overland

San Rafael Swell Adventure, April 3 – 8, 2025

D

Dan Hegstad

Trail Grom
Joined
Aug 6, 2024
Messages
11
*** You must have a ticket to attend this event ***

San Rafael Swell Adventure Route
April 3 – 8, 2025
250+ miles
Maximum of 6 participants.

GPX File: [coming soon]

Meeting Location:
April 3 @ 9am
We’ll meet on April 3 at 9:00 am at the start of the trail, an unmarked dirt road on Interstate 70 (about 50 feet past mile marker 147 heading west), which is the beginning of Black Dragon Canyon.

This is an excellent route for everyone, from beginners to seasoned. We will travel at a moderate pace, taking time for lunch and exploring.
The route is not too difficult, and the scenery is outstanding. Please read the description for a more complete description of the route and trail ratings.

Vehicle: You'll need a high clearance 4x4 (think 4Runner TRD), and even better if you have rock sliders (you may use them!). You should have an appropriate vehicle in good condition, extra fuel, provisions, radio, your camping gear, recovery and safety equipment, and clothing covering a wide variety of weather.

Fuel: There are options for refueling and reprovisioning, although they are off the planned route.
No permits are required.
Pets: Well-behaved dogs are allowed.
Medical Info / Emergency Contact: Please print a copy of pertinent medical info and emergency contact info (at least two persons) on a card/piece of paper and have this attached to your visor.
Comms: GMRS channel 15, freq 462.550
Firearms: This is a family-friendly event. We ask that you leave your firearm at home or keep it stowed away in your vehicle at all times. It is your responsibility to be informed of any local regs pertaining to firearms.
 
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I'll be there and looking forward to it! Bringing my mellow 11YO aussie.

- Bryan B.
 
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@Dan Hegstad @Trailynn was inquiring about the planned route. Is it safe to say that you'll follow the route guide we have on the website, effectively starting at Black Dragon Canyon? One thing to note, is the last couple of miles on the track that take you over towards the head of sinbad petroglpyhs. If you have a full sized truck with the group, you likely won't fit under the freeway underpass. There is an alt route to the east that will get you back on the interstate and over to Head of Sinbad if the group wants to check it out.
 
I'll be there! Thanks for leading this event!

- Lynne G.
 
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Dan Hegstad said:
*** You must have a ticket to attend this event ***

San Rafael Swell Adventure Route
April 3 – 8, 2025
250+ miles
Maximum of 6 participants.

GPX File: [coming soon]

Meeting Location:
April 3 @ 9am
We’ll meet on April 3 at 9:00 am at the start of the trail, an unmarked dirt road on Interstate 70 (about 50 feet past mile marker 147 heading west), which is the beginning of Black Dragon Canyon.

This is an excellent route for everyone, from beginners to seasoned. We will travel at a moderate pace, taking time for lunch and exploring.
The route is not too difficult, and the scenery is outstanding. Please read the description for a more complete description of the route and trail ratings.

Vehicle: You'll need a high clearance 4x4 (think 4Runner TRD), and even better if you have rock sliders (you may use them!). You should have an appropriate vehicle in good condition, extra fuel, provisions, radio, your camping gear, recovery and safety equipment, and clothing covering a wide variety of weather.

Fuel: There are options for refueling and reprovisioning, although they are off the planned route.
No permits are required.
Pets: Well-behaved dogs are allowed.
Medical Info / Emergency Contact: Please print a copy of pertinent medical info and emergency contact info (at least two persons) on a card/piece of paper and have this attached to your visor.
Comms: GMRS channel 15, freq 462.550
Firearms: This is a family-friendly event. We ask that you leave your firearm at home or keep it stowed away in your vehicle at all times. It is your responsibility to be informed of any local regs pertaining to firearms.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Dan! I am looking forward to attending this event.
 
Good afternoon, everyone. Patrick Stewart here and looking forward to joining you for the San Rafael Swell trip. I ran a bit of the trails on the south end last June and want to explore more of the area. And what‘s a trail grom
 
Dan and everyone - I’m already in the area. Just emerge from five days in the Maze and now exploring other. Areas. I’ll be in and out of cell service and internet for sure. Please text me at 415 342-3278 if there are any changes.
 
@pattoo2_-1888 Would love to see some photos of your Maze Adventure if you have some time! Trip Reports is a great place to post them ;)
 
Ben - I posted a trail report for the Maze but could not figure out how to attach my iPhone photos. One note said the format was invalid. I developed a shared album if you want to have access let me know. Maybe you can add several to the report.
 
@pattoo2_-1888 It may be the file type. I know FB does not like HEIC photos, so I usually have to download them as PNG or JPGs from my google photos account. I believe Xenforo (our forum software) also does not like HEIC photos. If you DM me the shared album link, I can likely download some JPGs and add them to your post to give it a bit of color ;)
 
The files are HEIC format. Sending them to you via Apple’s Mail Drop using your info@Overland Trail Guides. Let me know when/if you receive them. Text 415 342-3278
 
Heading out on this route with a few trucks tomorrow 4/14. Any route updates, insights, washouts etc from the recent trip? Much appreciated!
 
Pretty straight forward most of the trip. We started at Black Dragon Canyon at mile marker 147 about 15 miles west of Green River and went in a counterclockwise direction. Five suggestions/comments.
1) extra gas a must. Refill at Castledale about 15 miles off route and/or at Hanksville about 25 miles south from Temple Mountain campground. The slow travel in 4WD low took more gas than most of us realized. I carried 10 extra gallons and needed to refill at Hanksville. (2023 Tacoma TRD)
2) the stream bed and road intertwine going through Black Dragon Canyon. Hard to make the right choice at times for which was which. And we had the added pleasure of snow. 1744576553508.jpeg
3) excellent camp on large rock shelf beside trail at at 38.90749° N, 110.86646° W. Large enough for 4-5 rigs with great view. 1744576298725.jpeg
4) The connector between the first access point to I-70 and the Eagle Creek Bridge has a technical portion on the upper levels at a place called the Waterfall. Spotter needed there. 1744576659727.jpeg
5) Running low on gas we did not take the Little Wild Horse Canyon trail to Behind the Reef Road, but went to Temple Mountain campground via Temple Mountain Road. From there travelled Behind the Reef Road to Chute Canyon Trail Head. There was a discussion whether we should attempt the shelf road and decided not to after our leader got half way and was lucky to find a 5 point turn around. Two others bailed after 100 yards or so. A sign at the trailhead read Black Rated trail, Most Difficult. If you take the Little Horse Canyon Road, be aware of your gas gauge because you will need to backtrack if you decide not to descend the shelf road to Chute Canyon Trailhead.
Otherwise, this was a great trip. Thanks to Dan Hegstad for the planning for and leading this group.
 
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