San Rafael Swell, Utah, Part 2 - April 2, 2007 (Re-run)

 While the San Rafael Swell formed as a solid dome, on the eastern side of the dome the earth's crust actually broke, creating a 75 mile long ridge of jagged rock.  Some of the early explorers here apparently had spent time at sea, and they saw the earth's uplift as being similar to a reef.  They called it San Rafael Reef and the name stuck.  Much like other monoclines or anticlines we've discussed here, the Reef is bisected by numerous canyons, some of which are popular with hikers because they don't require special skills or equipment to traverse.  The first one I hiked is called Wild Horse Canyon.

To reach the eastern entry to Wild Horse Canyon, one must leave the mesa where the road is located and walk across a broad wash.  Depending on where one gets information about the hike, round trip distance is said to be anywhere from 6.3 to 9.7 miles.  I really don't know how far I walked, but I did come out on the western end of the canyon, then backtracked to the parking area.

Much of Wild Horse Canyon is open, but there are at least two sections of narrows.  I found several pools of water, none presenting any difficulty.  All of the canyon was scenic, and not knowing what was ahead made it an adventure.

San Rafael Swell, Utah, Part 1 - April 2, 2007 (Re-run)

 The San Rafael Swell is a huge tract in the Utah desert, some 3000 square miles of mesas, gorges, spires, canyons and other incredible land formations.  It all started 60 million years ago, when a geologic uplift created an anticline shaped like a dome, which early settlers referred to as a "swell".  Water and wind have been doing their magic ever since, slicing and dicing the sandstone into what it is today.  This area has all the features of the five Utah national parks, but somehow manages to fly below the radar.  While many Utah residents take advantage of its recreational opportunities, not that many others are aware of it.  Consequently, one can do and see things here like in the national parks, but without the crowds, lines, reservations, etc faced in those parks.

Interstate 70 runs through the Swell, which explains why it was the last built, and most expensive, section of the original interstate system.  In my opinion, it is also some of the most beautiful interstate highway.  Other trails and roads provide access to the far reaches, but much of it requires 4WD or at least high clearance.  Evidence of several early cultures can be found throughout the region, where some of the most significant rock art adorns cliffs and boulders.  In the 1940s, America's thirst for uranium led numerous miners to this region to mine the precious metal, and remains of such activity are scattered about, adding to the historic value of the Swell.

Since this was my first time exploring here, I hardly knew where to start, but somehow got onto North Temple Wash, used as a "road" by those vehicles able to travel it.  In addition to amazing scenery, such as North Temple Mountain itself, we found old shacks and automobile ruins, abandoned years ago by uranium miners, as well as beautiful pictographs left behind by ancient cultures.  Unfortunately, the art has been vandalized to an extent by cowboys using the images for target practice, and by more modern people who couldn't resist adding their mark to history.