San Rafael Swell

We had a great camping trip at the beginning of this month. We went to the San Rafael Swell. Such an awesome place and so many cool pictographs to see.


Day 1: 
Consisted of packing up cars and heading out. Driving and driving.... Our first stop was Cleveland-Loyd Dinosaur Quarry, and then on to many cool pictographs, the Wedge, a Dinosaur foot print, and a swinging bridge. Joe got our car stuck in the mud and it took about 45 min. to get him out. There went our plans for the campsite. Back up campsite here we come.  First night not too bad. Set up camp, had dinner, went to bed. 


Day 2:

More pictographs, Dutchman's Arch, Swasey's Cabin and Lucky Strike Mine Ghost Town. Then we reached a very muddy road, just a few miles from our 2nd campsite. Another back up campsite here we come. We then camped at Temple Mountain; a huge old mining area. 2nd night, set up camp, had dinner, made red ants angry, watched a storm roll in. It rained and rained almost all night long. Next morning took down camp, found very angry red ants. I guess they don't like it when they find carrots on the ground that are too big for their hole. After checking that everyone was ant free. Headed out for day 3 adventure.


Day 3:
Went to Goblin Valley, did a Geocach. Played around on the goblins. Then went to our first gas station in 2 days. WOW! After a fill up on gas and snacks, on to Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef National Park. Found both ways looking a little iffy. Decided to go to the visitor's center and find out the conditions of the roads and the possibility of more rain. Learned that Cathedral Valley had received rain for pretty much 7 days straight and there was no way anyone was going in (roads way to muddy). So took a drive around the main part of Capitol Reef and headed out to their campsite called Cedar Mesa. Again another back up campsite. That night the lightning was striking soooo close we had to take refuge in the cars till the storm passed. Pretty cool I thought, but wouldn't be as cool if I was stuck in the tent. Yikes!


Day 4:
Brought more time spent in Capitol Reef. Hiked to the Hickman Arch and to the Goose-necks. Also, checked out some dinosaur prints, then headed home. Made a stop in Bicknell for dinner.


What a trip! It was a ton of fun and Joe's brother took video of pretty much the whole thing. Can't wait for him to edit it and turn it into a DVD.


Here are a few pictures from our trip:

The Explorers

On our anniversary

My Nephews

Dutchman's Arch

Goblin Valley

My Friend Sara and I

Of course I had to bring something back for James