San Rafael Swell Oct 6-10th

sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Outside of Goblin Valley, I've never been to the swell. I'll be heading there the night of Oct 6th-10th. Where are your favorite places to go in the swell? I'm down for some camping, easy slot canyoning, hiking, driving, and exploring.

You're welcome to join me if you have a good attitude and you're friendly. I'm not seeking hardcore rock crawling trails, but I'm not opposed to them either. I'm down to spend a day in moab as well.

Here's the schedule:

Oct 6 PM: camp outside of Goblin Valley

Oct 7 AM: Hike Ding & Dang Canyons (killer slot canyons with lots of rock scrambling)
Oct 7 Noon: ??
Oct 7 PM: ??

Oct 8 AM: ??
Oct 8 PM: ??

Oct 9 AM: ??
Oct 9 Noon: ??
Oct 9 PM: ??

Oct 10 AM: ??
Oct 10 Noon: ??
Oct 10 PM: drive back home


Attendees:
- sixstringsteve + wife


Potential Attendees:
 
I ordered about 3 books on trails in the swell from Amazon, but they haven't arrived yet.

I'm using this post to store my notes.

I'm thinking of baptist draw, music canyon, indian writing, eagle canyon, muddy creek?, miner's hollow.

http://www.sanrafaelswell.org/gallery/display.php?group=11&index=0&gsi=10

wedge overlook --> buckhorn wash --> ding and dang


http://www.4x4now.com/trutss.htm
http://www.utahoutventures.com/offroad/4x4escalante.htm
http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/adventures/0807_4wd_san_rafael_swell_off_road/viewall.html
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/uta...g_Trails_and_Maps_For_4x4_Trucks_4WD_SUVs.htm

http://www.expeditionutah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149

http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/app...parkname=Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

http://spinnin4s.50.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=775&start=10
 
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If I wasn't already canyoneering in Zion that weekend I would be all over this. That should be fun.
 
I love the swell! Oh man I wish I could tag along.

You may as well head in from the top and check out the Wedge overlook then drive down through the Buckhorn on your way to Ding and Dang. That is an awesome route for someone who hasn't been. Have you hiked the slots in the actual Goblin Valley park before? They're pretty awesome. As for the reef I wouldn't want to take my dog through Dang, but you might be alright if Fender is comfortable being suspended in a harness--people have done it in the past--my Golden is too heavy and stubborn for that :D Have fun!
 
Cool, thanks for the advice Andrew. I've done little wildhorse with Fender before, and he loved it. Is Ding and Dang much worse? I don't think he'll be thrilled about being suspended, but we have a harness, and he only weighs 30 lbs, so he'll be ok.

I hiked a little dirt slot from the Goblin Valley parking lot to the valley of the goblins, but it was all dirt, no rock. Are there other places to check out?
 
He'd be fine through Ding, but Dang has some really big drops compared to the other canyons--one actually has a rope attached. Its an awesome canyon though worth checking out even if you have to turn around.
 
If you take your dog through ding and dang please pack out his poop. I am sure you planned on it. Also, on that wash road out to ding and dang you can see some really good examples of coconut gypsum in the walls.

If at the wedge look across the canyon and at the base of some of the cliffs you will see additional pictographs. I think a snake and some others. You will need a spotting scope or some good binoculars.
 
cool, thanks Mesha. we always bring poop bags when we take the dog anywhere, especially camping. but a good reminder nonetheless.
 
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