A Swell trip :D

Kris K

Kris K

4x4 Addict!
Location
Heber City, UT
So I've been thinking of planning a trip though the Swell for my Dad as far back as I could remember when ever we would go across I-70, and cross Eagle Canyon he would always say I heard there’s a road down there I’d like to find it and check it out. So I thought now that I have my 4runner maybe I could help him out.

So I’m starting to plan a 2-day one-night route through the Swell that my 4runner can handle, and that includes Eagle Canyon. Now the problem, the 4runner is my wife’s DD so If I dent/scratch it I’m DEAD. From what I’ve read Eagle Canyon will be the hardest section so far in the route I’ve attentively planned out. We will have two full days to do what we want. I have no clue as to how long it takes to do these roads/trails so any help would be great.

Here’s what I have planned so far. I still need to figure out where to camp one night.

I’m planning on leaving from Nephi, and heading to Castle Dale. From Castle Dale on the Green River Cutoff Rd taking that to the Cottonwood Wash/Buckhorn Wash Rd south to Heart of Sinbad. Then south to Mckay Flat/Hondu Rd. From there to the Hidden Splendor mine, then back to Mckay Flat/ Hondu Rd west to Reds Canyon Rd then back to Rod’s Valley Rd north to Swasey Cabin then NW to Eagle Canyon. Then I’d like to check out Copper Globe mine then travel back on the Moore Cutoff Rd probably back to Castle Dale for fuel then head to Nephi. I’m afraid I have too much planned for the time I have ( that’s why I’m asking) If I have to I can cut out any part of the trip.

I've planned most of this with the San Rafael Swell self guided driving tour brochure. Also with a National Geographic map of the Swell.
 
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You can make pretty good time on pretty much all of those roads, it will just depend on how much time you want to spend exploring the different areas. I don't see any reason why your 4 runner would be in danger of any body damage on those routes.
 
Cody said:
You can make pretty good time on pretty much all of those roads, it will just depend on how much time you want to spend exploring the different areas.
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We do plan on stopping, and checking out some of the old mines/ indian writings. Anyone have Suggestions on any must see spots along this route. I'm fine with taking some spur trails to see some cool stuff, or must see mines.
 
Your 4runner should be just fine on Eagle Canyon, i had no issues with my 30" tires ;) I do have sliders but didn't use them at all on our last trip totalling 340ish miles on dirt/rock... Including The Devil's Racetrack ;)

Make sure to venture to the caves out behind the Swazey Cabin. They're fun to hike to and check out... Including an old water basin from the early 1900's

Also, if you need to cut things out try to make it to the Copper Globe mine.. That place is really cool, and has alot to offer.

You guys'll have a blast. Are you going in your one vehicle? Or is your dad going to be in another vehicle? Just curious...

I'd recommend some spare fuel, just in case... I got throttle happy in the soft stuff, anyways.. Well, most the time I was full throttle :)
 
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SAMI said:
Your 4runner should be just fine on Eagle Canyon, i had no issues with my 30" tires ;) I do have sliders but didn't use them at all on our last trip totalling 340ish miles on dirt/rock... Including The Devil's Racetrack ;)

Make sure to venture to the caves out behind the Swazey Cabin. They're fun to hike to and check out... Including an old water basin from the early 1900's

You guys'll have a blast. Are you going in your one vehicle? Or is your dad going to be in another vehicle? Just curious...

I'd recommend some spare fuel, just in case... I got throttle happy in the soft stuff, anyways.. Well, most the time I was full throttle :)
Click to expand...

Thanks,

Most likely it will just be us two in one rig. I'm going to try, and talk my Brother into going with his stock Liberty, but I doubt he will go.

I'm just planning on hitting the more traveled trails for now then try, and get in a group thats going down to see more of the swell.
 
You've got a great trip planned... You'll see some great areas... Lot's of history.. I want to go down again soon..

I think it was Cottonwood Wash that I was hitting around 70-80mph

Here's the bottom of Eagle Canyon... btw, did you catch Paul R's trip report about our trip down to the Swell about a month ago?

100_1837.jpg
 
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SO from looking at some maps of the area some show the Lucky Strike Mine just off of the Red Canyon Rd, But some show it off of the Copper Globe Mine Rd. Which is right?
I'm guessing it's off of the Red Canyon Rd, going off of the SRS self guided tour book.
 
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