirtraker.html who were being interviewed for the film. We spoke to almost 200 visitors, many of which shared their knowledge and experiences in the canyonlands. We also enjoyed the amazing scenery of the area.
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